Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard
Klay Thompson(11) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard
Jrue Holiday(11) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 128-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
While the New Orleans Pelicans have taken on the Golden State Warriors four times this season the NBA playoffs are a different animal. Teams make more adjustments from game to game, the focus on individual players is more intense and things get harder. So what to the Pelicans have to worry about? We are breaking down the group of Warriors that will probably see the floor in important situations throughout the series so Pelicans fans can know what to expect.
King James Gospel
The Golden State Warriors were widely picked on this summer when they refused to insert Klay Thompson into a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves that would have landed the Warriors the services of Kevin Love. Thompson was seen as a nice player but not one that could change develop into an All-NBA type of player the caliber of Love. As it turns out the Warriors may have been right and it has nothing to do with the down year that Love had.
Instead it has everything to do with how well Thompson has played this year as he put up a season that would be worthy of the All-NBA third team selection that he seems destined for. Thompson averaged 21.7 points per game this season for the Warriors to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while combing with Stephen Curry to give the Warriors one of the best backcourts in basketball.
The highlight of Thompson’s season came in late January when he poured in 37 points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings. It was a great display of what makes Thompson so dangerous as he made shots from all over the floor and defended well on the other end.
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