Klay details biggest system adjustments from Warriors to Mavericks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
After spending 13 years with one team, it will take some time for Klay Thompson to adjust to a new offense with the Dallas Mavericks.
The former Warriors point guard is acclimating to his new team after signing a three-year, $50 million contract With Dallas this offseason and speaking to reporters at Mavericks Media Day on Monday, Thompson was asked what he imagines the biggest adjustments will be for him during training camp and at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. .
“I think from an X’s and O’s standpoint, I have to adjust to playing with such good creators,” Thompson said. “At Golden State, it was a very movement-based offense. Just being able to play with Luka (Dončić) the last few days, his pick-and-roll ability is maybe the best I’ve ever seen. It’s going to be fun to play with him on those sets because he draws a lot of attention and gets a lot of open looks from the perimeter, so I’ll be there to take them down.
“I think it will take me a couple of weeks to get used to this new system, but I think fortunately opening night won’t be until the 22nd, so this preseason could be the most important one I’ve had in so many years… I know I’m a basketball player and I can adapt accordingly and I hope to do so.
Thompson, who averaged more possessions (5.6) and off-screen points (6.2) per game during the 2023-24 season than the entire Mavericks team combined (3.6 possessions, 3.2 points), offers Dallas a unique offensive weapon, but he knows he will have To adapt to the current system, which encompasses Dončić and until the arrival of Thompson, featured fewer elements of the scheme with which he has had success over the years.
“That’s exciting. It kind of adds a whole new dimension to our team by being able to have a player like me who can draw the defense just by going through the lane or using an off-ball screen, a pindown and taking two defenders with me.”, Thomson added. “But I know obviously I’m going to have to adapt to Luka, Luka is the system, he’s a favorite for the MVP award and that’s a big reason why I came here, to help alleviate some of the pressure that he deals with every night, the defenses with which he sees.”
Thompson, a four-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA, has seen it all during his Hall of Fame career and should have no problem acclimating to his new system.
And he’ll have plenty of time to do so before facing the Warriors for the first time on Nov. 12 at Chase Center.
