Will Klay Thompson make the Mavericks the BEST in the West? | NBA Today

[@michaelkeating3651]

Klay was very efficient last season on catch and shoot 3`s, above 40%. The Mavericks create more open 3`s for their teammates than any other team in the league.

[@youngju8494]

Thank you

[@I.am_Groot]

Unless its Kyrie in a Finals game but yes Klay will get plenty of looks and should have space to get buckets. His defense isn't what it once was so to me Dallas got better but not enough to get back to the Finals

[@AR-rn8ok]

Until he went 0-11 in the play in. Gave Steph zero help.

[@ericpangdozq510]

Season is overrated, its abt playoffs and klay is a washed nervous playoffs player

[@boundlesshumanity1901]

That was so rough lol ​@@AR-rn8ok

[@brandonsanders2767]

that offensive juggernaut offense

[@JohnSkyrim2]

Mavs got a lot better. Thompson, Grimes, Marshall, Dinwiddie. They got better in every way.

[@FunkDeTejas]

Why do they always question Luka like he dont dominate every szn

[@DavidGravesExists]

They do the same to Jokic. It's because those boys enjoy their off-season for a few weeks. Lose a little muscle mass. Put on a little fat. And they both seem (compared to some of the American players) to be nonchalant about playing basketball. But Luka's still getting better. They don't ever seem to mention that. I expect him to have a 50/40/80 next season, averaging nearly a triple double again. And don't forget- the kid is only 25.

[@MangoTroubles-007]

He choked in the Finals and screamed at teammates

[@elijahnaborne912]

Always falls short

[@ricomark70]

​@@MangoTroubles-007Luka averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 5 games in the NBA Finals in his career. How could you say he choked when he's the only one producing on that team? they arent even favorites to come out of the west that time. Luka and Dallas as a whole exceeded expectations thats the reality.

[@alvaroherrera3842]

I Lost like ten points of IQ just hearing the dark Shrek bs

[@iaskquestions]

Festus should be on countdown this upcoming season. he brings life, knowledge and great breakdown.. with respect sit one of the other guys in another panel. they need a former player/coach to talk real basketball...

[@shaalexis4221]

Agreed

[@liquify1854]

The slander on Dallas , they were just in the finals…. Watch for them again 🎉

[@ZooterMagruder]

And? That guarantees them to be contenders?

[@liquify1854]

@@ZooterMagruder they were in it last and year and just got better in the offseason , here goes the dummies trying to comment on my post 😂

[@liquify1854]

@@ZooterMagruder hold this comment all year buddy till the end you don’t want to look stupid

[@Mr.Thomas_Anderson]

@@liquify1854they didn’t get better, OKC got better. Mavs didn’t get worse but their moves don’t help them beat Boston

[@liquify1854]

@@Mr.Thomas_Anderson okc could have gotten better but haven’t proved anything , the Mavs were apparently the lesser of the two and went to the finals

[@dale444ify]

Nuggets are a 6th seed this year

[@R3Y1023]

Yeah anyone that has them as a high seed need to wake up they have no depth they keep losing players

[@tjones8778]

Yep they lost a lot

[@pleasedonttemptme5963]

If they are 6th seed, it will be shocking. They will not win the West of course though, Westbrick is there .. 😂

[@pleasedonttemptme5963]

@@R3Y1023 Exactly

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

Bumggets are trash

[@bo0gi3]

Mavs picked up Klay AND Naji Marshall, he’s a more than adequate defender and a better shooter than DJJ. Mavs will be a top 3 team in the West

[@Ericrawnsley]

Klay is a bench player at this point in his career.....

[@bo0gi3]

@@Ericrawnsley no he isn’t stop trolling

[@I.am_Groot]

Seems they were already at that level. They traded some defense for a veteran scorer. Not a big come up

[@tjones8778]

@@bo0gi3dude he is😂😂😂

[@Jblanco20S]

Klay couldn’t even score for the Warriors in a elimination game 😂 but yall out here yapping this nonsense

[@Lilcnile]

Thank you! I been telling my people that Klay is not gonna have as big an impact as people think. And I loved Klay

[@samuelthe13]

​@@Lilcnile We'll see

[@darichgaming]

1 game has your mind lost already 😂

[@NelMer21]

@@Lilcnilemavs only need him to be better than THJ which he will be

[@SpeedyLex21]

Everyone will gladly remember one bad event in someone’s life’s and completely forget their previous Achievements Sad world we live in 🫡

[@nickprather1404]

Didn’t the Mavs beat the thunder last year? 🤔🤔. Hartenstein and Caruso not slowing Luka or kyrie down.

