Former NBA player Jeff Teague made interesting claims for Klay Thompson‘s all-time resume being comparable to Dwyane Wade‘s on a recent episode of “Club 520 Podcast”.
A majority of the discussion centered around Thompson becoming a third option on the Warriors, something that never happened to Wade during his time with the Miami Heat. This was supported by the career statistics of both players. However, Teague defended Thompson’s case and said:
“Klay got hurt at the prime of his life,” said Teague. “He was playing the best basketball of his life, and he tore his ACL and popped his achilles.”
“They’re two different players,” he added. “DWade’s really a point guard. DWade was a point guard. I just put him at the two because people say he’s a two guard. But he played the point. He had the ball in his hands, he came of pick-and-rolls. That’s what he did. He’s a point guard. They just labelled him as a two guard.”
“Klay Thompson is a pure two guard. I come off pin-downs. I shoot threes.“
In this regard, Thompson draws closer comparisons to Ray Allen than Wade.
Jeff Teague says Klay Thompson’s all-time résumé can be compared to Dwyane Wade’s
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Both Klay Thompson and Dwyane Wade had phenomenal NBA careers, although Thompson is still an active player. Wade was a perennial All-Star with the Miami Heat, and although he teamed up with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, he was consistently viewed as a first, if not a second option for the team on offense.
Meanwhile, Thompson has been viewed as one of the greatest shooters of all time. Paired with a running mate in Stephen Curry for the majority of his career, Thompson was effectively a second option. But that didn’t make him any less crucial to the Warriors’ dynasty.
Comparing Klay Thompson’s and Dwyane Wade’s Careers
Both Klay Thompson and Dwyane Wade have enjoyed successful NBA careers. Thompson joined the Warriors in 2011 as the 11th pick in the draft. Meanwhile, Wade was part of the historic 2003 draft and was selected fifth overall by the Miami Heat.
Over the span of his 11-year career, Thompson has achieved many things. He’s a four-time NBA champion, a five-time All-Star, earned two All-NBA selections, and was part of the 2018-19 All-Defensive team. Since he is still playing, he can’t be inducted to the Hall of Fame, but it was accepted in many circles that he was snubbed from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Meanwhile, Wade has an incredible resume of his own. He has three NBA titles along with one Finals MVP to his name, 13x All-Star selections, eight All-NBA nods, three All-Defensive selections, the 2008-09 scoring title, and, along with being in the Hall of Fame, he was also part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Dwyane Wade’s career accomplishments overshadow Thompson’s on paper. However, this doesn’t negate what the latter has accomplished.
The 5x All-Star continues to build upon his legacy now with the Dallas Mavericks. Playing alongside Anthony Davis, Thompson played a crucial role in seeing his team through to the final round of the Play-In tournament.
Coming up against the Memphis Grizzlies to secure a playoff berth, the Mavericks will look to Thompson to deliver another throwback performance on Friday at 9:30 pm ET.
