Inside: Thompson looks locked in for 3-point shooting contest.
SoCal native is confident of his chances in 3-point contest
On his way to the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, Warriors guard Stephen Curry asked Klay Thompson a simple question.
Does Thompson plan to practice before competing in the NBA 3-point competition today as part of NBA All-Star weekend?
“He said no,” Curry said. “So I’m taking Klay. That means he’s going to be locked in.”
It also means that Thompson has perfected his outside shooting stroke pretty well through his seventh NBA season. NBA TV analyst and former NBA point guard Isiah Thomas also considers Thompson the favorite to win against a field that features Eric Gordon (Rockets), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Paul George (Thunder), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Devin Booker (Suns), Wayne Ellington (Heat) and Tobias Harris (Clippers).
“In game-time situations, Klay is the best shooter, and he’s been there before,” Thomas said. “He understands the format now.”
Ironically, Thomas’ confidence partly stems from his belief that Thompson would practice beforehand. Mychal Thompson, Klay’s father and a former Showtime Lakers player, argued such an issue may have contributed toward Thompson finishing in last place in last year’s 3-point shootout in New Orleans.
“I don’t know if he practiced last year. That’s why he didn’t do as well as he did,” Mychal Thompson said. “So make sure you get up a few racks to get yourself ready for Saturday night.”
It appears Klay Thompson already feels prepared enough without that extra work.
In what he called a “huge honor and dream come true,” Thompson will return to the city he grew up playing in at Santa Margarita High. Staples Center also represents the venue a young Thompson attended to watch Lakers games. With his father working as a radio analyst for the Lakers’ flagship station, Klay Thompson often saw NBA players in the hallway while waiting for Mychal to finish his work.
“I have a lot of competition,” Klay Thompson said. “I’ll play hard. I’ll shoot the ball and hopefully try to put on a show for the hometown fans.”
Thompson had already put on shows in the NBA 3-point competitions in 2015 in New York and 2016 in Toronto. In both instances, Thompson and Curry went headto-head in showcasing their outside shooting supremacy. Thompson finished third after Curry made 13 consecutive shots. In 2016, Thompson won at Curry’s expense.
“It was fun having two teammates battling it out,” Curry said. “It’s pretty cool to think back playing that we had some battles in the 3-point contest and maybe a couple in years to come. But sharpshooters love to play the best of the best. He’s obviously the best of the best.”
Therefore, Mychal Thompson argued a certain scenario should play out during NBA All-Star weekend in 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“He and Steph make the Finals in Steph’s hometown,” Mychal said. “That way they can retire from the 3-point contest.”
Curry expressed uncertainty on if he would entertain that idea. So for now, Klay Thompson will try to win for his hometown fans.
Even if he does not feel he needs to practice, Thompson has prepared by avoiding the All-Star festivities. Other than attending a NBA Jr. Fan event today, Thompson has spent his time with just family and friends so he can stay focused.
“It’s a real pinch myself moment and I’m going to soak up and enjoy every second I can because it goes by so fast,” Thompson said. “A 3-point shootout is a good time. It’s just you, five racks and 20,000 people. I’m excited for it.”