Klay Thompson will begin a new chapter in his career this season, joining the Dallas Mavericks to help transform the team into a championship-winning franchise after their loss in the NBA Finals last season. Thompson spoke to the media at the 'Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic' on Saturday, candidly discussing why he joined the team and the title hopes he is bringing into the 2024-25 NBA season .
“I’m excited; it’s a whole new chapter of my career that has the potential to be really special. The team was so close last year—three wins away from a championship—so I know we have the ingredients for success. We just have to stay together and build week by week. I know we can do something special, and that’s why I’m here early, just to get a feel for the city and the lay of the land. And I’m having fun while doing it.”
"It’s been really cool. Just going around town, meeting random people, and hearing how excited they are for the upcoming season and how grateful they are that I’m here—it motivates me. Seeing how excited everyone is for Mavs basketball pushes me even harder when I get into the gym.”
Klay is coming off a season where he averaged 17.9 points. Despite low career-scoring numbers, Thompson shot 38.7% from three on 9.0 attempts per game, an absolutely elite marker of shooting skill. He did so as the No. 2 option in Golden State with strong defensive game plans built to limit his production.
In Dallas, Klay is a more anonymous offensive piece compared to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving , likely feeding off open catch-and-shoot looks provided by the players. If he can't be satisfied for the rest of the season, we might see Klay unleashed like never before
Klay Thompson Recalls Fond Memories Of The Mavs' 2011 Title Triumph
Thompson opened up on the sensational 2011 Championship win by the Dallas Mavericks where they beat the two-time reigning champions Lakers, the lethal OKC Thunder, and their infamous series win over the Miami Heat. The success of that title run is setting expectations in Klay's head that he hopes his level of play can back up.
"I saw just an incredible group that persevered through a low seed and beat some incredibly talented teams, whether it was Kobe Lakers or KD's Thunder and even the Heatles of Miami."
"It was just a run that was so inspiring and it was cool to watch that and try and replicate that in the upcoming season."
"I just got to Dallas and I want to have this in the back of my mind while I'm out here of why I did come here and that's to help uplift the city and try and win. There's no greater feeling, especially as a sportsman."
The Mavericks will be among the top four contenders for a title in the West but it seems people are still unconvinced about the fit of Thompson on the franchise. It'll be interesting to see how this season plays out for the Mavericks, especially with Kyrie Irving having the opportunity to hit free agency if he wants to.
Related: Mavericks' Mark Cuban Opens Up On The Addition Of Klay Thompson
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