On this episode of 'Inside The Mavs' Kevin Gray, Mavericks Pre/Post Host on the Mavs Radio Network discusses the Mavericks addition of Klay Thompson and if he's the missing piece for them to win the NBA Finals. KG discusses Klay's fit and why he was so coveted by the Mavericks and more!
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(00:00):
With Clay Thompson officially in the fold. Is he the Mavericks missing piece to
win an NBA Championship? We discussedit on this episode of Inside the MAVs
presented by Aura. Welcome to Insidethe mass presented by Aura. I'm your
(00:45):
host, Kevin Gray, Mavericks preand post game host on the Dallas Mavericks
Radio Network. Appreciate you joining mehere for the latest episode of the program.
Make sure you download and subscribe tothe podcast wherever you get your podcasts
for free. Give it a fivestar rating and write a review for it
while you're there. And if you'rewatching this on my YouTube channel at Kevin
Gray Sports, makes you like acomment on the video and subscribe to Kevin
(01:06):
Gray Sports here on YouTube and youcan follow me on x at Kevin Gray
Sports. Is Klay Thompson the Mavericksmissing piece to win an NBA Championship now
that he is in the fold foryour Dallas Mavericks. Klay Thompson, Naji
Marshall, and Quinton Grimes all introducedfor the Mavericks on Tuesday, as they
(01:26):
now look forward to helping the Mavericksovercome and win an NBA Championship, unlike
what they were able to do thispast season against the Boston tell Us Six,
losing in five games. Klay Thompsonmotivated, rejuvenated, and ready to
play for this team, already gettingworking with the Dallas Mavericks on the practice
floor as he looks forward to thisupcoming season, well, he will ware
(01:49):
the number thirty one in honor ofReggie Miller. Klay Thompson needing eighty three
pointers to pass Reggie Miller on theall time three point made field goal list,
and he will look to do soin a Dallas Mavericks uniform. I'm
not gonna lie to you, it'sstill kind of surrealed to see Klay Thompson
in a Dallas Maverick uniform. Afterspending thirteen seasons in Golden State, winning
(02:13):
four NBA championships, but robbed oftwo and a half years of his prime
due to the fact that he torein acl in twenty nineteen and then in
the twenty twenty offseason Tour an Achilles, but yet instill at thirty four years
old. Klay Thompson last year averagenearly eighteen points per game, shooting nearly
thirty nine percent from the three pointline provides the Mavericks the missing link that
(02:37):
they need in order to win achampionship. If you look at Lay Thompson
and what he's done over the lastcouple of years and the reputation that folks
have developed for him, thinking thathe doesn't have a lot left in the
tank, he went a long wayto the spelling that when he had an
opportunity to speak with the media,and it sounds like a Klay Thompson is
motivated to ferociously provide opportunities to provewith people wrong when it comes to his
(03:01):
ability to play on the floor.Heres Klay Thompson on why he decided that
Dallas was the right place at theright time for him in his career and
what he did to ensure that heis going to make an impression here with
the Mavericks. Take a listen whileit is now the time to depart for
a new team, and what madeDallas the destination for you? Well,
(03:30):
I mean, whether you play basketballor work in the corporate world or wherever
whatever industry sometimes changed just can spurgreatness and a new change of scenery can
do do wonders. And I'm verygrateful for my time at Golden State,
(03:51):
but I just felt like, youknow, moving on could just re energize
me and do something special for therest of my career. And Dallas was
so attractive because of the young players, they have, the style of play,
the you know, world class treatmentthese players get from this organization,
(04:13):
and just a beautiful city who lovestheir hoops. So when I was watching
the playoffs and I'm watching the Masks, you know, make a run for
the championship, I just saw myselffitting in really well with this team and
the personnel, and they look likethey have fun playing with each other and
they play for each other, andthat was very attractive for me. And
(04:33):
that's really all I needed to see. And there's mutual interest there and that's
why I'm here. Clay Thompson studyingthis Mavericks team, believing that what he
saw during the Mavericks run to theNBA Finals, the skill set that he
still provides is one of the premierethree point shooters in the NBA. He
believes that he can be the reasonthat he is the missing link for the
(04:56):
Mavericks to win an NBA championship andfor all all the questions for Klay Thompson,
who, yes, who has seensome of the physical ability for him
diminish throughout the course of his career, and the questions on how much more
he will hold up as he beginshis three year, fifty million dollar contract.
