Klay Thompson, a guard for the Warriors, hasn’t returned to an NBA court since he walked off with an ACL tear during Game 6 of the 2019 Finals.
The enjoyable and glamorous lifestyle was entertaining and thrilling while it lasted, wasn’t it? It managed to lift the basketball gloom that had enveloped the Bay Area for about 20 years. It not only elevated the entertainment level but also turned the NBA into an irresistible moneymaker that rightfully commanded a slot in prime time for several years.
Truthfully, we all had a blast, including the Warriors.
But apparently their time as a championship contender has come to a painful end with the latest grim news about Klay Thompson and yet another body part that failed him and his team.
The truth is painful, unpleasant, and downright stinks. Feel free to append any other furious descriptor that crosses your mind about this swift turn of luck. It seems to be penalizing the Warriors for reasons that are bewildering. Is their crime simply making basketball fun?
They are culpable… and is that considered a sin?
Ever since securing their third championship in four years in 2018, a time when the world and the Larry O’Brien trophy were in different circumstances, the Warriors have been plagued with serious injuries. Their top three stars, all potential Hall of Famers, have endured two torn Achilles tendons, an ACL tear, and a broken hand. Recovery from such severe injuries is not a swift process. It’s an even harder pill to swallow than losing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
What’s particularly harsh is the way Thompson was blindsided just as he was poised to make a comeback. After more than a year of recovery from a knee surgery, a process somewhat eased by an NBA season disrupted by a virus, Thompson was fit, eager, and primed to rejoin the team and aid the Warriors in reclaiming their glory.
Hours before the NBA Draft, with the Warriors in possession of the No. 2 overall pick and ready to strengthen their team, Thompson suffered a right Achilles tear during a workout with other NBA players. This injury is set to require another season-long rehabilitation, potentially jeopardizing his standing among the NBA’s top players. By the time the 2021-22 season begins, he will be 31, recovering from rustiness and two surgical procedures.
By that time, the Warriors could potentially be just an average team, likely to exit the playoffs by the second round, clinging to Steph Curry’s prime years in vain. And that’s assuming they are fortunate enough to dodge further issues.
In this league, time is relentless; it doesn’t pause for anyone or hold spots for those no longer present. The Warriors, in the absence of Klay, are set to learn this firsthand. Nearly six teams from the West are capitalizing on the Warriors’ downfall while swiftly moving forward. The Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers, Jazz, and possibly the Mavericks are all equipped to exploit the decline of the former powerhouse that’s now on the brink of a harsh end.
Perhaps what is truly impressive is how the Warriors managed to sustain their momentum. Their success story started with Curry’s draft, which picked up pace with Thompson’s arrival and the formation of the Splash Brothers. The whirlwind really took off with the addition of Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and ultimately Kevin Durant, turning the Warriors into a cultural sensation. They dominated other teams, set a record of 73 wins in a season, made five Finals appearances, triumphed in three, excelled in both fast break and half-court plays, and were certainly worth the price of the ticket or the TV and streaming subscriptions.
A franchise seldom makes a series of accurate decisions in the draft, free agency, and trades within a short time span. Although the Warriors enjoyed some luck, they primarily created their own success and dominated the NBA over the past ten years. Considering factors like the salary cap, luxury tax, free agency, and self-interested superstars, building a championship team is challenging, and maintaining one is even more difficult.
Coach Steve Kerr often reiterated that the Warriors didn’t exist in the real world, somehow managing to avoid the hardships experienced by most teams in the league. However, it appears as though their time has come to pay the price, even if it seems unjust.
The Warriors had led a charmed existence since 2015, which continued until Durant’s lower leg injury during the 2019 playoffs. Their luck held up until he injured it again in Game 5 of the 2019 Finals when they were on the brink of their fourth championship in five years. Hypothetically, if the moment just before Durant’s injury could be frozen and he remained fit for the championship series against the Raptors, it’s possible that Golden State could have added another trophy. In this scenario, Durant might have re-signed with the team and the Finals game that Thompson injured his knee in may not have been necessary.
However, sports don’t operate in that manner. They can be harsh, merciless, and poised to doom a successful team in favor of giving another team an opportunity.
Last season, with Thompson sidelined, Curry soon followed with a broken hand, and the Warriors were thrust into a disappointing season that saw them finish at the bottom of the league standings. It is possible that their intense and extended playoff runs in previous years may have taken a toll on their bodies, although LeBron James appears immune to such effects. There was a silver lining to their last-place finish, however, as it allowed them to secure the No. 2 draft pick. They used this to recruit James Wiseman, a seven-footer who, despite only playing a few college games, made a significant impression.
The addition of Wiseman was intended to provide the Warriors with a new element they lacked in their dynasty era — a reliable big man who could be the focus of a few plays. His presence would offer some equilibrium and prevent defenses from selectively targeting Curry and Thompson on the perimeter.
Do you believe the Warriors are not done yet? This demands a certain viewpoint. Without Klay, yearly appearances in the Finals seem inconceivable. The same applies when it comes to intimidating LeBron and Anthony Davis. Curry is capable enough to lead a team to average conference standings, and playoff possibilities are definitely not off the table. However, anything more than that? Let’s face reality.
Steph and Draymond will be present, and there’s potential for Andrew Wiggins to come alive. Wiseman may develop faster than anticipated. Kelly Oubre, a capable swingman who can contribute to the scores, is also joining them. However, the rest of the league no longer trembles at the sight of the Warriors, at least not the Warriors we’ve come to recognize.
Klay Thompson will be absent once again, and though there’s widespread sympathy for him within and beyond the NBA, everyone will eventually move forward once the 2020-21 season begins.
The Warriors will also proceed, albeit not on the familiar path they’re used to, and certainly not at a pace that could distance them from their unfortunate luck.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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