Klay Thompson’s best 5 seasons

Table of Contents

When we talk about Klay Thompson, we're not just talking about one of the most dynamic shooters of all time - we're talking about a basketball Renaissance man. A player who can score 60 points in three quarters while also being one of the most underrated defenders in the league? That's Klay for you. It's a bit like when Bruce Springsteen released "Born to Run" in 1975 and then followed it up with a barrage of hits, each unique and iconic in its own right. Thompson's got layers, and each season tells a different story. So, without further ado, let's break down Klay's top 5 seasons.

5. 2018-2019: The Underdog Story

Stats: 21.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 46.7% FG, 40.2% 3PT

The Warriors were now the NBA's Death Star, and every team was looking for that one weak spot to destroy them. But here's the thing: Klay wasn’t about to be that weakness. In a season overshadowed by the theatrics of Draymond Green-Kevin Durant spats and Curry's interstellar shooting, Klay stayed consistent. He was the quiet efficiency behind the roaring engine. Imagine "Star Wars" without Han Solo - that's the kind of indispensable Klay was this season. His usage rate wasn’t as pronounced, but when the team needed a bailout, Thompson was there with his timely threes and lock-down D.

4. 2015-2016: The Breakout King

Stats: 22.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47% FG, 42.5% 3PT

The 73-win season! The one where the Warriors seemed to be redefining the NBA landscape, only to be stopped by LeBron's "block" and Kyrie's "shot." And yet, despite the heartbreaking end, this was a pivotal year for Klay. Remember that game 6 against OKC? Yeah, the one where he went supernova, dropped 41 points, and basically saved the Warriors from an early summer vacation. Thompson’s offensive prowess felt like Quentin Tarantino’s movie plots – unexpected, intricate, and always delivering. He was more than just Curry's splash brother now; he was a burgeoning superstar.

3. 2014-2015: The Ascension

Stats: 21.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 46.3% FG, 43.9% 3PT

This was the season Klay and Steph were baptized as the "Splash Brothers." If the NBA were the 90's hip-hop scene, they were Outkast, bringing a fresh sound to the league. Klay's 37 points in a single quarter against the Kings was like watching Hendrix play guitar with his teeth – you just didn’t know such things were possible until you saw them. He was evolving from a pure shooter to a complete scorer, driving to the basket more and refining his mid-range game. It was clear: a star was born.

2. 2016-2017: The Versatile Guardian

Stats: 22.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 46.8% FG, 41.4% 3PT

Here, Klay showcased another layer of his basketball artistry: defense. Like the way Scorsese effortlessly jumps between genres, Klay jumped between guarding point guards and power forwards. His offense was still impeccable, but it's his defense that stood out. In a team with Draymond Green and Kevin Durant, Thompson often took on the opposition's best player. He was the unsung hero, the rhythm guitarist who keeps the melody going while the lead guitarist (Curry) steals the show with solos. But make no mistake, without Klay's versatility, that symphony wouldn’t have sounded as sweet.

1. 2017-2018: Peak Klay

Stats: 20.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 48.8% FG, 44.0% 3PT

Here's the thing about Klay: just when you think you've figured him out, he shifts gears. This season was peak Klay. It was like watching the Beatles in their 'Revolver' phase – a master at work, at the pinnacle of his powers. While his points per game dipped slightly, his efficiency was off the charts. Almost 49% from the field and 44% from deep? Those are Steve Jobs-inventing-the-iPhone kind of numbers. He was the ultimate two-way player, seamlessly fusing offense with defense.