The 2023-24 season has been a rough one for Klay Thompson, as he has struggled mightily on the court for the Golden State Warriors. Thompson has cut a frustrated figure at various points in this campaign, and a video has now gone viral of him kicking a chair and then ignoring Stephen Curry.
LEAKED Video Of Klay Thompson Kicking A Chair At Warriors Coach & Ignoring Steph Curry😬 (12/13/23) pic.twitter.com/QKjnevIAe6
— LegendZ (@legendz_prod) February 7, 2024
As per this user, this incident occurred during the Warriors’ 119-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns in December. Klay finished that night with 7 points and 5 rebounds while going 2-10 from the field. You would understand why he would be so frustrated with how much he was struggling on the court.
Unfortunately for Thompson, rough nights like that one have come with great regularity this season. The 33-year-old is averaging just 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2023-24. He has also shot only 41.5% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc, with both being career lows for him.
At this point, the writing seems to be on the wall and even head coach Steve Kerr appears to be losing faith in Thompson. Kerr has opted not to have the five-time All-Star on the court late in games a few times recently, and Klay admitted he was upset over not closing games for the Warriors.
The fact of the matter is if Thompson had played better and been more consistent, he would be out there in the big moments. The Warriors just can’t rely on him at the moment, and he has to start performing at a higher level to regain that trust.
Steve Kerr Says Klay Thompson Has To Adapt To Changed Circumstances
Following Thompson’s admission that he was not happy about being benched in the closing stages, Kerr stated the guard has to adapt to changed circumstances.
“[Klay] is still a very good player. He still represents something for us. The floor spacing, the defense, the versatility. It’s just different. Part of the challenge for him and us is to adapt to those changed circumstances.”
"[Klay] is still a very good player. He still represents something for us. The floor spacing, the defense, the versatility. It's just different. Part of the challenge for him and us is to adapt to those changed circumstances."
– Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson with @WillardAndDibs.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 7, 2024
Every great player eventually gets to a point in their career where they have to come to the realization they’re just not who they once were. They have to accept the fact that their teams might just be better off in some situations when they’re not out there. It’s a lot easier said than done, especially when you’re someone like Thompson, who has been a key piece to four title-winning teams in his career.
Kendrick Perkins Wants The Warriors To Trade Klay Thompson
Many have called for the Warriors to cut ties with Thompson, and former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins is of the same belief. On Tuesday, Perkins once again urged the Warriors to trade Thompson.
“I don’t understand why the Warriors won’t stop the bleeding. Trade Klay Thompson. I don’t think that he’s done, I think he’s mentally not there. This is probably gonna be his last opportunity to get his big bag.”
“In a world where people wanna call him washed and people wanna say he’s done, he has nothing left in the tank. I honestly don’t believe that.”
Perkins has maintained that Klay not getting an extension this past offseason is a big reason why he has struggled so much in this campaign. He believes there is gas left in the tank but thinks a change in scenery is required.
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