Klay Thompson - Lockdown (Playoffs 2015)

Описание: Klay Thompson received a single point (meaning one second team vote) for the 2013-14 All-defensive team. That number jumped to 19 points this season (with three first team votes). That’s more than Marc Gasol (18), Serge Ibaka (8), and Mike Conley (6). In years prior, Marc Jackson tasked Klay with locking down the best team’s ball handler because he didn’t think Steph was up to snuff. It was basically a crash course in becoming a better defensive player, because what helps you learn to stay on your feet more than having to guard a Chris Paul, or a Mike Conley, or a Kyrie Irving?

With Steve Kerr trusting Curry to hold his own, Klay was freed to wreak more havoc on the defensive end. His length and lateral quickness really disrupted a lot of what teams were trying to do. Between the DPOY runner up in Draymond Green, to an all-defense stalwart in Andre Iguodala, the athletic Harrison Barnes, the lanky Shaun Livingston, and Barbosa, the Brazilian blur (standing 6’2’’ but with a 6’10 wingspan), the Dubs had a swarm of interchangable defenders that they unleashed on the league. That’s why Golden State had one of the best seasons in NBA history in terms of point differential (8th all-time) and were the best defense for the entire season.

You’ll see a lot of him picking off passes, and blocking shots, but I’d really like you to pay attention to how he stays in front of guys. He’s athletic, that’s not even a question, but he’s also smart with his body positioning. He knows how to force guys into help, and angles his body perfectly in order to bait players into what will be an incredible contest.

These are obviously from just the 2015 playoffs, I made a video featuring older defensive highlights. You can find that here:    • Klay Thompson - Lockdown