What you can say about Clay isis that he will provide the kind
of leadership and knowledge having won fourNBA Championships, and more importantly the spacing
(05:24):
on the floor to be able toopen up things for Luka Doncis and Kyrie
Irving, especially from the three pointline. And no matter how you may
feel about Clay and the fact thathe is with the Dallas Mavericks, he
was wanted by the Mavericks and hewanted them, making this a free agent
destination that had not been so forthe last several years. And with Kyrie
(05:46):
Irving, Luka Dongson Klay Thompson,you've got three players who will compliment each
other extremely well. And for Clay, you think about what happened with Golden
States the last year that he wasthere. Average, as I mentioned,
eighteen points, shot nearly thirty ninepercent, nearly forty percent from the three
point line in a down year forKlay Thompson think about how much criticism he
(06:08):
took yes with the zero of tengame that he had in the play in
game, but how much more hewill be embraced by Mavericks fans and by
this team and organization because if heis able to average nineteen points a game,
shoot forty percent from three, wherecareer wise he's nearly a forty two
percent three point shooter, and isable to provide that kind of spacing and
(06:29):
help improve this team from a scoringstandpoint, Mavericks fans in this organization will
be ecstatic with what Klay Thompson isable to give them. It just gives
you more of a perspective on howthings can be viewed differently based on a
different situation where Golden State is movingmore toward a youth movement. Dallas is
in prime position right now to usea player of Klay Thompson's skill set to
(06:50):
be able to help them hopefully getover the top when it comes to winning
an NBA championship. And that's whyit makes so much sense for Clay to
be in Dallas based on what heis as a player, what he believes
he still has left in the tank, and more importantly, while the Mavericks
coveted his services so much because theyrealize that while the things were ending in
(07:11):
Golden State, there was a newbeginning on the horizon for Clay With this
team and the structure and the organizationalatmosphere that the Mavericks have built, Klay
Thompson fits in perfectly at this stageof his life in his career to be
able to provide what he has leftfor the Mavericks to try to pursue an
NBA championship in a deep and talentedWestern conference that will continue to be tough
(07:33):
when we look at this upcoming season, but the Mavericks still remain in position
to be in the top four inthe West, a fifty win team when
we look at how this team willgo through the course of the regular season
this upcoming year. But for Thompsonnow, he defiantly has the opportunity to
continue his career and to do soin a place where he will thrive based
(07:57):
on what the Mavericks need him todo, much like hal Jays Terry was
able to do when he came toDallas and being a guy that could space
the floor with his three point shooting, was able to steal, knock down
shots in the mid range as well, and something that Klay Thompson that you
want to see him get back alittle bit more to you. While yes,
he's more so now a sniper fromthe three point line, and primarily
(08:18):
that we know that in Klay Thomps'sprime he was a mid range merchant as
well and able to knock down shotsin the mid range with the best of
him. But for this stage ofhis career, his ability to knock down
shots from the outside, especially fromthe corners, where he will help PJ.
Washington become a better three point shooter. That is exactly what this Mavericks
(08:39):
team needs and what they are goingto ask him to do for this upcoming
season. More on Klay Thompson andwhy he hopefully is the missing piece for
this team to win an NBA championshipand what he believes he is as a
player at this stage of his career. But before we get there, let's
hear from today's sponsor of our videoon our podcast, and let's hear from
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(09:03):
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(10:31):
thank you for hanging out with usthrough our spot, and thank you
today's podcast partner and Aura Klay Thompson. Is he the missing piece for the
Mavericks to win an NBA championship.He will have an opportunity to play alongside
Kyrie Irving, who, of coursehe played on an Olympic team with in
twenty sixteen, played with on aWorld Cup team, and we of course
(10:52):
know how fiercely competitive the two ofthem are and what we saw from them
when the Cavaliers and the Warriors engagedin their epic battles in the NBA finals.
Klay Thompson looking forward to being ateammate of Kyrie Irvings versus being on
the other side of him, where, of course we saw Kyrie Irving make
one of the more famous shots inNBA history over Stephen Curry after he was
(11:13):
switched on to him with Klay Thompson. But at the same time, what
you hope for the Mavericks and whatthey're getting from Thompson at this stage of
his career. We know about thethree point shooting. We know about the
catch and shoot ability that Clay haslast year making two hundred and nineteen catch
and shoot three pointers and overall wasfourth in the NBA and three pointers made.
This is still a player who canstill shoot the ball with the best
(11:37):
of them in the league. But'sthe intangibles that will be brought by Klay
Thompson that will hopefully be able topermeate this Mavericks team day in and day
out on and off the floor.When you look at what Klay Thompson had
to overcome in order to even getback to somewhat of the player that he
was to help the Golden State Warriorswin a championship in twenty twenty two,
(12:00):
you talk about the work ethic.You talk about the dedication and the importance
of working at his craft and continuingto hopefully keep his body in the kind
of shape that will hold up forthe Mavericks to be able to utilize the
skill set that he has throughout theduration of the regular season. Those are
the things that when you start talkingabout how a team is built from the
chemistry and a roster standpoint, thethings that you watch an NBA champion do,
(12:24):
which the Mavericks are now getting moreexperienced with with working with Kyrie Irving
on a daily basis. Now youget to work with a player who has
been through the highs and lows ofthis league, been a part of a
championship dynasty, and was the focalpoint along with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green
in order to drive those championships.It's no accident that Klay Thompson is regarded
(12:46):
as one of the best three pointshooters in the history of the game.
But we don't talk about enough withKlay Thompson is the work ethic that he
displays day in and day out andthe dedication to become one of the best
shooters that we've ever seen. Well, yes, Stephen Curry got a lot
more of the fanfare because of thespectacular nature of his game. The steady
(13:07):
force that is Klay Thompson is oneof the biggest reasons why the Golden State
War has had the success that theydid, that stabilizing force the Mavericks will
be able to utilize as well.And now along with the experience at Klay
Thomas to this game throughout the courseof his thirteen years in the NBA,
I had a chance to ask KlayThompson not only about his relationship with Kyrie
(13:30):
Irving, who of course they sharea shoe brand together with, but also
what he believes he is at thisstage of his career and how he defines
himself as a player for the Mavericks. Now here's what he had to say
for a question for Clay for you, just two part question. What was
your relationship with Kyrie Irving and howthat influenced you making the decision to come
(13:52):
to Dallas. And how would youdefine yourself as a player at this stage
in your career and what that meansto help this Mavericks team try to win
a championship going forward. Some goodquestions. Kyrie and I are good friends.
