The Dallas Mavericks are no strangers to integrating star players into their system. Last season, they successfully acclimated Kyrie Irving to the team, forming a dynamic duo with Luka Dončić. Now, the Mavericks are facing a similar challenge with Klay Thompson, one of the NBA’s most prolific shooters. As Thompson adjusts to his new team and city, the team is patient, recognizing that building chemistry takes time. While initial struggles are expected, the Mavericks are confident that Thompson will eventually find his rhythm and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
Klay Thompson’s Early Struggles
The Dallas team have kicked off their season with a solid 5-3 record. While Luka Dončić has been his usual dominant self, the team’s prized offseason acquisition, Klay Thompson, has experienced a somewhat rocky start.
Despite a promising 22-point debut, Thompson’s scoring output has since dipped. He’s averaged 14.5 points per game on 12 field goal attempts per game, a significant decline from his career norms. These figures are comparable to his rookie season, highlighting the challenges he’s faced in adapting to his new role with the Mavericks.
Dončić’s Perspective on the Integration
Luka Dončić, the Mavericks’ superstar point guard, acknowledged the early challenges in integrating Klay Thompson into the team’s offensive system. He drew parallels to his own experience with Kyrie Irving, emphasizing the need for time and chemistry to develop.
“I think we’re still trying to figure out,” Dončić explained. “You know it’s not easy to connect with a guy right away. It’s like I think me and [Kyrie Irving], we needed some time to connect. Now we have all three on the squad so obviously we’re going to need some more time, but it’s getting easier and easier figuring out how to play with him.”
The Road Ahead for the Mavericks’ Big Three
The Mavericks’ upcoming schedule offers ample opportunities for the trio of Dončić, Irving, and Thompson to solidify their on-court chemistry. With four of their next five games televised nationally, the spotlight will be on them as they aim to elevate their performance and lead the team to greater heights.
