Luka Doncic Explains Klay Thompson Is Key to Mavs’ Title Chase
Luka Doncic hasn’t been disruptive this season and has only one goal in mind, made more accessible with Klay Thompson on the team.
He was asked to summarize Dallas’ approach this season. He replied, “It’s a competition.” That’s the goal.”
The freshman he thinks will be key to the team’s title hopes is Klay.
“When me and Kai, when we have the ball, you can’t help Klay,” said Doncic. “Because if you leave him open, he will succeed. So I think the spaces will be important for us, but more than that, I will tell you after a few games.”
Irving shared similar thoughts on his running mate.
“I feel like our dreams can come true because he’s here now,” said Irving, who was instrumental in recruiting Thompson. “He added a lot of value to our championship aspirations.”
Thompson does not expect to play any time soon and explains how he will have to adjust to a system that is very different from the Warriors.
“From X and O’s point of view, I will have to practice to maybe play with such good creators,” said Thompson. “At Golden State, it was a motion-based offense. But I mean, just being able to play with Luke the last few days, his pick-roll skills are probably the best I’ve ever seen. It’s going to be fun playing him in those sets because he draws a lot of attention and gets a lot of open looks on the perimeter. So I will be there to bring them down.
“I think it will take a few weeks to get used to this new system, but luckily opening night won’t [Oct. 24]. So this preseason might be the most important I’ve had in years, and I can’t wait to get going tomorrow and learn this routine. But I know I’m a hooper, so I can adapt and I’m looking forward to doing that.”
Source link