I mean, we came the leadtogether in twenty eleven, we played
on Team USA together twice. Obviouslyplayed against each other in the highest stages
(14:13):
for many years, and I've alwaysbeen a fan of Kay's game and guarding
him was hell. So it's niceto be on the other end of that
for once and see other defenders getloose and get shook by him. That's
going to be a good sight tosee. And then part two. At
this point in my career, Imean still can't leave me open and I
(14:35):
can guard, and I'm just excited. I still think I can do what
I've been able to do, andit's just about being in the best shape
I can possibly be. But Iknow I can help this team, whether
it's the knowledge I've gained or bigscoring nights, I just still know I
can be a very very good playerin this league. So Clay remaining extremely
(14:58):
confident in his abilities, even atthirty four years old, to be the
kind of player that he expects himselfto be in demanding that greatness from himself
on a daily basis. That isanother aspect that the Mavericks will have a
front row seat to throughout the courseof the summer and into the regular season
is the ability to watch Klay Thompsonput it in the kind of work and
(15:18):
what it means to have the kindof championship habits in order to be a
consistent player in this league. Whenwe heard from Naji Marshall and for Quinton
Grives in terms of their reaction towhen they found out that Klay Thompson was
coming to the Dallas Mavericks, theyboth said, Hey, we think we're
gonna win a chip here in Dallas. That is the kind of confidence that
(15:39):
this kind of player with his Hallof Fame credentials provides for Mavericks, the
team, and for its fans.Is the confidence that he can be,
in fact, the one to helpthis Mavericks team win an NBA championship.
When you have the kind of playerthat Klay Thompson is, what he's been
in his career now understanding what hehas to be moving forward, that to
(16:00):
me gives you a great indication onhow good the Mavericks feel about bringing him
into the fold. And for Lukadoncis specifically watching this kind of shooter on
a daily basis and how much moremotivated he is going to be to be
able to be the kind of playerthat not only will be a leading MVP
candidate this upcoming year, but thekind of basketball IQ that Luka Donci is
(16:25):
his possession and now being able toshare that with both Kyrie Irving and Klay
Thompson. This is the way thatyou build a championship organization. You identify
the flaws that you have on yourteam and your roster. Then you start
to fill those holes with the kindof players and experience that will help not
only the team be better on thefloor, but also provide the intangibles off
(16:47):
the floor to help your superstar becomethe kind of player that he desires to
be and will eventually become regarded asone of the five best players that we've
ever seen in the history of thisleague. Yes, that's exactly what I
say said when we're looking at thetrajectory of Luka Doncic, there is no
doubt in my mind that Luka Doncicby the time we get to the end
(17:07):
of his career, could be atop ten, top five player that the
game has ever seen. That ishow good he is. And most importantly,
now the organization is finally caught upto the timeline with Luka doncis because
in a lot of ways, theMavericks have been trying to catch up with
the prodigious superstar who fast forwarded atimeline for the Mavericks in terms of a
competitive roster that had to be builtaround him, that it finally feels like
(17:32):
this team is on the right pathto be able to not only sustain the
success that they've started to have,but build upon that for years to come.
With the kind of players at theirage and with the kind of veterans
mixed along with them that will allowthem to remain in contention in the Western
Conference for several years. That tome is an overarching, huge, important
(17:55):
factor. When you look at whatKlay Thompson, Kyrie Irving are providing from
this team from a talent and aleadership standpoint, but also the young nucleus
that this Mavericks team has built,and when you look at what the Maverick
success has been, that is whatattracted Klay Thompson to the Mavericks organization.
It's another thing to win. Andwhat made it so difficult watching the Mavericks
(18:17):
break up their team after winning thetwenty eleven championship. Dirt Nevinski won his
first championship thirteen years into his career. It made it difficult for other free
agents to look at the Mavericks situationand think that they would be able to
get back to a championship because ofhow much older some of those guys were.
When you look at Jason Kidd,Dirt Davinsky, Jason Terry and others
(18:37):
who were on that team that wereyes, able to win a championship,
but how much more success down theroad was there going to be with that
group. Ultimately, the Mavericks werenever able to win another championship with Dirt
Davinsky as part of their franchise.But it makes a massive difference now that
Luka Doncis at twenty five years old, has made his first NBA finals and
there's an extremely bright future ahead ofhim. That makes it that much more
(19:02):
attractive for players around the league tothink that they could come in and be
a part of this team moving forward, and not only be a part of
this team now, but also movingforward into the future for years to come,
that they believe they can be onthe right path to true contention year
after year after year, and witha superstar entering into his prime and yes,
(19:22):
Kyrie Irving feeling like he's in hisprime as well, marrying that with
someone of Klay Thompson's experience, itappears that the Mavericks believe that Klay Thompson
is in fact the missing piece forthem to win a championship. They adequately
replaced Derrick Jones Junior with Naji Marshall. They also were able to replace Josh
Green with a guy in Quinton Grimesthat's going to continue to get better as
(19:47):
he remains healthy as a guy thatcan defend and can shoot as well.
But when you can replace at TimHardaway Junior with a Klay Thompson and the
accomplishment of Clay throughout his career,this gives you a lot of confidence at
the have made the right and necessarymoves and most importantly, had a successful
offseason in building on the success thatthey had this past season in reaching the
(20:10):
NBA Finals. The way that youhave to evaluate the way that I have
to evaluate this team is are theycontinuously moving in the right direction based on
the core of their team with theiryoung nucleus with a twenty year old butting
star and Derek live of the secondat center obviously with Daniel Gaffer PJ.
Washington, but all it being ledby Luka Donson Kyprie Irving now being supplemented
(20:33):
by a thirty four year old sniperfrom the three point line that will provide
them the kind of shooting that willmake it hell for defenses all season long.
