Dallas Mavericks forward Klay Thompson made headlines after his latest preseason performance, and not in an impressive way. The former Golden State Warriors sharpshooter didn't score a single bucket because he was atrocious from the field, shooting 0-9, including 0-6 from the three-point line, in 21 minutes.
Despite Klay's horrendous performance, the four-time champion is keeping his head up because these stats don't matter to him.
" My personal goals are to be great and to help this team win," Thompson told Sportskeeda. "I don't think about numbers or accolades or anything. I really don't, especially 14 years in. I had enough of those. "
Thompson wants to thrive in Dallas
Klay, who signed a three-year, 50-million dollar contract with the Mavericks during the summer, tries not to care about his stats because he knows his role will be different on a new team. Thompson understands that the Mavs aren't the Warriors, where he was a priority on offense; therefore, these stats don't define his productivity on the court.
In the first place, the reason why the 11-year veteran decided to take his talents to Dallas was because he felt it was the best place for him to win.
"I'm real blessed to play this game at a high level," he added. "It doesn't matter if it's in Dallas or in the Bay. I'm jumping in because I see the talent with this team, and there's a chance to do something special ," Thompson said.
The Mavericks , who represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals last season, improved their roster around the margins. Signing Thompson was their biggest move in the summer, but essentially, the team is still built around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. With the former Warriors' championship pedigree and ability to still score, the Mavs hope Klay can become a competent role player around their dynamic duo.
Related: Julius Erving believes no player is similar to him in the modern NBA: “I was a small forward, but I really played like a power forward”
No panic in the preseason
Thompson's stat line against the Los Angeles Clippers may have been horrible, but it's important to put context to it. First of all, Doncic and Irving didn't play, so that automatically made Klay the first option—something we won't see often with the Mavericks this year unless injuries happen.
Secondly, Thompson is still being integrated into Jason Kidd 's system, so it's going to take time for the five-time All-Star to familiarize himself with it. Remember, in Klay's debut with the Mavs alongside Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie orchestrating the offense, he put up ten points and three assists in 18 minutes. Suffice it to say that the California native's latest preseason game shouldn't indicate how his year with the Mavs will pan out.
"It's preseason. He's working his way through with a new group on the defensive end and offensive end," Kidd said . "So be patient, keep working. He's going to be ready to work on Wednesday. And it's really simple. He's getting looks. As shooters, you make some, you miss some. And so continue to keep working and have a good practice on Wednesday. No concern ."
If Thompson and Kidd aren't concerned, then everyone should chill out on the four-time champion, at least for now.
Related: "I'd be shocked if he sticks around the NBA scene" - Mychal Thompson thinks his son Klay will become a 'sea captain' after his career
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