There have been questions this offseason about how Klay Thompson will act in the indicated role with a new look Heat after he spent last season with a 26-win team in Dallas. But the veteran winger, who missed two full premiership seasons (2019-21) with a torn ACL and torn Achilles, says he feels rejuvenated in Miami, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Thompson says he’s “highly motivated” to continue his hot start after scoring 14.4 points on 3.8-of-9.4 three-point attempts per game (40.8%) through his first 11 appearances (24.8 minutes per contest). If he maintains that percentage over the course of the season, it will be the second-most accurate season from beyond the arc since his return from his Achilles tear in 2021/22.
“i feel weirdsaid Thompson, who has historically been a slow starter.I haven’t felt this good in a long time – my lower limbs didn’t hurt, and I’m so grateful to be here. I mean, they’re holding me accountable, the training staff and the coaching staff, and I feel great. I haven’t felt this good to start a season in years, so I’m just inspired.
“I know what I’m capable of and so far I’m staying in great shape. That’s why I’m so drawn to Miami. The culture is real. They really get the most out of you, especially at this point in my career. I was very attracted to being an organization player.”
While Thompson’s shooting from the outside is getting a lot of attention, the head coach Erik Spoelstra noticed that the 36-year-old “winds the clock a bit” on defense, Winderman wrote.
“It’s not just about shooting” Spoelstra said of Thompson, who holds a $5.88 million player option for next season. “That part, as I said, is an exponential factor for us. But you can see that his feet are moving better defensively. He’s getting closer to who he used to be defensively.”
Here’s more on Heat:
- Thompson (left ankle soreness) and Pele Larson (illness) did not practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Friday’s NBA Finals against Cleveland. Winderman adds in another article. The story mainly focuses on the point guard Davion Mitchellan upcoming free agent who quite unexpectedly leads the Heat in minutes per game (35.8). Spoelstra said he wouldn’t mind reducing Mitchell’s workload a bit, but the former Baylor star says his body is responding well. “The body feels great” Mitchell said after Thursday’s practice.Yes, I trained all summer for these moments, for whatever happened to me. I just try to be ready. And I got in shape, my body feels good. Usually around this time, after a back to back, I feel sore or something. But I feel great.”
- Spoelstra showed early this season that he’s not afraid to change things up when the team isn’t responding the way he wants, per Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald. The Heat started the season 0-4, but have gone 5-2 in their last seven games to move to one game under .500 (5-6). Recent changes include inserting Larson into the starting lineup instead of the scrimmages Andrew Wigginsplaying more pick-and-rolls and bringing in free agent additions Tim Hardaway Jr from rotation, among others.
- How Winderman writes for The Sun Sentinelsome coaches may be concerned that three of their team’s five wins have come in the clutch against teams (Clippers, Kings and Jazz) that currently have a combined record of 4-28. But all of those wins came on the road, and Spoelstra and his players believe that gaining more experience during a crunch time will only benefit the Heat in the long run. “It will take time“, center Bam Adebayo said that heat becomes more efficient during closure. “Obviously, you want everyone to be comfortable. You want everyone to be comfortable in the fourth quarter, to have everyone in their seats and understand what we’re doing.”
- Figuring out a consistent bench rotation remains a work in progress for the Heat, according to Chan. Spoelstra says it’s a tough situation to navigate for everyone involved, but the main thing he expects from the second unit is energy and effort. “Some of these decisions are difficult for me“, Spoelstra said. “Some guys have a hard time finding their rhythm. Now we have to get over all that, put things aside and just figure out a way to make this second block positive.”