The NBA Finals are the biggest stage of the entire season. Not all players can live up to the challenge of performing under the lights. The Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson has been a regular face in the Finals and has done his part in his previous appearances. However, this time the clock has ticked in the wrong direction.

The splash brother has struggled to make his shots and play the second man to Stephen Curry. Generally not bothered by crowds, Klay went on a full onslaught against the Boston Celtics crowd in Game 3. But a former NBA guard feels Klay is just out of rhythm.

Thompson played in his last NBA Finals back in 2019. Notably, an injury in those Finals kept Klay out for two whole seasons. However, since then, Thompson has come back with confidence and hunger to get his place back.

And he was on pace to do so until the NBA Finals hit this season. The Celtics‘ defense has left him no room to shine as he has shot below par in this series. Moreover, his impact on the defense isn’t the same either.

The pressure really got to him in Game 3 when he did not hold back against the road crowd. However, former NBA player Rex Chapman believes Klay is going through a nightmare phase.

WATCH THIS STORY – 5 best Memes on Chris Paul Choking Yet Again in the NBA Playoffs

Klay Thompson affected by time off the floor?

There aren’t many players in the NBA who have a shot as pure as Klay Thompson. The Warriors guard has been on the money for the most part of his career. Making a living off showing up in the big moments, Klay has almost never failed to deliver.

However, being away from the big stage for too long seems to be getting the best of the former All-Star. Speaking on his outburst over the crowd in Game 3, Chapman believes Klay is feeling overwhelmed by the pressure he has on him.

Trending

102.3k readers Last 30 min

Days after Buying $3.3 Billion Worth NBA Team From Michael Jordan, Rapper J Cole Appeals for Colin Kaepernick to Aaron Rodgers’ New Team

September 27, 2023 01:03 pm EDT

Days After LeBron James Gives Team USA Commitment With Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Son Bryce Follows Suit

September 27, 2023 10:45 pm EDT

18 Days After Coco Gauff’s ‘Fire’ Speech at the US Open, WNBA Sensation Breanna Stewart Raises the Roof as She Repeats the Tennis Star’s ‘Burning’ Words to Mark a Major Milestone

September 27, 2023 04:19 pm EDT

Forced to Eat Dinner at 6:30, Barack Obama Revealed to Stephen Curry How Wife Michelle Made Him a Better POTUS: “Not Gonna Have These Girls Wait for You”

September 27, 2023 10:32 pm EDT

17 Days After Protecting Coco Gauff, Celtics Legend Unlocks Old Secret With 4x NBA All-Star

September 26, 2023 06:20 pm EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

He said: “You’ve never heard Klay say anything like what he said last night about the fans. Because he’s always had every bit of confidence, and confidence is such a beautiful thing when you have it and when you don’t. Klay knows what kind of player he is and the player he will probably be in the fall.”

Chapman continued saying, “You’ve never seen him overwhelmed defensively by anyone. Not Kawhi, not anyone. Klay is one of the best two-way defenders ever. Occasionally, he’ll get overwhelmed by Jayson Tatum right now or Jaylen Brown with their athleticism and you’ve never seen that happen. So he is going through something that is sort of nightmarish as an athlete.”

Klay has had a rough time in the 2022 NBA Finals so far. He is averaging just 17.3 points per game while shooting 35% from the field for the Warriors. In addition, his +/- stands at -2.5, which as a two-way defender isn’t a sight Klay is used to. However, Klay assumed his responsibility without any complaints despite being rusty.

He came right in as the second option behind Curry and hasn’t looked back. Thomspon isn’t one to not admit his failures, but sometimes athletes have moments of outburst.

Lebron James and Kevin Durant Face Struggle for Survival as NBA Hints at Another Blow to Their Legacy

However, through the course of the season, one thing has come clear. You can never count Klay Thompson out. Do you think Klay will have a big game in these NBA Finals? Let us know your views in the comments below.