Klay Thompson: I'm the best shooting guard in the NBA

When Harden just STANDS 3-4 feet beyond the 3pt line, it will be hard for ANYONE to create for him.

 

I didn't see this.

I saw a game where the Thunder owned the paint, scored off tons of offensive rebounds, and in a lot of cases made unguarded layups.

The Warriors won by the 3 point shot alone, like we've never seen before.

This is absolutely true.

 

Consider this. If defense is half the game, passing is half the offense game. Harden is far superior passer (and ball-handler) than Klay, is Klay half the offensive player Harden is?

And I just don't see Klay being that good on defense, if that's were true why does he consistently put up bad defensive numbers? It's not like Kawhi or Danny Green or Draymond Green can't prove their defensive prowess by numbers, everybody says Klay is a good defender, but there's been no objective proof of that. It's like saying someone is a good offensive player when he averages 8 points per game on 40% shooting.

Harden has to face smothering defense every day by virtue of being our entire offense, can Klay maintain his level of performance as a no.1 guy without almost no help? Every team has to pick their poison, focus on stopping Curry or focus on stopping Klay? They both are benefiting from playing together. Same goes for Durant and WB. People underestimate just how much defensive pressure Harden has to go against every game.

 

Harden would look so much better if he has a real PG running next to him.
Worthless Bev brings everyone down but especially Harden.

Harden has to create for himself and create for others as well. It would be nice if someone could get him some easy buckets and make the game easier for him.

 

Klay putting the ball on the floor is exactly what the other teams want. He is horrible once he starts dribbling. Even last night in what was arguably the best night of his life, he was only 3 for 12 on shots that weren't 3-pointers, with zero assists.

He sure did shoot last night though...dang, that mess was crazy.

 

keep trying dude. I give you A for effort.

 

We've seen Harden try to move off the ball earlier this season and it was an unmitigated disaster.

We don't set great screens, we have no system, we don't have any playmakers & there's no superstar to distract the defense from James.

 

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Harden turned a starting lineup consisting Dwight, Ariza, Beverley & Corey Brewer into a Top 10 offense literally by himself.

I can assure you that's never happening with Klay Thompson leading a team.

By the way, it's 2016 & people still think defense is 50/50 of the game. LOL. Klay & his overrated D would get exposed on a bad team.

 

the best 2 guard in the league was on fire yesterday . Legendary playoff performance

 

searched head-to-head match up, just confirms the obvious truth. Harden is a better payer, Klay plays on a better team.

 

Harden's not allowed to have the game made easier for him.

 

And he played defense too. How is it possible that he wasn't exhausted and needed a nap?

 

Klay might have a case for being the best shooting, shooting guard in the NBA but best overall? LOL

 

let them keep propping up Klay, it just exposes how much talent and help Curry is surrounded with

 

I really like Thompson and what he did last night was insane. One of the most clutch performances in the playoffs. However, I don't believe he is the best shooting guard in the league.

He can't create his own shot:

Klay was on fire from beyond the arc last night, but the majority of his shots were spot-up jumpers assisted by Curry or another teammate. That's why he was 3-for-12 from the field on non-3-point shots.

Let's look at some stats.

Career Assisted Percentage:
Klay Thompson - .656 (2-PT FGs) .929 (3-PT FGs)
James Harden - .238 (2-PT FGs) .621 (3-PT FGs)

Clearly, Thompson has benefited hugely playing alongside Curry and his high 3-point assisted percentage reflects how he's a gloried spot-up shooter in the Warriors offense. That's why Klay can't put the ball on the floor and make a shot while driving to the basket. At best, Klay reminds me a lot of Peja Stojakovic in terms of deadly long range shooting, but not a huge threat when put in isolation one-on-one with a good defender and asked to score. Bottom line, that's not good enough to be considered best at any position in the NBA.

 

I think it depends on who the other SGs in the league are. I wouldn't say the fact that he's an off-the ball guy disqualifies him, considering that he's so good at it. Elite shooter and good on-ball defender as well.

 

I dont know why its counted against Klay when most of his shots are assisted. He plays within a system that makes his team successful. Why is he penalized for that and why does it make him less of a great player? If Harden had been put into a system like that he wouldnt know how to conform and play off the ball. He should not be praised for being able to score on his own but at the same time play losing basketball (an offense that relies on ISOs)

 

Why iso one and one? This isn't 90's basketball. One and one iso is why Thunders let this become a game 7 series.

You forgot about the Portland series where he averaged 31 points and shot over 50% FG and 50 % in 3's without Curry?

 

Because every past and current superstars can score and create on their own, their greatness doesn't depend on the system per se. And it's completely false that Harden can't play within a system, Harden was amazing in OKC playing with Durant and WB, put up incredibly efficient numbers (17 PPG on 66 TS%) and was basically the second best player on that team despite being a sixth man (had higher WS, WS/48, BPM, VORP, TS% than Westbrook.)

That is the kind of Harden you get when you pair him up with legit superstars, diverting away some of the defensive pressures off of him. We haven't done that since he came here to Houston. You can't blame Harden for ISO-ing so much, when we don't even have requisite players to build a good functioning system in which Harden can thrive. We don't have good enough passers other than Harden to have a 'system'. That's why Draymond Green is huge for GSW.