[@LogicaL313]

Casual

[@nickprather1404]

@@LogicaL313 😂😂😂. Good sports take.

[@Lilcnile]

or PJ Washington 😅

[@NelMer21]

Caruso too small for Luka. Maybe he'll bother Kyrie a little. Hatdenstein is BBQ chicken for both Luka and Kyrie and I'm not convinced he's that much betttr than Gafford

[@ItzzShazey]

@@NelMer21 you have all these takes in one statement but they literally couldnt do anything against the celtics

[@DominionAnako-bb7ry]

Klay Thompson will make Mavericks like his did in the Golden State Warriors

[@Love.hammer999]

Said no one ever 🤣

[@Jdcjr1991]

@@Love.hammer999he’s gonna be the 3rd option he’s gonna be good for the Mavs don’t be dumb

[@Love.hammer999]

@@Jdcjr1991 saying that klay is gonna be a 3rd option like it’s a good thing lmfao

[@Jdcjr1991]

@@Love.hammer999 you must be young and don’t understand basketball. Do your homework

[@Love.hammer999]

@@Jdcjr1991 2011 mavs were fun to watch, im guessing you remember how long that took 😁

[@Rickkysimo]

Last year these idiots were saying Mavs wasn't gonna make the play in 😂

[@I.am_Groot]

Last year Dallas was a struggle until 2/3 through the season. Nobody had them going anywhere

[@nicoaldaco5351]

Love to see festus on the show! He did a great job for dubs pre/post game. Great dude great insight

[@CoachRJ334]

The answer is No .....Mavs defense will miss Derrick Jones Jr ... Klay has been laying eggs ....

[@bigsamkay]

Naji marshall

[@johncrowder5505]

Laying eggs…

[@jacknapier2852]

Agree!

[@MDB465]

Derrick jones didn’t become a starter until near the end of the season and even then he only averaged about 20-24 mins a game. Naji Marshall will fill in perfectly, Mavs will dominate again this season.

[@youngju8494]

Klay is arguably the 2nd best shooter all time. You think he forgot how to shoot? Lol

[@verbone]

Hurts my heart to see Klay in Dallas, but hope he bounces back and has a great season.

[@DerekLaugann]

The player that just had ZERO POINTS IN A PLAYOFF GAME???

[@jacknapier2852]

@@DerekLaugann exactly!

[@tjones8778]

Thank you when he was with us everyone said he was done now he’s a star like what😂😂😂

[@terelltorrance]

Klay a better fit in Denver

[@MoneyMadeKade]

Jamal, Klay, MPJ, AG, and Jokic would be the 1 seed

[@kealii_fitness6435]

Thunder are not clearly the favorites. Dude is clueless. They are a good team but cmon

[@tylermatthew3051]

the switch up is crazy. keep that same energy from last year

[@tjones8778]

It’s because he’s not on the Warriors but if he was they would be clowning klay

[@Cadillac89]

Its nice to see everyone still underestimating PHX

[@Royale0055]

They'll be struggling with the play-in

[@hamnocheesee5398]

It would be enough defense if people stopped letting Luka slide without playing on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t wanna hear he has so much to do on offense. He wouldn’t have to do so much if he got off the ball for once.

[@Mrjvc163]

These guys are talking about defense but Mavs actually did good defensively against the Celtics. They lost because they couldn’t punish those open looks and Celtics closed out the paint because they sagged off their sorry 3 pt shooters. Defense isn’t as important as it was back in the 2000s whether you like it or not.

[@Jay12Dizzle]

Did he make the warriors the best team last year???😂

[@amarachidesi]

Watch out for the Warriors

[@tjones8778]

Nah let them sleep on us

[@isaazsmitty234]

Klay had it made in GS, his prime is over and will never come back , he was respected and was a king in GS, why not finish your career there and retire a OG, Now he’s going to a team that is more 1 on 1 basketball rather than running screens for shooters , I believe when Kerr benched him last season that was his pushing point .

