The Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship in their first season with their newly built super team. When Kevin Durant signed with the team last summer, most assumed that it would create a dominant squad but there was some worry about how two former MVP’s and two other All-Stars would fit in together.
At the time, Klay Thompson notably proclaimed that he would not be sacrificing much to help the fit. Months later and another NBA title under his belt, Thompson feels the same way.
Following via ESPN’s Zach Lowe:
“I don’t feel like I sacrificed at all,” Thompson said. “I’d rather be a part of something that could leave a legacy. There is more to basketball than getting yours, or being the guy. I hope I do this for a long time for the Warriors.”
Thompson’s not wrong: he averaged almost exactly the same number of points and field goal attempts per game. His usage rate was 0.2 percentage points lower.
This is what makes the Warriors particularly terrifying. Their players meshed almost immediately and none of them seem to be wary of sharing the spotlight. Perhaps that can change but right now, it seems like this Warriors core is geared to stay together for a long time.