I would not be surprised if thisMavericks offense is a record setting one
this upcoming season because Luka Doncic,who shot thirty eight percent from three himself
on volume, continues to improve asa three point shooter and hopefully he will
(20:59):
come back this upcoming season healthy aswell. So when you talk about the
offense that the Mavericks are going tohave with Luca Kyrie, Klay Thompson and
improved three point shooter in terms ofPJ Washington obviously, with the physicality and
the presence of a Derek Lively thesecond as well, along with Daniel Gaffer
coming off the bench, You've gota lot of things to be excited about
(21:22):
about this team and their ability tocompete with the top four teams of the
West. When you're looking at theOklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets,
the Minnesota Timberwolves, you feel likethe Mavericks are right there. Based off
of what they were able to dofrom a defensive standpoint, becoming the best
defenses in the league during the lasttwenty games of the season and using that
(21:45):
to get to the NBA Finals,but now the experience that all of them
will have not only going to thatrun, but now having a full offseason
to work together and then go intotraining camp to continue to build on that
chemistry. The sky is the limitfor the Mavericks based on what they've put
together and now they believe they haveall of the necessary ingredients and elements to
(22:07):
be able to make that kind ofrun. This defense will have to continue
to be one of the best inthe league because we know that the offense
is going to be there night afternight, and yes, well some of
the defense maybe take a slight stepback with Klay Thompson being in the starting
lineup. Naturally, it will basedoff of where he is in terms of
his physical abilities at thirty four yearsold, but I don't think it'll be
(22:30):
as near of a steep of adrop off as what folks may think based
on what they believe Clay is atthis stage and his career. If you
are to believe how motivated this playersounds to prove people wrong about what he
still is as a player, Iexpect a really good Klay Thompson this upcoming
season to really provide himself the bestopportunity to maximize what he still has left
(22:55):
in his career and his game,and more importantly be able to show case
that night after night with the DallasMavericks on both ends of the floor,
because no matter what, he's betterthan what you were able to move on
from in terms of tim Hardaway Juniorfrom a defensive standpoint, and we already
know that he's a much better playerin terms of being a shooter as well.
(23:17):
So all in all, you feelgood about what the Mavericks have done
this offseason, and now they havea player who wants to be here,
desires to continue to prove people wrong, but now has the talent around him
at the young ages when we're talkingabout, especially with Luka Dacic, to
be able to see himself fitting inseamlessly with this team. And for Jason
(23:41):
Kidd, the head coach, henow gets to coach another California kid in
terms of Klay Thompson, so theconnection should be nice and easy between the
two of them. Klay thoms aretalking about how much he is looking forward
to playing with the head coach whohas now put himself in position to be
considered he is now literally NBA Finalscoach this team, Nico Harrison, the
(24:03):
President of Basketball Operations, that saidthey want everyone to come back ten to
fifteen percent better. If everyone isable to do that. Given what they've
achieved so far this offseason and witheveryone coming back healthy and motivated and being
able to be a year better,the Mavericks are literally one of the four
(24:25):
best teams in the West that havea chance to get back to the NBA
Finals and this time win it.With a true complete team filled with guys
that can defend, can shoot,and led by two superstars and Luka Donchson
Kyrie Irving that can go toe totoe with the best of them. Yes,
the matchups were able to break theirway and the Mavericks earn their right
(24:48):
to get to the NBA Finals.How they navigate themselves through a treacherous West
is going to be fun and interestingto watch. As we mentioned with the
top three teams with Oklahoma City,Denver and Minnesota getting better as well,
with Nikolea Jokich a course an MVPcandidate every single year. Obviously, Shay
Gildus Alaxander will be a leading MVPcandidate going into next season as well,
(25:11):
and Anthony Edwards, who had abreakout postseason. How much more he continues
to grow, especially with him playingwith Team USA, and we know how
confident that he is, so makeno mistake about it. The West has
improved throughout the course of the softseason, but the Mavericks responded in conn
to improve themselves, to be rightthere in the thick of it in this
(25:32):
conversation, and they are not tobe taken lightly now with Klay Thompson,
especially in the fold, the Mavericksare a team to be reckoned with and
they believe, I believe they havetheir missing piece in order to win a
championship. Now we will watch itall unfold on the floor throughout the course
of the summer, during training camp, but also into the regular season,
(25:56):
and hopefully a healthy one for KlayThomas, who yes, will turn thirty
five during the course of the year. But if you were to believe what
you heard from him in his firstwords as a Dallas Maverick, this player
is ready to go and to ensurethat he is in fact the reason that
all that tape that he studied andwatching the Mavericks make it to the NBA
(26:18):
Finals. Now seeing himself being partof this team, he will be in
those situations and be able to helpthe Mavericks capitalize on those opportunities to be
able to win a championship for thefirst time since twenty eleven, since the
last time a number thirty one wasable to win a championship with the Mavericks
and Jason Terry and how invaluable hewas to that run. Klay Thompson looking
(26:42):
to do the same ball making history, passing Reggie Miller, but also delivering
on what he believes can be wonfor the Thumb moving forward as far as
another championship, Klay Thompson Dallas Maverickcan't say that enough how monumental this is
for this team and what it meansfor them going forward into this upcoming season
(27:03):
and beyond. That'll do it forthis episode of Inside the Mass Again,
thank you so much for joining mehere on the program. Makes you a
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(27:26):
so much for the support of theshow and of course of the channel,
and you can follow me on xat Kevin Gray Sports. This has been
Inside the MAVs presented by Aura
With Clay Thompson officially in the fold. Is he the Mavericks missing piece to
win an NBA Championship? We discussedit on this episode of Inside the MAVs
presented by Aura. Welcome to Insidethe mass presented by Aura. I'm your
(00:45):
host, Kevin Gray, Mavericks preand post game host on the Dallas Mavericks
Radio Network. Appreciate you joining mehere for the latest episode of the program.
