Asked on Monday about comments that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made about having patience with struggling stars like Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, Thompson responded with “some bite,” according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic.
“What, do you want him to bench me?” Thompson said. “Or bench Wigs?
“I mean, you can suggest it, that’s fine. But thank Steve, I guess, I don’t know. Sometimes you earn these things, like patience and time to find yourself. I think history is on our side when it comes to that stuff.”
Thompson’s 40.2% field goal percentage so far this season would be a personal career worst, as would Wiggins’ 41.7% mark. The Warriors’ five-man starting lineup that was so dominant last season hasn’t hit its stride so far this fall — Thompson, Wiggins, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney have a minus-14.4 net rating in 87 minutes. Still, Kerr reiterated earlier in the day on Monday that he has faith in his veterans.
“Having been a player myself, I always wanted my coaches to show confidence in me through a slump,” Kerr said, per Kawakami. “So I know how much that means to a player, when a coach stands by you. And then we just won a championship a year and a half ago with Wigs and Klay playing a huge role.”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Thompson’s contract negotiations – he’s on an expiring deal and is extension-eligible – are weighing on him, sources tell Kendra Andrews of ESPN. That may be one factor contributing to his slow start to the season.
- Andrews also hears from sources that Wiggins didn’t take the time necessary during the offseason to get back into game shape for the start of the 2023/24 campaign. That lack of physical conditioning annoyed some people within the organization, one team source tells ESPN.
- The Warriors figure to back Draymond Green, who will be returning on Tuesday from his five-game suspension, no matter what he does, a league source tells Andrews. A team source suggests to ESPN that the club lost leverage to discipline the volatile forward when it let him off relatively easy for punching Jordan Poole last fall.
- As Andrews explains, the Warriors’ tolerance for Green’s occasional antics may run out once he’s no longer an effective player, but that won’t happen this season, as he’s still the anchor of their defense.
Thing is Draymond is not showing signs of physically slowing down on the court so Warriors you have a problem… Thompson needs to be extended right away… Wigs will come around eventually… It’s a long season…
Why does Klank Thompson need to be extended right away?
Why should Klank Thompson be extended right away? The Warriors got lucky and were able to get out from under the Poole contract and you want to potentially get stuck with a worse contract that they would have an even tougher time dumping?…smh
You have to let Thompson’s contract run out and see what he can find on the open market and match it.
His suitors will be few. He’s strictly a jump shooter who doesn’t create for others nor himself off the dribble, and his defense has slipped from Elite to good.
In fact he can’t guard the ones and twos anymore, they’re putting him on power forwards lol.
No no, you don’t extend Klay. He plays out and sees what he can get next summer and the Warriors can match it or let him walk.
If Klay can get more than the warriors offer good for him. I just dont see any team paying him over $25 million a season. His defense now is average and he needs Curry for those open 3s. One of the factors with Klay is he invested a lot in crypto dollars and they have been losing value the last few years.
Signs were there last season as far as Thompson and I do recall saying so at the time. Sadly injury has robbed him. Agree gary sentimentality doesn’t win championships.
Harden you’re right, while he actually had a pretty good regular season but wow, he fell off a cliff in the playoffs. Two games in a row 3-15 then 3-18 from the field. Ouch. Totally ran out of gas and was ineffective.
The great thing about changing GMS from Bob Myers to Mike Dunleavy is that Mike is not married emotionally to Klay and would have less of a problem watching him walk out the door.
Klay is kind of a…won’t use that language here but he also isn’t wrong. People forget that continuity is as important as talent in many cases. Also with those headcases one bruised ego is enough to knock the whole ship off course.
Live by the sword, die by the sword!
Truth
Klay is facing what every player faces, but wants different treatment. Monta Ellis was the face of the Warriors before the current group and Lacob was booed after trading him. It was best for the franchise. David Lee was considered the talented vet at the beginning of the dynasty. Then some 2nd round pick named Draymond started taking his minutes. It was best for the franchise. Klay and the Warriors benefited from this and now that his skills are fading they need to do what’s best for the franchise, not Klay’s ego.
Last game they played I saw Kuminga coast on multiple plays and Klay just jogging on defense.
No fire. Talent is there. Maybe Green can light that fire again? If not, they are not a top 6 seed in the West.
It’s so sad just to see some of Steph’s teammates not dedicating themselves in the off season to be their best possible selves. Klay was out of shape last year, Wiggs this year … I get that sometimes real life is a priority but this is also their primary job.
If they aren’t putting in the work, then they should be open to any sort of criticism thrown at them.
The Warriors issues are easily solved with just two moves. First, move Kuminga into the starting lineup and give him 35 minutes every game. Second, fire Steve Kerr and make Andre Iguodala the head coach.
The Warriors issues can be solved with two moves. First, move Kuminga and Moody into the starting lineup and have them play 35 minutes every game. Second, fire Kerr and replace him with Iguodala
How many burner accounts do you have?
Warriors continue to be full of excuses when it comes to keeping Draymond in line.
Trade Paul and a 2nd to Detroit for Bojan, Hayes and Bagley