Klay Thompson Responds to Bench Role with Mavericks
This season, Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson has attracted more attention for his off-court relationships than his on-court performance, which remains underwhelming. Through eight games, he is averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.
Most notably, Thompson is shooting a career-low 34 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc, concerning numbers for one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.
Coaching Decision to Bench Thompson
Before Dallas’ recent game, coach Jason Kidd decided to bench Thompson to spark a change in the team’s dynamic. Although likely disappointed, Thompson has accepted the move without issue and maintains high expectations for his contributions moving forward.
“I don’t mind,” Thompson said about not starting, according to the Dallas Morning News. “I know it is.”
Thompson’s Perspective on His Role
Despite the shift, Thompson values his ongoing role with the team, whether as a starter or coming off the bench. He emphasized the difficulty of reaching this stage in a professional basketball career.
“I’m just happy to be here, my friend,” Thompson expressed. “Because it’s hard to even make it this far in this business. It’s hard, especially as time goes on. It’s like the scene in Sandlot at the end, where they fade to the background. It’s kind of surreal.”
Summary
Klay Thompson accepts his bench role with maturity, focusing on his continued presence in the league despite a slow start to the season.