Make sure you download and subscribe tothe podcast wherever you get your podcasts
for free. Give it a fivestar rating and write a review for it
while you're there. And if you'rewatching this on my YouTube channel at Kevin
Gray Sports, makes you like acomment on the video and subscribe to Kevin
(01:06):
Gray Sports here on YouTube and youcan follow me on x at Kevin Gray
Sports. Is Klay Thompson the Mavericksmissing piece to win an NBA Championship now
that he is in the fold foryour Dallas Mavericks. Klay Thompson, Naji
Marshall, and Quinton Grimes all introducedfor the Mavericks on Tuesday, as they
(01:26):
now look forward to helping the Mavericksovercome and win an NBA Championship, unlike
what they were able to do thispast season against the Boston tell Us Six,
losing in five games. Klay Thompsonmotivated, rejuvenated, and ready to
play for this team, already gettingworking with the Dallas Mavericks on the practice
floor as he looks forward to thisupcoming season, well, he will ware
(01:49):
the number thirty one in honor ofReggie Miller. Klay Thompson needing eighty three
pointers to pass Reggie Miller on theall time three point made field goal list,
and he will look to do soin a Dallas Mavericks uniform. I'm
not gonna lie to you, it'sstill kind of surrealed to see Klay Thompson
in a Dallas Maverick uniform. Afterspending thirteen seasons in Golden State, winning
(02:13):
four NBA championships, but robbed oftwo and a half years of his prime
due to the fact that he torein acl in twenty nineteen and then in
the twenty twenty offseason Tour an Achilles, but yet instill at thirty four years
old. Klay Thompson last year averagenearly eighteen points per game, shooting nearly
thirty nine percent from the three pointline provides the Mavericks the missing link that
(02:37):
they need in order to win achampionship. If you look at Lay Thompson
and what he's done over the lastcouple of years and the reputation that folks
have developed for him, thinking thathe doesn't have a lot left in the
tank, he went a long wayto the spelling that when he had an
opportunity to speak with the media,and it sounds like a Klay Thompson is
motivated to ferociously provide opportunities to provewith people wrong when it comes to his
(03:01):
ability to play on the floor.Heres Klay Thompson on why he decided that
Dallas was the right place at theright time for him in his career and
what he did to ensure that heis going to make an impression here with
the Mavericks. Take a listen whileit is now the time to depart for
a new team, and what madeDallas the destination for you? Well,
(03:30):
I mean, whether you play basketballor work in the corporate world or wherever
whatever industry sometimes changed just can spurgreatness and a new change of scenery can
do do wonders. And I'm verygrateful for my time at Golden State,
(03:51):
but I just felt like, youknow, moving on could just re energize
me and do something special for therest of my career. And Dallas was
so attractive because of the young players, they have, the style of play,
the you know, world class treatmentthese players get from this organization,
(04:13):
and just a beautiful city who lovestheir hoops. So when I was watching
the playoffs and I'm watching the Masks, you know, make a run for
the championship, I just saw myselffitting in really well with this team and
the personnel, and they look likethey have fun playing with each other and
they play for each other, andthat was very attractive for me. And
(04:33):
that's really all I needed to see. And there's mutual interest there and that's
why I'm here. Clay Thompson studyingthis Mavericks team, believing that what he
saw during the Mavericks run to theNBA Finals, the skill set that he
still provides is one of the premierethree point shooters in the NBA. He
believes that he can be the reasonthat he is the missing link for the
(04:56):
Mavericks to win an NBA championship andfor all all the questions for Klay Thompson,
who, yes, who has seensome of the physical ability for him
diminish throughout the course of his career, and the questions on how much more
he will hold up as he beginshis three year, fifty million dollar contract.
