Let’s say this about Klay Thompson: he is not only arguably the second-best catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter in history, but he is also an exceptional player.

A little over a week ago, following his benching for the first time in his career during the Warriors’ game against Phoenix in the closing minutes, a story appeared claiming that Thompson and the Warriors are “not close” to agreeing to a contract extension as this summer’s free agency approaches. 

The remaining portion of Thompson’s career—certainly at Golden State, but possibly as a top-tier NBA player overall—was and is beginning to be seriously questioned. 

According to NBA tracking data, Thompson was making just 27% of his “open” 3-pointers and shooting below 40% overall when he was benched by Phoenix. By a significant amount, he was scoring at a career low on average. His defence isn’t nearly as strong as it once was. He was never able to make much for himself and he still isn’t. 

Even though it was a one-time incident, he was questioned about his demotion, and despite his professional demeanour during the press conference, it was obvious that he was upset. 

For the majority of last season and the beginning of this one, he has been in this defiant, “I’ll get the last laugh” kind of attitude, publicly addressing reporters and anybody else he believes is doubting his ability following two serious injuries. 

That’s the distinction between an athlete such as Thompson and one who is more circumstantial in their confidence—which, let’s face it, is most athletes. When you’re on the rise, it’s simple to have complete faith in yourself. But real mental toughness is put to the test when you go from racking up 3s while you sleep to finding yourself suddenly unable to produce anything consistently.  

Thompson is currently acing that exam with flying colours. Thompson has scored 30 points against the Clippers, 24 against the Nets, 28 against the Blazers, and 24 more in the Warriors’ exciting victory against the Celtics on Tuesday. These results span his last four games.

Those four games represent his season high in points scored. That’s not an accident. Nor is the 50% that he is making from three throughout that time (23-for-46). Thompson felt the heat and chose to use fire to put out fire with fire instead of melting. That is an adversary. both psychologically and physically. Thompson is the epitome of toughness. There is never any doubt about that. 

It is debatable if Thompson can continue to produce at this level, or one that is comparable. Or perhaps it’s merely a section of calm air amid a tumultuous journey. Though he has always been a bit of a streaker, he was a major player last season, leading the league with 301 3-pointers made at a 41% shooting percentage. 

He had some very poor performances in the playoffs, especially against the Lakers, when he basically put the Warriors out of the series. After that, he abruptly went off. We began writing a eulogy for the old Thompson when the season went on and the shooters kept missing shots with no thought process. 

That guy was dying. He flew with Stephen Curry as a true wingman. This new guy is likely to be inconsistent because, barring those rare occasions when time travels backwards, he’s been confined to a support role for Curry. 

More evidence, in fact, suggests that Thompson’s shooting is an anomaly rather than the new, more stable rule, at least for the time being. However, it doesn’t take much to raise your expectations. Not too long ago was the last season. 

The Warriors are counting on that. Thompson won’t be traded by them. They can only squint to envision themselves as a contender if Thompson continues to perform as he has for the past four games. 

Though many did at the beginning of the season, it is tough to view Golden State as an honest contender, even with its pedigree, because of the Thompson they had to sit. We’ll have to keep an eye on this, but for the time being, Thompson has turned up the heat on himself. 

And he deserves a great deal of credit for that, whether or not he can carry on. It’s difficult to absorb a beating and then come out swinging, as if mentally unaffected. 

Considering Thompson’s near-unbreakable past—this is a player who, in all honesty, was going to attempt to continue playing in a Finals game despite having a torn ACL, the hero who saved the Warriors in Game 6 against OKC in 2016, the gunslinger who has never once back down from a challenge—I guess we shouldn’t be shocked. This guy plays video games. It has always been. There will always be