I think ESPN is trying to influence betting in regards to Dallas. I’m pretty sure that after the Mavericks mid season trade they became the #1 defensive team in the NBA and that lasted through the playoffs. I didn’t hear any mention of that, I wonder why? If anyone wants to bring up DJJ signing with the Clippers, the Mavs signed Naji Marshall who is not only just as good of a defender as DJJ but is a better more fluid basketball player all around. Anyone who thinks Klay Thompson isn’t an upgrade over Tim Hardaway Jr. isn’t worth debating, don’t even waste your time because it’s completely senseless. Also anyone who uses the logic of Klay going 0-10 in his last game with GS to surmise that that particular bad shooting outing reflects his overall ability to still knock down open shots has the mind of a 9 year old so don’t waste your time and energy with that slow brainer. The Dallas Mavericks just might have a bench that could make Toronto a 4/5 seed in the eastern conference. Dallas is better than OKC in almost every aspect and Dallas not only beat a healthy OKC in OKC by 47pts last season, they also beat OKC in the playoffs when it mattered most and Dallas went on to win the western conference. I think this panel knows what I’m saying here but aren’t paid to give honest opinions and perspectives because false narratives fuel sports. I remember some of these same people praising Kyrie’s defense in the playoffs and the Mavs defense all around but all of a sudden Dallas adds better pieces their a team lacking defense? I have the Mavs winning 60+ games.

[@pleasedonttemptme5963]

I love Klay Thompson, & I hate the Warriors. So glad this man gets to play on another team, been waiting forever

[@tyreepowell8367]

Klay Thompson Is The Perfect Fit For The Mavericks And I Hope He Wins Another Championship 🏆 In Dallas

[@JAM915JAM]

Klay didn’t do it last year with Steph why would his team be any better with players not close to being as good as Steph. Get out of here!!!

[@jacknapier2852]

@@JAM915JAM thank you!

[@lt2003]

I love Klay, he's definitely a legend and deserves his flowers but imo they got worse with Klay. He's on a very steep decline and I don't see him improving much or if any this year. Older players usually don't get better, younger players do. Klay was only scoring 9 points more than Derrick Jones Jr but taking 8 shots more. I'm pretty sure if DJJ took 8 more shots he'd average around 13-14 points per game compared to Klays 18. Not much difference. They got a bit better on offense with a bit more spacing but, a lot worse on defense. I doubt Klay will get 15 shots per game on the Mavs so he might only average like 12-14 points a game. I do think they Mavs will do better this season but, that's only due to because of the late additions to the team from last year. I really do hope Klay proves me wrong but, deep down I just feel like he's fools gold at this point of his career.

[@AR-rn8ok]

How cool to see a warriors vs Dallas conference finals….

[@ryanhashimoto9189]

😆 that headline for this episode

[@chrischan6211]

The open shots Derrick Jones Jr. was getting from Luka, that's Klay Thompson now. I know he went on a slump last year but he literally only needs to wait in the corner now then catch and shoot. That's his thing.

[@chrischan6211]

Here we go again with the defense slander. The Mavs, with Luka and Kyrie in the starting lineup, were the second best defensive team in the league after trading for Gafford. DJJ wasn't all about individual defense as well. They turned into an elite defensive team because of how they rotated on the court.

[@Clutchcmac19]

They don’t understand what Mavs need after they lost in the finals 1: defense isn’t the issue, offense is the issue cause of lack of shooting 2: they don’t understand that Mavs is improving their roster

[@jason10184]

Jason Kid is going to play with the lineup and have Klay come off the bench for some games . Im tired of these idiots questioning Lukas' fitness , it's ridiculous . Where is that same energy to Ant man when he gassed out guarding Kyrie ?

[@ashamsthomas2490]

Cant man is being overrated like crazy.. especially by dumb Perk

[@youngju8494]

They set higher standards for Ant man like he's suppose to be invincible. So that when Ant man loses they can say he under achieved.

[@ashamsthomas2490]

@@youngju8494 lol..what bs..he had stinkers in the playoffs against Denver n Dallas..but all they talk about is the good moments he had

[@leephillipdaniel]

Festus is moving up!!!

[@donkingoftheworld8955]

Kendrick Perkins says the thunder will be number one in the west he must have faith in big man Chet Holmgren to make that prediction that's respect

[@itzhakira5022]

Dallas is being severely slept on. They had the best offseason to me.

[@sharaymecrumble2235]

Randle does not have to go to the 5

[@dorionkeeno9367]

Fired Malika please !

[@andylarkin5779]

It's almost as if nobody has seen him play these last 2 years🤣

[@chrisstfort7]

Julius will play the 5 only on offense. On defense OG has success guarding bigs like Embiid, Giannis, Kat, etc. When the Knicks played Minnesota he not only locked up Ant but he locked up Kat as well, they both shot well below their averages while guarded by Anunoby. In Game 4 after Hartenstein picked up his 5th foul OG guarded Embiid in the 4th quarter and held him to 0-5 FG and Knicks went up 3-1 in the series.

[@leomonks7557]

Nobody is talking about the quinten grimes pickup he was a really solid player in New York and I think Dallas will use him well. Certainly better than Josh green

[@giffondhall9214]

ESpn always hating on the cowboys

[@popunkid]

I think Festus is doing great. I also can't believe he only played in the NBA for 3 years.