What you can say about Clay isis that he will provide the kind
of leadership and knowledge having won fourNBA Championships, and more importantly the spacing
(05:24):
on the floor to be able toopen up things for Luka Doncis and Kyrie
Irving, especially from the three pointline. And no matter how you may
feel about Clay and the fact thathe is with the Dallas Mavericks, he
was wanted by the Mavericks and hewanted them, making this a free agent
destination that had not been so forthe last several years. And with Kyrie
(05:46):
Irving, Luka Dongson Klay Thompson,you've got three players who will compliment each
other extremely well. And for Clay, you think about what happened with Golden
States the last year that he wasthere. Average, as I mentioned,
eighteen points, shot nearly thirty ninepercent, nearly forty percent from the three
point line in a down year forKlay Thompson think about how much criticism he
(06:08):
took yes with the zero of tengame that he had in the play in
game, but how much more hewill be embraced by Mavericks fans and by
this team and organization because if heis able to average nineteen points a game,
shoot forty percent from three, wherecareer wise he's nearly a forty two
percent three point shooter, and isable to provide that kind of spacing and
(06:29):
help improve this team from a scoringstandpoint, Mavericks fans in this organization will
be ecstatic with what Klay Thompson isable to give them. It just gives
you more of a perspective on howthings can be viewed differently based on a
different situation where Golden State is movingmore toward a youth movement. Dallas is
in prime position right now to usea player of Klay Thompson's skill set to
(06:50):
be able to help them hopefully getover the top when it comes to winning
an NBA championship. And that's whyit makes so much sense for Clay to
be in Dallas based on what heis as a player, what he believes
he still has left in the tank, and more importantly, while the Mavericks
coveted his services so much because theyrealize that while the things were ending in
(07:11):
Golden State, there was a newbeginning on the horizon for Clay With this
team and the structure and the organizationalatmosphere that the Mavericks have built, Klay
Thompson fits in perfectly at this stageof his life in his career to be
able to provide what he has leftfor the Mavericks to try to pursue an
NBA championship in a deep and talentedWestern conference that will continue to be tough
(07:33):
when we look at this upcoming season, but the Mavericks still remain in position
to be in the top four inthe West, a fifty win team when
we look at how this team willgo through the course of the regular season
this upcoming year. But for Thompsonnow, he defiantly has the opportunity to
continue his career and to do soin a place where he will thrive based
(07:57):
on what the Mavericks need him todo, much like hal Jays Terry was
able to do when he came toDallas and being a guy that could space
the floor with his three point shooting, was able to steal, knock down
shots in the mid range as well, and something that Klay Thompson that you
want to see him get back alittle bit more to you. While yes,
he's more so now a sniper fromthe three point line, and primarily
(08:18):
that we know that in Klay Thomps'sprime he was a mid range merchant as
well and able to knock down shotsin the mid range with the best of
him. But for this stage ofhis career, his ability to knock down
shots from the outside, especially fromthe corners, where he will help PJ.
Washington become a better three point shooter. That is exactly what this Mavericks
(08:39):
team needs and what they are goingto ask him to do for this upcoming
season. More on Klay Thompson andwhy he hopefully is the missing piece for
this team to win an NBA championshipand what he believes he is as a
player at this stage of his career. But before we get there, let's
hear from today's sponsor of our videoon our podcast, and let's hear from
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(09:03):
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thank you for hanging out with usthrough our spot, and thank you
today's podcast partner and Aura Klay Thompson. Is he the missing piece for the
Mavericks to win an NBA championship.He will have an opportunity to play alongside
Kyrie Irving, who, of coursehe played on an Olympic team with in
twenty sixteen, played with on aWorld Cup team, and we of course
(10:52):
know how fiercely competitive the two ofthem are and what we saw from them
when the Cavaliers and the Warriors engagedin their epic battles in the NBA finals.
Klay Thompson looking forward to being ateammate of Kyrie Irvings versus being on
the other side of him, where, of course we saw Kyrie Irving make
one of the more famous shots inNBA history over Stephen Curry after he was
(11:13):
switched on to him with Klay Thompson. But at the same time, what
you hope for the Mavericks and whatthey're getting from Thompson at this stage of
his career. We know about thethree point shooting. We know about the
catch and shoot ability that Clay haslast year making two hundred and nineteen catch
and shoot three pointers and overall wasfourth in the NBA and three pointers made.
This is still a player who canstill shoot the ball with the best
(11:37):
of them in the league. But'sthe intangibles that will be brought by Klay
Thompson that will hopefully be able topermeate this Mavericks team day in and day
out on and off the floor.When you look at what Klay Thompson had
to overcome in order to even getback to somewhat of the player that he
was to help the Golden State Warriorswin a championship in twenty twenty two,
(12:00):
you talk about the work ethic.You talk about the dedication and the importance
of working at his craft and continuingto hopefully keep his body in the kind
of shape that will hold up forthe Mavericks to be able to utilize the
skill set that he has throughout theduration of the regular season. Those are
the things that when you start talkingabout how a team is built from the
chemistry and a roster standpoint, thethings that you watch an NBA champion do,
(12:24):
which the Mavericks are now getting moreexperienced with with working with Kyrie Irving
on a daily basis. Now youget to work with a player who has
been through the highs and lows ofthis league, been a part of a
championship dynasty, and was the focalpoint along with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green
in order to drive those championships.It's no accident that Klay Thompson is regarded
(12:46):
as one of the best three pointshooters in the history of the game.
But we don't talk about enough withKlay Thompson is the work ethic that he
displays day in and day out andthe dedication to become one of the best
shooters that we've ever seen. Well, yes, Stephen Curry got a lot
more of the fanfare because of thespectacular nature of his game. The steady
(13:07):
force that is Klay Thompson is oneof the biggest reasons why the Golden State
War has had the success that theydid, that stabilizing force the Mavericks will
be able to utilize as well.And now along with the experience at Klay
Thomas to this game throughout the courseof his thirteen years in the NBA,
I had a chance to ask KlayThompson not only about his relationship with Kyrie
(13:30):
Irving, who of course they sharea shoe brand together with, but also
what he believes he is at thisstage of his career and how he defines
himself as a player for the Mavericks. Now here's what he had to say
for a question for Clay for you, just two part question. What was
your relationship with Kyrie Irving and howthat influenced you making the decision to come
(13:52):
to Dallas. And how would youdefine yourself as a player at this stage
in your career and what that meansto help this Mavericks team try to win
a championship going forward. Some goodquestions. Kyrie and I are good friends.
