The Golden State Warriors have relied heavily on other players to take charge more in recent weeks with the absence of star point guard Steph Curry. Star shooting guard Klay Thompson has taken the lead role in a big way. Sunday’s 109-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was no exception for Thompson, who scored a game-high 32 points.
Thompson was asked after the game about who made him the competitive player that he has turned into. He credited the late Kobe Bryant and his mindset for adding to his game.
“Growing up a 90s baby and watching the 90s and 2000s, the greatest to ever play this game was the biggest competitors,” said Thompson in an interview with NBA TV’s Steve Smith. “Being the shooting guard I am, I idolized Kobe Bryant. He was never one to make friends out on the court and wanted to win at all costs.”
"My style resembles that of Reggie Miller. I call myself the modern day Reggie."@KlayThompson on who has inspired his game throughout his career. pic.twitter.com/2EYfMryAHg
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 27, 2023
However, when it came down to ultimately naming a comparison to his play-style, he said that his game is most similar to former Indiana Pacers Hall of Famer and current TNT personality Reggie Miller.
“My style resembles that of Reggie Miller. I call myself the modern-day Reggie. Reggie got into so many scraps and got under so many people’s skin.”
Obviously comparing yourself to a Hall of Famer is a bit bold for most players. However, Thompson’s resume certainly put him in the same tier as Reggie Miller.
If anything, Thompson may be underselling himself a bit, averaging more points in his career and having far more team success than Miller did in his career.
Regardless, it is certainly cool to hear the players of the past that Thompson’s game was helped formed by.
