Klay Thompson shines at the Las Vegas Olympic Training camp - NBA Update
Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, who will enter his second NBA season, impressed many analysts and players in the recently concluded training camp for the 2012 London Olympics.
Thompson has already established himself as a potent shooting guard and during the camp as part of the US Select Team, he gave a reflection of what the league can expect out of him in the years to come.
LeBron James, the reigning NBA MVP from Miami Heat, lavished him with praise;
"I like Klay. I think he's got one of the brightest young futures in our game," James said. "With his ability, the way he can shoot the ball and make plays, and with his size, Golden State's really got something in him."
James was not the only one impresses by the guard. Jay Triano, the Select Team coach, also saw good potential in the Warriors rookie;
"He shoots the ball especially well," Triano said. "He has a great release, great balance. At this level, the game is so much faster. But he was able to adapt, and he was still able to get his shot off."
Playing against the Olympic squad provided him with the opportunity to discover his weaknesses. He is a brilliant perimeter shooter, but on the defensive end requires some work.
"One of the best basketball experiences of my life," Thompson said. "I'm taking a lot from this experience. I know what I've got to work on now."
Klay is just 22, and with time, his game will evolve. But, he will have to toughen up and concentrate more on getting into the paint to make a shot through a contact. That will bring in the aspect of free throws in his game, and
given that he is a good shooter, the benefits can be plenty.
Klay had a lot of success in the last season. The number 11 pick played in all 66 games, starting 29 and finished with averages of 12.5 points, 2.4 boards and 2 assists. He was very much the reason behind the trade in which the
Bay Area franchise traded Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for oft-injured Andrew Bogut.
Thompson is now expected to start for the team next season and can be a very valuable asset for them in the years to come.
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