The Golden State Warriors were dead last in the 2019-2020 season and it has a lot to do with their then star Klay Thompson being out the entire calendar year. Their superstar Stephen Curry played just fives games, too.
The Dubs brought in D’Angelo Russell but they were just too undermanned.
Russell found his way back to the Dallas Mavericks and to him, it is also a chance to play with Thompson at last.
“We didn’t get to play with each other in Golden State. He knows. I played against him. He knows who I am,” said Russell who signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Mavs last July.
He also believes that together, they can do damage as he thinks Thompson is the kind of player that complement his skills well. Russell said they will have games similar to NBA 2K video game where he will just keep on setting up his teammates for a quality shot.
“Like I’m high-level bro. Like I see when you’re open. You don’t even know you’re open. Like be ready for me bro. Trust me. For all the 2Kers out there, you’re my — when I hold R1 and press circle and I don’t know where circle is — you’re my shooter.”
Klay Thompson has team chemistry as priority
Russell is one of the few new players in the Mavericks. He will be part of the core of their offense together with rookie Cooper Flagg.
Thompson will be the one more available compared to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving who will be out most of the time this summer camp as they still deal with injuries.
NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that the four-time champion has initiated work in building team chemistry through a camp he personally conducted. The best part of the report is AD who is still recovering from eye surgery was also present.
“The Mavericks, who I’m told — at the urging of sharpshooter Klay Thompson — got together for a well-attended bonding camp in Newport Beach in early September,” Stein wrote.
“Word is Anthony Davis, though he was not able to participate in the on-court activities there as he continues to recover from July eye surgery to repair a detached retina, did host a dinner for his teammates while they were working out in Southern California.”
Mavericks are looking to bounce back this season and their chances, according to critics, depend on the star players’ availability.
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