After yesterday’s All-NBA teams announcements, a lot of reactions appeared on social networks. Many of the fans are debating over certain players and their rank after the voting.
Yes, we have to say that some of the voting results are a bit odd, but that is what it is. What drew our attention, as well as the majority of the fans across the globe was Klay Thompson’s reaction to the news that he isn’t among top three lineups in the league.
When one of the reporters told him that his name wasn’t among 15 best players in the league, Thompson was evidently disappointed.
“I mean that’s cool and all,” said Klay, but obviously upset, “but like when you go to five straight Finals, I respect those guys, but when you go to five straight, it takes more than just a couple All-NBA guys.”
The reason for his reaction was probably the fact that he isn’t going to be able to sign a supermax contract with the Warriors, which would be $221 million. Instead, the organization can now offer $30 million fewer for the period of next five years.
To be honest, he lost a lot of money here.
And now comes the big question. Did Klay earn the spot in, at least, third All-NBA team?
Thompson has been averaging 21.5 points throughout 78 games played this season. He spent 34 minutes on the floor and had 46.7% from the field, 40.2% for three.
He had several records tied or set. For example against the Los Angeles Lakers, Thomspon made his opening 10 three-point shots before missing the first one, and tied Ty Lawson’s record.
Prior to that, he set a new record scoring 14 shots from downtown against the Bulls in late October. So we need to say that this guy had superb performances, and yet he sacrificed his place in the team’s game plans more than any other teammate in GSW. Why do we say that? Because he lost the most since Durant landed in Oakland. Klay’s primary thing in Warriors’ game now is not scoring, as odd that might sound to you. It is the defense.
And even in that aspect of the game, he was excellent. For the first time in his career the fantastic defensive efforts this guy provides every night were recognized, and Thompson reached the All-Defensive second team.
Now, about his place in the All-NBA team. Klay was the eighth among guards, the second one outside the list. Names in front of him were Curry, Harden, Lillard, Irving, Westbrook and Kemba Walker.
For one second, we need to ask all of the readers, what separated Kyrie Irving, who is by the way in the second All-NBA team, from Thompson? Or Kemba Walker who is in the third?
Kyrie might have better numbers, but be sure that his impact on the game was not positive as much as Klay’s. And all the stories coming from around the Celtics’ locker room are suggesting that Uncle Drew was in fact, the main factor for Boston’s struggle this season.
On the other side, Kemba was the leader of the Hornets’ the team which didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Yes, he did post 25.6 points, but when needed the most, he wasn’t that good. Clutch moments are something Charlotte’s playmaker isn’t very good at, and if you go back to some of his games, it is easy to see.
Some of the names from the list are fantastic individuals, but their ability to play for the team and put the collective goal in front of the personal, are far lower than Klay’s, and that is why it is very problematic to say that he didn’t deserve a place among top 6 guards in the league. And a $30 million bonus.
Yet, Thompson will forget all this if he gets something else at the end of the season.
A ring.
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
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Email: nikola@wagerbop.com
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