Klay Thompson - NBADraft.net (original) (raw)

NBA Comparison: Marco Belinelli

Strengths: One of the top pure shooters on the college level … Prolific outside shooter with a defined role for the NBA level … Right hander who at 6’6 with long arms has good size for the NBA 2-guard position … Shows an excellent feel having been around the game his entire life. Understands his limitations and plays within his game well … Plays well off the ball. Stays active. Works hard to create scoring opportunities. Understands how to create shots for himself off the ball coming off screens … Very good spot up shooter … Comfortable handling the ball and can use the dribble to create shots … Can use his left hand effectively … Shows an advanced in between game with tear drops and the use of the glass … Effectively uses pump fakes to draw defenders off balance … Has perfect form on his shot and deep range. Squares to the basket. Quick, concise, fluid stroke with a high release … Gets his shot off quickly and can do so without needing much space … Exhibits prudent shot selection … Large wingspan allows him to play more athletic than he appears. Can dunk on his defenders if he catches opponents napping … Solid decision maker with a positive a/to ratio … 1.6 steals per game as a senior showed his progression as a defender / anticipation … Extremely level headed, doesn’t show a great deal of emotion or get rattled easily …

Weaknesses: An average athlete who plays below the rim … He’s a "momentum athlete" in the sense that he shows solid athleticism when he has momentum moving towards the rim … Much better in the half court than in the open floor. His lack of elite athleticism gets exposed in the transition game … Lacks great foot speed which inhibits his ability to take the ball off the dribble against quick defenders … Recevied a one game suspension due to a marijuana possession charge, but scouts don’t seem too concerned about that therefore it hasn’t affected his stock much … Long, athletic defenders can give him trouble …

Notes: Was among the top 10 scorers in the nation as a junior at 22.1 ppg … He’s the son of former #1 overall pick Mychal Thompson (1978) … Put up 43 points at Washington knocking down eight 3 point shots …

Aran Smith 4/22/11