5 reasons why Klay Thompson's return won't be enough to elevate Golden State Warriors as a championship-worthy team in the 2021-22 NBA season

Klay Thompson's return might not be enough to make the Golden State Warriors a championship team
Klay Thompson's return might not be enough to make the Golden State Warriors a championship team

The Golden State Warriors have high hopes regarding Klay Thompson's return as to what might be in the 2021-22 NBA season. But what happens if the sharpshooter is not enough to elevate the team to become championship contenders?

It has been a rough patch for the Warriors as they have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons despite their utter dominance from 2015 to 2019. It started to fall apart for them when Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant sustained severe injuries in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Klay Thompson has been unavailable since then, missing two consecutive seasons. Although scheduled to return by December, it will take a while before we see him operating at full speed.

While we anticipate that everything will turn out great, there is a high chance that Klay Thompson's return will not provide the boost the Warriors hoped for. Teams in the West have stacked up their rosters. With the Utah Jazz fielding the best defensive player in the league and the LA Lakers putting together an overtly experienced roster, the competition in the West will be a lot harder.

We will have to wait and see how Klay Thompson's return will impact the Golden State Warriors. However, here are five reasons why his return won't be enough to elevate the Warriors as a championship-worthy team in the 2021-22 season.


#1 It will take some time for Klay Thompson to shake off the rust

Klay Thompson #11 shoots a three-pointer
Klay Thompson #11 shoots a three-pointer

Shaking off the rust will not be an easy feat for Klay Thompson. Although there are videos of the 6"9 small forward lighting it up from beyond the arc during training, game conditions are different.

Kevin Durant returned from a torn Achilles with great gusto, which could be a good sign and what is achievable for Thompson. But no two recovery processes are the same, and Durant's scoring skills are near perfect.

With the season set to commence on October 19, 2021, and Klay Thompson expected to return in December at the earliest, he might not hit top form early enough to guarantee the Warriors a suitable finish in the West.


#2 Klay Thompson might not be the defensive maestro he once was

Klay Thompson needs to help Draymond Green on defense
Klay Thompson needs to help Draymond Green on defense

Klay Thompson is undoubtedly one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA. His 6'7" frame and 6'9" wingspan has made it easy for him to slide his feet quickly and keep up with wings or guards, as the case may be.

However, he might struggle to be the defensive juggernaut he once was considering his long absence from the league. To be a championship-worthy team, Thompson needs to contribute on defense to lessen the load on Draymond Green.

Also Read: Who is Klay Thompson’s girlfriend, Laura Harrier?

#3 Klay Thomspon will not be able to keep up with the pace of the game

Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors

The number of games Klay Thompson has missed will make it difficult for him to move up and down the court as quickly as he ought to. Although his style of play does not entirely depend on his athleticism, he will need to be dependable on both ends of the court.

The nature of his injury might make things a bit tricky, seeing as he will not need to exert much pressure on the foot right off the bat. Even as his minutes will be limited in the early days, keeping up with the pace of the game might be a tad difficult.


#4 Other teams have stronger lineups

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a press conference
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a press conference

Klay Thompson's return will be an instant boost for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry will benefit the most as the scoring load will be lessened. The long-awaited reunion of the Splash Brothers will undoubtedly help the Warriors put more points on the score sheet.

Regardless, other teams have restructured their squad and acquired the needed firepower to contend for the championship. The LA Lakers will be their most feared opponent in the Western Conference.

Rob Pelinka went all out in the 2021 offseason to bring in players who can produce with or without LeBron James on the court.

In NBA history, the 2021 Lakers team has the most All-Star selections with 60. Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Rajon Rondo are some of the All-Stars that were acquired in the offseason.

Down East, Klay Thompson and the Warriors will have to contend with the Brooklyn Nets, assuming both teams reach the NBA Finals. The firepower of the Nets team is the most lethal in the league, which will undoubtedly be a problem for every team in the NBA.

So, even with Klay Thompson's return, clinching the 2022 NBA championship is still a tall task.


#5 It will take some time to rebuild chemistry

Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors
Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors

The Warriors developed an incredible bond and played as a unit during their dominant run from 2015-2019. Even with a few additions from time to time, the core of the team remained.

In an attempt to recreate that synergy, the Warriors have acquired Andre Iguodala, who was pivotal in the Warriors 2015 championship. While that will improve the team's chemistry, Klay Thompson will need more time to reacclimatize himself with his teammates.

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Edited by Rohit Mishra