{"id":11177,"date":"2022-01-11T21:47:44","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T21:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/2022\/01\/11\/stephen-curry-klay-thompson-keep-sharpening-each-others-games\/"},"modified":"2022-01-11T21:47:45","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T21:47:45","slug":"stephen-curry-klay-thompson-keep-sharpening-each-others-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/stephen-curry-klay-thompson-keep-sharpening-each-others-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson keep sharpening each other&#8217;s games"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"attachment_677712\" style=\"width: 1578px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-677712\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were glad to reunite again on the court Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0<b>VOTE NOW for your 2022 NBA All-Stars!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The moment could have prompted Stephen Curry to proclaim his greatness. Shortly after the Golden State Warriors\u2019 star became the NBA\u2019s career leader 3-pointers made, however, Curry deflected the attention away from himself and his strong marksmanship.<\/p>\n<p>Once Curry arrived in the Warriors\u2019 locker room after their win against the New York Knicks last month, he honored other elite shooters. Curry hung the jerseys of the players he eclipsed at No. 1 (Ray Allen) and No. 2 (Reggie Miller). Curry also hung the jersey of Warriors guard Klay Thompson after the two won three NBA championships together and became one of the best backcourts in NBA history.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not the shooter I am if I don\u2019t get to see Klay every single day do what he does,\u201d Curry said. \u201cHe keeps you sharp and understands to shoot the ball the way I want to, there is another guy that can do it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If only Thompson could witness the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Thompson did not attend that game in New York when Curry eclipsed Allen\u2019s 3-point record mark for a simple reason: he spent the last month practicing with the Warriors\u2019 NBA G League team in Santa Cruz. That itinerary represented Thompson\u2019s final rehab stages after staying sidelined the past 2 1\/2 years because of season-ending injuries to his left knee (2019-20) and right Achilles tendon (2020-21).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSteph knows how hard I work,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cWhen he was doing that, I was supporting him from Santa Cruz. I was competing against our G League team, and they were getting me ready. I was there in spirit. He knows that. He knows I had things to do. So although it was tough to watch, I knew I had to get right and get prepared to help this team win a chip.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p><iframe class=\"endeavor-embed endeavor-embed-1394279 endeavor-embed-prod\" data-endeavor-id=\"1394279\" data-endeavor-env=\"prod\" src=\"https:\/\/watch.nba.com\/embed2?id=1394279&amp;autostart=false&amp;mute=true\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steph Curry gives his thoughts on Klay Thompson&#8217;s first game back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Finally, Thompson has helped the Warriors prepare for that moment. After staying sidelined for the past 941 days, Thompson returned for the Warriors\u2019 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at Chase Center in a game that featured 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting, a one-handed dunk and some rust in just under 20 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Thompson hopes to make more progress when the Warriors (30-9) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (28-14) on Tuesday (<strong>8 ET, NBA TV<\/strong>). He\u2019s looking to complement Curry against the Grizzlies\u2019 talented young backcourt in Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. And of course, Thompson hopes to help the Warriors win an NBA title this season after spending the past two seasons in the Draft lottery (2019-20) and the Play-In Tournament (2020-21).<\/p>\n<p>Curry and his teammates shared a laugh recently that Thompson did not directly experience the Warriors\u2019 on-court hardships considering he spent most of that time in the trainer\u2019s room. But during that lengthy ordeal, the Warriors and Thompson certainly missed each other. And now that Curry and Thompson have reunited, they sensed they can restore their winning partnership.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p><iframe class=\"endeavor-embed endeavor-embed-1394285 endeavor-embed-prod\" data-endeavor-id=\"1394285\" data-endeavor-env=\"prod\" src=\"https:\/\/watch.nba.com\/embed2?id=1394285&amp;autostart=false&amp;mute=true\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take a look back at Klay Thompson&#8217;s triumphant return to the Warriors&#8217; lineup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe have an amazingly talented group, and it\u2019s very deep,\u201d Curry said. \u201cI don\u2019t know what it\u2019s going to look like. But I know we have the capability and opportunity to get there, and he\u2019s a huge part of that obviously. It\u2019s exciting it\u2019s all coming together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It did not take long for Curry and Thompson to come together.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after the Warriors used their top picks to draft Curry\u00a0 (No. 7 in 2009) and Thompson (No. 11 in 2011), Golden State dealt point guard Monta Ellis to Milwaukee for two reasons. The Warriors wanted to get bigger and did so by landing Andrew Bogut in the deal. They also wanted to empower Curry and Thompson with more opportunities to grow.<\/p>\n<p>A year later, former Warriors coach Mark Jackson dubbed Curry and Thompson \u201cthe greatest shooting backcourt in the history of the game.\u201d Jackson\u2019s comments have since stood the test of time.<\/p>\n<p>Curry and Thompson became known as the \u201cSplash Brothers\u201d for how they continuously soaked their opponents with elite outside shooting. Curry owns the NBA\u2019s 3-point scoring record (3,016) in 13 NBA seasons and counting. Thompson cemented the NBA\u2019s record for most 3-pointers made in a game (14), a record that Curry previously held. Curry (twice) and Thompson (one) have also won the NBA\u2019s 3-point contest in various All-Star weekends.