(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Klay Thompson had something to prove on Thursday night and that is exactly what he did.
The Golden State Warriors star was moved to the bench for the first time since his rookie year but instead of getting upset about that, he used it as inspiration to play well.
On Friday’s “Undisputed,” Keyshawn Johnson said how much he loved what he saw from Thompson and thinks this change is best for both the player and the team.
“What he did last night is he responded,” Johnson said.
He added: “The only thing that is set up now is for him in the next five, six years to become Ginobili in a second career.”
.@keyshawn has no problem with the Warriors benching Klay Thompson:
“The only thing that is set up now is for him in the next 5, 6 years to become Ginóbili in a 2nd career.” pic.twitter.com/TJv7f2pLrC
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 16, 2024
The response that Johnson and others saw from Thompson was astonishing.
The four-time champion scored 35 points and had six rebounds during the game against the Utah Jazz and shot 7-of-13 from beyond the three-point line.
He was looking like vintage Thompson throughout the game and was making his recent stretch of rough games feel like a distant memory.
Partly because of Thompson, the Warriors were able to score an important 140-137 win over the Jazz.
If Thompson continues to play on the second unit, he really might find a second chapter in his career, one where he is a supporting superstar who feels comfortable on the bench.
He could add a lot to his team, even if he never is a starter again.
That being said, perhaps one good game off the bench was all Thompson needed to become the player he once was.
Perhaps Steve Kerr saw Thompson’s performance and will integrate him back into the starting five soon.
Or maybe Kerr just uncovered the sixth man that this team needs.
The post Keyshawn Johnson Reacts To Warriors Benching Klay Thompson appeared first on The Cold Wire.