[@Tim_Dunkin]

Not if that defense doesn't improve. If your 3 best starters have trouble keeping a person in front of them, that isnt a good 5hing (1 of them sometimes doesn't even try 😆) And who's going to tell Luka to stop letting things he can't control completely take his mind out of the game?

[@SpecOpsCM]

OKC will always be underrated because people are just haters.

[@Dirtybillz031]

NYK vs DAL 2025 Nba finals

[@ItzzShazey]

delusional knicks fan 😂😂

[@MoneyMadeKade]

Yall gotta make the ECF first

[@nate-pq2lm]

There aint no gap between okc and anyone if you think they top of west then were a joke now

[@SpecOpsCM]

A complete roster with a bonafide all star MVP talent. No, you’re the joke.

[@marquesmurray]

Klay isnt as bad on defense as they say. Warriors were small at center and no defense on the back line. And draymond was on BS

[@youngju8494]

Klay and Kyrie both are good defenders.

[@fabianfrey7649]

Bontempts always hypes up OKC. But what is the most important in this nba? To have good wings with size. OKC has none.

[@Itscomic0114]

The warriors will be better this year. Klays shot selection cost them 10-15 games last year, but hoopers won’t understand.

[@mblidg]

I haven’t heard anyone speak about the fit between Hartenstein and Chet. The Mavs already showed in the conference final that a double big line up won’t match up well with them. Who is going to increase the offense for OKC now that Giddey is gone? Caruso isn’t a big scoring first guy. Shai will need more than 30 every night that’s a lot of pressure. If Luka is injured for 5-6 games in the regular season the Mavs can still win those games. OKC without Shai is not winning those games. OKC is close but still a piece or two short.

[@HoopsAficionado]

Tim Bontemps is a delusional takesmith. He really thinks there's a bigger gap between OKC and Dallas / Minnesota than the Celtics and Knicks / Philly / Bucks etc. Insane since the Mavs beat the Thunder and retain better secondary shot creation (Kyrie > J Dub).

[@derekbrown3447]

Plus the Thunder lost their point guard. SGA is in the pg spot but it was Giddey that led team in assists. SGA isn't the playmaker they think he is and they now have to replace 8 assists per game somehow. Playmaking isn't something you can just train to develop, you either have or you don't. We'll see if SGA and JDub have it.

[@HoopsAficionado]

@@derekbrown3447 They lost the assists with Giddey but he was a non-shooter who couldn't be played big minutes in the play-offs. Fixing the rebounding with Hartenstein and shooting with Caruso were good moves. Both very good defenders too.

[@derekbrown3447]

@@HoopsAficionado I agree but someone has to set up their offense and SGA, as good as he is, has been more of an iso pg than a passing pg

[@jaykelly7617]

How RJ take another day off when he just got back lol

[@Lonwolf.]

I used to be a Warriors fan. I’m a Cavs fan now. 😂 I can’t rock with the Warriors after how they did Klay I mean that’s dirty bro. They could’ve paid Klay and got Draymond Green up out of there. They dropped the ball you supposed to keep the splash brothers together and build around them with the system. They already have on offense. The Warriors basically told Steph Curry to go F his self, he’ll never win another ring again not with just Draymond.

[@mr_sanders2u735]

He's cooked. He shot 0-10 in his last game

[@Kero8333]

@@mr_sanders2u735 Steph scored 3 in one game in the Olympics for a game dose that take away from his other great games? That’s ONE GAME doesn’t define him as a player it’s one game with other factors at play that won’t be there this year.

[@mr_sanders2u735]

@@Kero8333 How did the rest of the Olympics go for Steph? Klay was horrible all season

[@Kero8333]

@@mr_sanders2u735 it wasn’t horrible all season (some not great but not a total wash if a year. He had the 4th most 3s in the league, lead the league in ft% wasn’t his normal standard but not a horrible season there are ALOT of players in the league that would love to end with his stat line) and the rest of the Olympics was my point. You wouldn’t throw out all the good he’s done because of a bad game or even a few. There were def some outside stuff going on that will be gone this year. Plus he’s not expected to be a 1st or 2nd option will take some pressure off and he can just play. A joyful Klay going out playing with just the joy of the game without as much on his shoulders that’s a force. I think he has a great year. We will see though as they gel/adjust and then catch rhythm as a team.

