Klay Thompson gets emotional after latest Warriors victory
The Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trailblazers on Friday
night, but you wouldn't have known it to look at Klay Thompson
>Injured Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson (11) sits alone on the
bench after the Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase
Center on November 26, 2021, in San Francisco. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
>Injured Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson (11) sits alone on the
bench after the Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase
Center on November 26, 2021, in San Francisco. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By JANNELLE MOORE |
PUBLISHED: November 27, 2021 at 12:29 p.m. | UPDATED: November 27, 2021
at 12:35 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/11/27/klay-thompson-gets-emotional-after-latest-warriors-victory/

Sitting on the bench long after the crowd had cleared out of Chase
Center, his head draped in a towel, Klay Thompson battled his emotions.

His return from two devastating injuries and a 2 1/2-year layoff could
happen next month. He has recently been cleared for five-on-five play.

But it still doesn’t erase the pain of the past 30 months. That was
clear as Thompson sat on the bench 20 minutes after the final horn
Friday night, a picture that stood in stark contrast to another Warriors
victory, their 17th in 19 games this season.

“Two-plus years is a long time,” Stephen Curry said. “Going into this
particular season and him getting closer to getting back on the floor
kind of predicted that this would be the hardest part of his journey.
We’re talking weeks instead of months now. Super proud of his approach.”

Coach Steve Kerr sympathizes with Thompson, who will turn 32 in February.

“I try to put myself in his shoes,” Kerr said. “The good news is he’s
nearing the finish line, but he can’t help but think how much he’s lost
the last couple of years. Not being able to play and be part of the team
the way he wants to. It’s been pretty emotional for him.”

More observations from the 118-103 victory over the Portland Trailblazers::

- Curry’s Coverage

Portland’s defense Curry wasn’t something he hasn’t seen before.
Granted, it was more aggressive than in recent seasons but nothing out
of the ordinary for most of the game.

“We see blitzes all the time. So we know how to handle it,” Curry said.
“It’s about making the right decisions, quick decisions and good
spacing. Honestly, it’s a hard way to play defense for 48 minutes, so
you kind of just stick with the program and over time, good looks will
happen.”

It could be said that the Blazers cracked for a stretch in the first and
second quarters. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups put Tony Snell on Curry
with no help whatsoever. The result? Curry blows by the big for four
points late in the first and a few more baskets and looks in the second

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.. The Blazers left the weak side exposed, and Curry capitalized by
driving to the basket and scoring in the paint.

While single coverage is a brave strategy, it’s not as if the Blazers
had a choice. Jordan Poole can make defenses pay when he slashes and
drives to the paint. Andrew Wiggins has dialed up his intensity on
offense, so Portland had to account for him. Draymond Green can’t be
completely ignored offensively anymore. With capable scorers on the
floor, the Blazers had no alternative but to deploy single coverage
for Curry. The real question, however, is why the Blazers deployed Snell
instead of someone such as Gary Trent, Jr. or Robert Covington?

- Separation in the Second

The Warriors withstood a Portland charge at the start of the second
quarter, but a 16-2 run to finish the quarter put them up by 14 at
halftime. Golden State’s defense locked down and locked in. As always,
defense turned into offense. The Warriors scored 17 points off of seven
Portland turnovers in the half. Curry and Poole traded threes while
adding more points in the paint. In addition to the Warriors’ defense,
their commitment to split action on offense was a factor. It’s what
helped them jump out to a 20-point lead in the second.

“We had a good stretch near the end of the game,” Kerr said. “Obviously,
it’s tough guarding Steph off of those splits. You just got to figure
out ways to score when you’re struggling a little bit.”

- Wiggins/Green Budding Chemistry

Close to the middle of the third quarter, Green found Wiggins for the
lob to push the Warriors’ lead to 20. For many games, Green and Wiggins
have been developing strong chemistry in pick-and-roll situations. When
Thompson returns, this combo will become even more potent since
Thompson’s presence will open up more spacing for more pick-and-roll
opportunities.

--
Jannelle Moore | Guest Analyst