Klay Thompson. NBA champion. Olympic Gold medalist. 2x NBA All-Star. 2x All-NBA Third Team. In 2013-14, Klay received a single point (one second team vote) for the All-Defensive team. 2014-15 saw that number jump to 19 (with three first team votes). The season the Warriors went a historic 73-9, Klay Thompson garnered 49 points (16 first team votes). This means that more and more, people are recognizing how great a defender Klay is. He was the guard closest to making the team, and considering where he was 3 seasons ago, there’s a strong chance he’ll be able to grind his way this year.

The Warriors have a two-time MVP in Steph Curry, and a two-time DPOY runner up in Draymond Green, but when their backs were against the ropes in the playoffs, Klay was the one who willed them back to life. Game 6 in Oklahoma City was an elimination game in a place where they hadn’t won all series long. Klay made an NBA playoff record 11 three-pointers to rescue the Dubs. Thompson is an offensive onslaught waiting to happen, but his dynamic defense is what keeps opposing guards (and bigger players when Klay is forced to switch up a position or two) at bay. The Warriors won 88 games last season (73 regular season, 15 playoff wins) and that was in no small part thanks to Klay Thompson’s intensity on both ends of the floor.

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