"I'd rather peak come playoff time rather than early November or into January" - Klay Thompson not worried about his slow start to the season for the Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson is not worried about his slow start to the season for the Golden State Warriors. Thompson is on a minutes restriction to open the regular season as the Warriors remain cautious with their star guard.
In an interview with Kendra Andrews of ESPN before Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns, Thompson discussed the patience he needed to start the season. The four-time champ entered the season healthy, but the Warriors put him in a minutes restriction.
As Golden State started to ramp up his minutes, Thompson preached patience amid his early-season slump. He wants to have these struggles now rather than have them during the playoffs.
"I'm such a perfectionist, I want to be great right now," Thompson said. "But I got to realize, man, it's a long season. I'd rather peak come playoff time rather than early November or into January."
Klay Thompson played 20 minutes in his first game of the season against the LA Lakers. He had 18 points on 13 shots. He followed it up with a 16-point performance in 24 minutes in the loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The Golden State Warriors then played him 27 minutes against the Sacramento Kings in his third game of the season. Thompson only had eight points, going 3-for-10 from the field.
The five-time All-Star told Kendra Andrews that he's not bothered by missing shots or people scoring on him. He's been through a lot in the past several years, so he knows how to control his emotions.
"Don't get discouraged with missed shots or missed rotations on defense," Thompson said. "Sometimes when you come back from injury, you get in your own way. 'Ahh, I might not be the same player. I might not do this or do that.'
"But you just got to be grateful to be out there competing. When I play with that mindset, everything else flows so easily."
To read Klay Thompson's entire interview with ESPN, click here.
Klay Thompson struggled, ejected in loss to Phoenix
For the first time in his career, Klay Thompson was ejected in a game. Thompson received two technical fouls in the third quarter of the Golden State Warriors' 134-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He got into an argument with Devin Booker, with referee Ed Malloy calling it a double technical.
After Malloy led Thompson away from Booker, the four-time champ directed his anger toward the official. Malloy gave him a second technical foul that resulted in his ejection. Thompson continued to taunt the Suns' bench as he walked into the locker room.
Thompson finished the game with just two points in 19 minutes. He struggled with his shot again, going 1-for-8 from the field before his ejection. The Warriors were only down five points at that point, but the Suns made a massive run and got a win.
Steph Curry had 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead Golden State. Meanwhile, Devin Booker had 34 points and seven assists for Phoenix. The Warriors and Suns will face each other again on Nov. 16.