Sweet Shooting Klay

NBADraft.net’s view on Klay Thomspon, SG, Washington State:

Height: 6-7

Weight: 206

My Comparison: Kevin Martin

Strengths: One of the top pure shooters on the college level … Prolific outside shooter with a defined role for the NBA level … Right hander who at 6’6 with long arms has good size for the NBA 2-guard position … Shows an excellent feel having been around the game his entire life. Understands his limitations and plays within his game well … Plays well off the ball. Stays active. Works hard to create scoring opportunities. Understands how to create shots for himself off the ball coming off screens … Very good spot up shooter … Comfortable handling the ball and can use the dribble to create shots … Can use his left hand effectively … Shows an advanced in between game with tear drops and the use of the glass … Effectively uses pump fakes to draw defenders off balance … Has perfect form on his shot and deep range. Squares to the basket. Quick, concise, fluid stroke with a high release … Gets his shot off quickly and can do so without needing much space … Exhibits prudent shot selection … Large wingspan allows him to play more athletic than he appears. Can dunk on his defenders if he catches opponents napping … Solid decision maker with a positive a/to ratio … 1.6 steals per game as a senior showed his progression as a defender / anticipation … Extremely level headed, doesn’t show a great deal of emotion or get rattled easily.

Weaknesses: An average athlete who plays below the rim … He’s a “momentum athlete” in the sense that he shows solid athleticism when he has momentum moving towards the rim … Much better in the half court than in the open floor. His lack of elite athleticism gets exposed in the transition game … Lacks great foot speed which inhibits his ability to take the ball off the dribble against quick defenders … Recevied a one game suspension due to a marijuana possession charge, but scouts don’t seem too concerned about that therefore it hasn’t affected his stock much … Long, athletic defenders can give him trouble.

Notes: Was among the top 10 scorers in the nation as a junior at 22.1 ppg … He’s the son of former #1 overall pick Mychal Thompson (1978) … Put up 43 points at Washington knocking down eight 3 point shots.

My Take: Another prime-time scorer, who will make the Warriors that much more exciting to watch.  Good size for a wing.  Unselfish and will be able to thrive at the three-spot, if necessary in the Bay Area.  He will make a smoothless transition over to the pros.  I can’t wait to see the line-up of: Curry-Monta-Klay-Wright-Udoh.

Second Round Success: The Warriors traded for Jeremy Tyler, a player who Slam Dunk Central’s mock draft had Boston taking No. 25 in the first round.  Tyler is an interesting story and a big body the team hasn’t seen in awhile.  He has the prototypical size of a true post guy at 262-pounds and the height of a legit center at 6-foot-11.  Also, he possess the athleticism and strength that will allow him to play both inside positions, no matter who he faces.  As for Charles Jenkins, the scoring guard from Hofstra, he reminds me of Ronald “Flip” Murray meets Jason Terry.  Instant offense.  Holds unique feel for creating his shot off the dribble.  Jenkins was selected 20th overall in our SDC mock draft.

Biedrins on the block: It looks like the team is adamant on dealing their center.  Could Tyler be ready sooner than expected?  From the New York Post, it sounded like Hasheem Thabeet for Andris.