Golden State Warriors superstar Klay Thompson is aiming to be an All-Star in his 13 years in the NBA. This will be his second season after returning from two career-threatening injuries in 2019 and 2020. The Warriors are also looking to win their fifth NBA title in nine years.
During the Warriors media day, Thompson spoke about his personal goals heading into the new season. He opened up on a lot of things which also had becoming an All-Star once again. But he understands the importance of starting the season on a positive note and carrying that momentum forward.
“It’s a goal of mine, and I think it’s attainable,” Thompson said. “It’s just how hard I want to work and how ready I’ll be opening night, so it’s up to me. I’m not going to lie to you, it is a goal of mine. It’s always an honor to play in the All-Star Game, and you get used to it.”
“And when you don’t go for a while, you kind of feel left out. I think it’s in Indianapolis this year, I would love to be there,” he added.
Thompson was a five-time All-Star from 2015 to 2019 before he got sidelined due to injury. He wasn’t named as All-Star in the next three seasons as he was nursing from two injuries.
Thompson averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season. While on some other season, these stats would be enough to be named as an All-Star but considering the depth of the Western Conference nowadays, things have changed drastically. So the 33-year-old will look to pump up his numbers and play much better in the upcoming season to fulfil his goal.
Speaking about his new teammate, Chris Paul, Thompson can’t wait to play with the veteran and combine to get some wide-open shots from his exquisite passing. “You love playing with a point guard like Chris who’s one of the greatest assist men in basketball history,” Thompson said on Media Day. “I know he’s gonna give me so many opportunities this year. I think he’s going to help us so much, especially from a leadership standpoint.”
The Golden State Warriors acquired Chris Paul this off-season to increase their chances of winning the NBA Championships. It is a risky move as they had to let go of youngsters from their roster while opting for a veteran with a long injury history. It remains to be seen how the Warriors will line up in the new season.
