Mavericks’ Klay Thompson points brutally sincere message to doubters after preseason debut

DALLAS — Klay Thompson made his Dallas Mavericks preseason debut on Thursday evening. Thompson’s first level got here through a free-throw whereas he linked on a three-pointer for his first made basket. He solely performed within the first half because the Mavs ease him again into motion, as Thomas completed the sport with 10 factors on 3-9 taking pictures from the sector and 3-5 taking pictures from past the arc. He added three assists.

One aspect of Thompson’s sport that has been questioned over the previous couple years is his protection. Thompson believes he can nonetheless defend at a good stage and he desires to show his doubters flawed.

“Nicely, it is very nice when you will have nice offensive gamers like Luka (Doncic) and Kai (Kyrie Irving), you do not really feel like it’s a must to shoulder the load as a lot on that facet of the ball,” Thompson mentioned. “I can type of get again to guarding like I’ve up to now. I nonetheless wish to, , do away with that notion that I am not the identical defender as I as soon as was. I actually consider I’m. I am excited to show individuals flawed that I can nonetheless guard the elite gamers on this league.

“I believed it (Thursday’s sport) was a very good step in the fitting course for me. Simply difficult the ball-handler and switching onto whoever. I take nice pleasure in guarding. I am excited to do no matter it takes to assist this crew.”

He performed nicely for essentially the most half in his Mavs preseason debut. Thompson admitted he was nervous for the sport given all the hype surrounding his transfer to Dallas.

“I used to be nervous for like, 4 days,” Thompson mentioned. “I have not been that nervous I do not suppose for the reason that 2015 Finals Recreation 1.”

Jason Kidd addresses Klay Thompson’s first Mavericks sport

The Mavs have been defeated by the Utah Jazz 107-102. Dallas is now 0-2 within the preseason. However, Mavs followers have been joyful to see Thompson make his Mavs preseason debut. In fact, his common season debut when the video games begin counting is not going to come till October 24, however Mavericks followers nonetheless needed to see him in motion.

Mavs head coach Jason Kidd shared his ideas on Thompson’s play.

“It was good,” Kidd mentioned of Thompson’s Mavs preseason debut. “He had some nice appears to be like. I believed he did an amazing job within the 18 minutes that he performed. I believed he had some nice appears to be like and he obtained going there behind the arc.”

The pick-and-pop was a pattern all through the sport for Thompson. He set a variety of screens and proceeded to finish up behind the three-point line. So will that be a method shifting ahead for the Mavs?

“I feel it is simply the blokes getting used to enjoying with Klay… Simply understanding that is one thing he is accomplished his complete profession,” Kidd mentioned. “For his motion, I believed his motion was a constructive. So I feel for a primary sport it was actually good.”

Klay Thompson and the Mavericks will look to earn their first win of the preseason on Monday towards the Clippers in Los Angeles.