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p><iframe class=\"endeavor-embed endeavor-embed-180169 endeavor-embed-prod\" data-endeavor-id=\"180169\" data-endeavor-env=\"prod\" src=\"https:\/\/watch.nba.com\/embed2?id=180169&amp;autostart=false&amp;mute=true\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">In this interview from 2013, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry talk about their then-burgeoning bond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>But when did Curry know he and Thompson would produce something special together?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a gradual confidence,\u201d Curry said. \u201cWe don\u2019t really step on each other\u2019s toes. We complement each other. But that takes a while to truly believe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Curry said that moment happened in 2014 when the Warriors challenged the LA Clippers to a seven-game first-round playoff series. Although former Clippers guard Chris Paul averaged 17.4 points and 9.0 assists per game on 42.3% shooting in that series, Curry became impressed with how Thompson challenged Paul defensively.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat set the stage for what the next five-year run would look like,\u201d Curry said. \u201cHe was a huge part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Curry and Thompson helped each other in various ways.<\/p>\n<p>They worked as decoys for each other so at least one of them had an open look from deep. One of them filled it up from outside when the other could not. And when both could, defenses had a horrible decision to make with determining which player to prioritize.<\/p>\n<p>Curry created his 3-point shots both with superb ball-handling and off-ball cutting. Thompson created his 3-point shots with efficient off-ball cutting and a quick release. And Thompson relieved Curry\u2019s workload by also defending the opponent\u2019s top perimeter scorer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI couldn\u2019t imagine playing with any other point guard because we got such a great chemistry,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cWe know each other\u2019s favorite spots and where we want the ball. I\u2019m just thankful to share the backcourt with him because he\u2019s such a selfless and amazing competitor and teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>No wonder Curry honored Thompson after officially becoming the NBA\u2019s top 3-point shooter of all time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShooting the basketball is what we do,\u201d Curry said. \u201cThe work we put in since he got here, the level of inspiration we both have for each other and the internal competition we had \u2014 all of that helped me get to that point throughout my career.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those fun times came to an abrupt halt when Thompson injured the ACL in his left knee against the Toronto Raptors in a decisive Game 6 loss of the 2019 NBA Finals. While Thompson stayed sidelined for the entire 2019-20 campaign, Curry played only five games after injuring his left hand only four games into the season. Then on the afternoon of the 2020 NBA Draft, Thompson ruptured his right Achilles tendon after taking a pull-up jumper in a pick-up game with other NBA players in L.A.<\/p>\n<p>Though Curry finished among the league\u2019s regular-season Kia MVP candidates, the Warriors could not make the playoffs without Thompson\u2019s presence. While Thompson spent the past 13 months rehabbing that injury, Curry comforted him occasionally on the sideline while watching the games.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p><iframe class=\"endeavor-embed endeavor-embed-1368628 endeavor-embed-prod\" data-endeavor-id=\"1368628\" data-endeavor-env=\"prod\" src=\"https:\/\/watch.nba.com\/embed2?id=1368628&amp;autostart=false&amp;mute=true\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">A still-rehabbing Klay Thompson drains multiple 3-pointers in warmups before a Hornets-Warriors game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Once Thompson returned on Sunday, Curry showed his appreciation in other ways. Curry scheduled his pre-game warmup around the same time as Thompson. Curry also gave up the last spot in starting lineup introductions to Thompson so that he received the most fan adulation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was special. It set up the love that I know he\u2019s been waiting for with that moment,\u201d Curry said. \u201cHe\u2019s gone through so many highs and lows these last 2 1\/2 years. That was the moment where you can celebrate that journey, and just go hoop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After Curry and Thompson finally hooped together for the first time in 18 months, the two embraced. Thompson then remarked, \u201cThis is only the beginning.\u201d That is because he believes the Splash Brothers can end the Warriors\u2019 championship drought.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s been an incredible role model for me, and an even better leader,\u201d Thompson said of Curry. \u201cIt felt natural again. Steph is one of the best to ever play it. It\u2019s an honor to be his two-guard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>* * *<\/p>\n<div class=\"lg:pr-3 lg:w-3\/4\">\n<div class=\"Article_article__2Ue3h\">\n<p><em>Mark Medina is a senior writer\/analyst for\u00a0NBA.com. You can e-mail him\u00a0here, find his archive\u00a0here\u00a0and follow him\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkG_Medina\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkG_Medina\">on Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"http:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were glad to reunite again on the court Sunday. \u2022\u00a0VOTE NOW for your 2022 NBA All-Stars! The moment could have prompted Stephen Curry to proclaim his greatness. Shortly after the Golden State Warriors\u2019 star became the NBA\u2019s career leader 3-pointers made, however, Curry deflected the attention away from himself and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[174],"tags":[425,498,563,1470,424,197],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11177"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11177"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11179,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11177\/revisions\/11179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}