The NBA is constantly evolving. With each passing season, the game is played a little differently and it can be a big adjustment for players who miss a few seasons.
In Golden State, Klay Thompson is set to face that reality soon and it won’t be long before he finds out for himself just how much the league has changed since his last game.
In a chat with the media, Draymond Green shed his thoughts on that discussion, joking that Thompson will have to play as a stretch forward when he finally does return to the court.
““It’s funny because me and Loon (Kevon Looney) joke about the positioning in the NBA today. We be joking with Klay (Thompson) like this ain’t the NBA you left, brother. You’re coming back, and you’re going to be a stretch forward,” Green told ClutchPoints.
“It’s just the way this league works. The point guards that were kind of hybrid guards are now 4s, maybe a 3, but they are not point guards anymore,” Green said.
Thompson, 31, is an important player for the Warriors. His shooting and defense were essential in bringing the Warriors their recent Championships.
In the 2019 Finals, Klay went down with an ACL injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the following season. Before he was able to fully recover, he tore his Achilles and missed even more time.
It’s been over two years since his last game, and much has changed since then.
Thanks to the advancement of perimeter shooting and a focus on small-ball, Klay may find he’s outgrown his shooting guard position.
Regardless, his return will be a welcome sight for the Warriors, who have already cemented themselves as one of the best teams in the West. With Thompson beside Steph, Wiggins, and Draymond, they are sure to be a contender for the title.