I mean, we came the leadtogether in twenty eleven, we played
on Team USA together twice. Obviouslyplayed against each other in the highest stages
(14:13):
for many years, and I've alwaysbeen a fan of Kay's game and guarding
him was hell. So it's niceto be on the other end of that
for once and see other defenders getloose and get shook by him. That's
going to be a good sight tosee. And then part two. At
this point in my career, Imean still can't leave me open and I
(14:35):
can guard, and I'm just excited. I still think I can do what
I've been able to do, andit's just about being in the best shape
I can possibly be. But Iknow I can help this team, whether
it's the knowledge I've gained or bigscoring nights, I just still know I
can be a very very good playerin this league. So Clay remaining extremely
(14:58):
confident in his abilities, even atthirty four years old, to be the
kind of player that he expects himselfto be in demanding that greatness from himself
on a daily basis. That isanother aspect that the Mavericks will have a
front row seat to throughout the courseof the summer and into the regular season
is the ability to watch Klay Thompsonput it in the kind of work and
(15:18):
what it means to have the kindof championship habits in order to be a
consistent player in this league. Whenwe heard from Naji Marshall and for Quinton
Grives in terms of their reaction towhen they found out that Klay Thompson was
coming to the Dallas Mavericks, theyboth said, Hey, we think we're
gonna win a chip here in Dallas. That is the kind of confidence that
(15:39):
this kind of player with his Hallof Fame credentials provides for Mavericks, the
team, and for its fans.Is the confidence that he can be,
in fact, the one to helpthis Mavericks team win an NBA championship.
When you have the kind of playerthat Klay Thompson is, what he's been
in his career now understanding what hehas to be moving forward, that to
(16:00):
me gives you a great indication onhow good the Mavericks feel about bringing him
into the fold. And for Lukadoncis specifically watching this kind of shooter on
a daily basis and how much moremotivated he is going to be to be
able to be the kind of playerthat not only will be a leading MVP
candidate this upcoming year, but thekind of basketball IQ that Luka Donci is
(16:25):
his possession and now being able toshare that with both Kyrie Irving and Klay
Thompson. This is the way thatyou build a championship organization. You identify
the flaws that you have on yourteam and your roster. Then you start
to fill those holes with the kindof players and experience that will help not
only the team be better on thefloor, but also provide the intangibles off
(16:47):
the floor to help your superstar becomethe kind of player that he desires to
be and will eventually become regarded asone of the five best players that we've
ever seen in the history of thisleague. Yes, that's exactly what I
say said when we're looking at thetrajectory of Luka Doncic, there is no
doubt in my mind that Luka Doncicby the time we get to the end
(17:07):
of his career, could be atop ten, top five player that the
game has ever seen. That ishow good he is. And most importantly,
now the organization is finally caught upto the timeline with Luka doncis because
in a lot of ways, theMavericks have been trying to catch up with
the prodigious superstar who fast forwarded atimeline for the Mavericks in terms of a
competitive roster that had to be builtaround him, that it finally feels like
(17:32):
this team is on the right pathto be able to not only sustain the
success that they've started to have,but build upon that for years to come.
With the kind of players at theirage and with the kind of veterans
mixed along with them that will allowthem to remain in contention in the Western
Conference for several years. That tome is an overarching, huge, important
(17:55):
factor. When you look at whatKlay Thompson, Kyrie Irving are providing from
this team from a talent and aleadership standpoint, but also the young nucleus
that this Mavericks team has built,and when you look at what the Maverick
success has been, that is whatattracted Klay Thompson to the Mavericks organization.
It's another thing to win. Andwhat made it so difficult watching the Mavericks
(18:17):
break up their team after winning thetwenty eleven championship. Dirt Nevinski won his
first championship thirteen years into his career. It made it difficult for other free
agents to look at the Mavericks situationand think that they would be able to
get back to a championship because ofhow much older some of those guys were.
When you look at Jason Kidd,Dirt Davinsky, Jason Terry and others
(18:37):
who were on that team that wereyes, able to win a championship,
but how much more success down theroad was there going to be with that
group. Ultimately, the Mavericks werenever able to win another championship with Dirt
Davinsky as part of their franchise.But it makes a massive difference now that
Luka Doncis at twenty five years old, has made his first NBA finals and
there's an extremely bright future ahead ofhim. That makes it that much more
(19:02):
attractive for players around the league tothink that they could come in and be
a part of this team moving forward, and not only be a part of
this team now, but also movingforward into the future for years to come,
that they believe they can be onthe right path to true contention year
after year after year, and witha superstar entering into his prime and yes,
(19:22):
Kyrie Irving feeling like he's in hisprime as well, marrying that with
someone of Klay Thompson's experience, itappears that the Mavericks believe that Klay Thompson
is in fact the missing piece forthem to win a championship. They adequately
replaced Derrick Jones Junior with Naji Marshall. They also were able to replace Josh
Green with a guy in Quinton Grimesthat's going to continue to get better as
(19:47):
he remains healthy as a guy thatcan defend and can shoot as well.
But when you can replace at TimHardaway Junior with a Klay Thompson and the
accomplishment of Clay throughout his career,this gives you a lot of confidence at
the have made the right and necessarymoves and most importantly, had a successful
offseason in building on the success thatthey had this past season in reaching the
(20:10):
NBA Finals. The way that youhave to evaluate the way that I have
to evaluate this team is are theycontinuously moving in the right direction based on
the core of their team with theiryoung nucleus with a twenty year old butting
star and Derek live of the secondat center obviously with Daniel Gaffer PJ.
Washington, but all it being ledby Luka Donson Kyprie Irving now being supplemented
(20:33):
by a thirty four year old sniperfrom the three point line that will provide
them the kind of shooting that willmake it hell for defenses all season long.
I would not be surprised if thisMavericks offense is a record setting one
this upcoming season because Luka Doncic,who shot thirty eight percent from three himself
on volume, continues to improve asa three point shooter and hopefully he will
(20:59):
come back this upcoming season healthy aswell. So when you talk about the
offense that the Mavericks are going tohave with Luca Kyrie, Klay Thompson and
improved three point shooter in terms ofPJ Washington obviously, with the physicality and
the presence of a Derek Lively thesecond as well, along with Daniel Gaffer
coming off the bench, You've gota lot of things to be excited about
(21:22):
about this team and their ability tocompete with the top four teams of the
West. When you're looking at theOklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets,
the Minnesota Timberwolves, you feel likethe Mavericks are right there. Based off
of what they were able to dofrom a defensive standpoint, becoming the best
defenses in the league during the lasttwenty games of the season and using that
(21:45):
to get to the NBA Finals,but now the experience that all of them
will have not only going to thatrun, but now having a full offseason
to work together and then go intotraining camp to continue to build on that
chemistry. The sky is the limitfor the Mavericks based on what they've put
together and now they believe they haveall of the necessary ingredients and elements to
(22:07):
be able to make that kind ofrun. This defense will have to continue
to be one of the best inthe league because we know that the offense
is going to be there night afternight, and yes, well some of
the defense maybe take a slight stepback with Klay Thompson being in the starting
lineup. Naturally, it will basedoff of where he is in terms of
his physical abilities at thirty four yearsold, but I don't think it'll be
(22:30):
as near of a steep of adrop off as what folks may think based
on what they believe Clay is atthis stage and his career. If you
are to believe how motivated this playersounds to prove people wrong about what he
still is as a player, Iexpect a really good Klay Thompson this upcoming
season to really provide himself the bestopportunity to maximize what he still has left
(22:55):
in his career and his game,and more importantly be able to show case
that night after night with the DallasMavericks on both ends of the floor,
because no matter what, he's betterthan what you were able to move on
from in terms of tim Hardaway Juniorfrom a defensive standpoint, and we already
know that he's a much better playerin terms of being a shooter as well.
(23:17):
So all in all, you feelgood about what the Mavericks have done
this offseason, and now they havea player who wants to be here,
desires to continue to prove people wrong, but now has the talent around him
at the young ages when we're talkingabout, especially with Luka Dacic, to
be able to see himself fitting inseamlessly with this team. And for Jason
(23:41):
Kidd, the head coach, henow gets to coach another California kid in
terms of Klay Thompson, so theconnection should be nice and easy between the
two of them. Klay thoms aretalking about how much he is looking forward
to playing with the head coach whohas now put himself in position to be
considered he is now literally NBA Finalscoach this team, Nico Harrison, the
(24:03):
President of Basketball Operations, that saidthey want everyone to come back ten to
fifteen percent better. If everyone isable to do that. Given what they've
achieved so far this offseason and witheveryone coming back healthy and motivated and being
able to be a year better,the Mavericks are literally one of the four
(24:25):
best teams in the West that havea chance to get back to the NBA
Finals and this time win it.With a true complete team filled with guys
that can defend, can shoot,and led by two superstars and Luka Donchson
Kyrie Irving that can go toe totoe with the best of them. Yes,
the matchups were able to break theirway and the Mavericks earn their right
(24:48):
to get to the NBA Finals.How they navigate themselves through a treacherous West
is going to be fun and interestingto watch. As we mentioned with the
top three teams with Oklahoma City,Denver and Minnesota getting better as well,
with Nikolea Jokich a course an MVPcandidate every single year. Obviously, Shay
Gildus Alaxander will be a leading MVPcandidate going into next season as well,
(25:11):
and Anthony Edwards, who had abreakout postseason. How much more he continues
to grow, especially with him playingwith Team USA, and we know how
confident that he is, so makeno mistake about it. The West has
improved throughout the course of the softseason, but the Mavericks responded in conn
to improve themselves, to be rightthere in the thick of it in this
(25:32):
conversation, and they are not tobe taken lightly now with Klay Thompson,
especially in the fold, the Mavericksare a team to be reckoned with and
they believe, I believe they havetheir missing piece in order to win a
championship. Now we will watch itall unfold on the floor throughout the course
of the summer, during training camp, but also into the regular season,
(25:56):
and hopefully a healthy one for KlayThomas, who yes, will turn thirty
five during the course of the year. But if you were to believe what
you heard from him in his firstwords as a Dallas Maverick, this player
is ready to go and to ensurethat he is in fact the reason that
all that tape that he studied andwatching the Mavericks make it to the NBA
(26:18):
Finals. Now seeing himself being partof this team, he will be in
those situations and be able to helpthe Mavericks capitalize on those opportunities to be
able to win a championship for thefirst time since twenty eleven, since the
last time a number thirty one wasable to win a championship with the Mavericks
and Jason Terry and how invaluable hewas to that run. Klay Thompson looking
(26:42):
to do the same ball making history, passing Reggie Miller, but also delivering
on what he believes can be wonfor the Thumb moving forward as far as
another championship, Klay Thompson Dallas Maverickcan't say that enough how monumental this is
for this team and what it meansfor them going forward into this upcoming season
(27:03):
and beyond. That'll do it forthis episode of Inside the Mass Again,
thank you so much for joining mehere on the program. Makes you a
download and subscribe to the podcast whereveryou get your podcast for free, give
it a five star rating, writea review for it while you're there.
If you're watching this on my YouTubechannel a's Kevin Gray Sports, makes you
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(27:26):
so much for the support of theshow and of course of the channel,
and you can follow me on xat Kevin Gray Sports. This has been
Inside the MAVs presented by Aura
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