[@AR-rn8ok]

Yes warriors did Klay so dirty. They paid him his max available to sit and rehab for almost three years and not play a single game. Then last season they offered him more money per year than any other team in the nba offered him, so that he could retire with Steph on the warriors. Klay paid them back by rejecting the deal, asking for a max and then going 0 for 11 in the playoff elimination game. Klay is now a villain. Dallas should make a black jersey.

[@fabianfrey7649]

Keep on sleeping on the mavs. same old, same old narrative about Luka. They went to the finals, Luka won the WCF mvp. Next time they win the title, there will still be people complaining. Prejudice will never be eradicated.

[@KrispyChicken7]

Hot take: Nuggs gonna be 4th or 5th seed. OKC, Mavs, Wolves all got better and Nuggs got worst.

[@DevonteGreen-f9z]

Klay is gonna be the maverick I want to see play the game of basketball 💙🤍💙🤍

[@AR-rn8ok]

Go watch his last elimination game.

[@LysergiCoyotl]

Will *aging defensive liability with a minus +/-* make the Mavericks the BEST in the West!?

[@kachidubemokeke5590]

Gap between okc and the rest of the west is bigger than Celtics and the rest of the east ? These people are actually paid to make statements like this😂😂

[@TINYHUNTER114TH]

It went from Detroit shock to Tulsa shock then from there Dallas wings was made... When will WNBA Kome Bakk to Detroit

[@Cadillac89]

nice to see everyone underestimating the suns

[@GARGAMEL95]

Why is Marshall pulling that jersey like that

[@JinRaiGaming]

as long as Klay not having those braindead game during his final year in Warrior and be at better place, i think he will be fine. Still, I'm not going to forget the 0 points game in his final game as Warriors, despite all kinds of support from comments. 0 is effing 0. He can't have any of those anymore or else, retirement is coming real fast.

[@youngju8494]

That was team malfunction. Basketball is about more than 1 player

[@JigsawBell]

Chill out. Have you seen Klay's defense last season? Or all of the bad shooting games he had?

[@t.p.8876]

Yes Klay Thompson Will !!!

[@rhyscampbell8394]

They won’t be in the top 4 but they will make the conference finals. I ain’t gonna say they’re gonna win it further then that tbh as it’s too competitive

[@MarsATX]

reason they are going back to the finals is that they made it this year without even an off season. everybody buying in and they are going to improve trade or no. klay is going to hit catch and shoot 3's end of story.

[@taetheruler]

They definitely won’t see another finals any time soon

[@blushingpictures7987]

Festus left NBC Bay area?

[@FunkDeTejas]

So they just forgot about the other additions lol

[@patrickdiew2271]

Mavs in 4

[@Raul1088]

They always underestimate mavs. Its ok, we use to it. Lets go mavs!!!

[@nothembajozi2862]

Kendrick Perkins still doesn't know how to pronounce the word "success". Was he not reading during the off season?

[@MVP-JB]

Klay Thompson sells out his splash brothers

[@AR-rn8ok]

Yes Klay a sell out.

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Dallas Mavericks 0% chance back again to FINALS 💯

[@ashamsthomas2490]

It's more likely than you having a brain

[@jacknapier2852]

@@nbapbaupdate8338 yes!!

[@princemark6507]

same Question about luka same result

[@rbermea]

I don't know. The Mavs lost in the Finals to the Celtics last season. Klay Thompson is gonna be a third wheel in Dallas just like in Golden State from 2016-2019 when Steph Curry was second fiddle and Kevin Durant was running the show. And the West is pretty much gonna be run by either Oklahoma, Denver, or Minnesota. And in the East, Boston is the odds on favorite to repeat as NBA Champs and get banner No. 19 to the rafters at the TD Garden.

[@AR-rn8ok]

Bro KD never ran that show. They won every game when KD sat and did it in a blowout. They lost almost every game when Steph sat.

[@talesofcsoplahia]

Maybe Luka needs to commit to a Lebron-level investment in a nutritionist and personal trainer. Don't understand how a guy with that much talent and basketball IQ can neglect the very thing that allows his genius to shine.

[@JamesSmith-ds9yc]

Look out for the Kings!!!

[@princethepoet2010]

I think he played a little more than 3 seasons....

[@vinzarah1522]

Keep sleeping on the mavs. They will burn 🔥 the nba this season 💪💪💪

[@OhmyZephyrus]

The Mavs bench looks better, sad they skipped past grimes and naji, dinwiddie

[@sleepeasychannel1228]

They just added another ring winner to the team. So yes clearly they are the favourites in the west and the reason being this comes after they reached the finals. Legacy it means luka is failing into that category of he needed help when it is successful. Double edged knife.

[@eastsidequel863]

Dallas Mavericks To the Finals Vs Milwaukee Bucks 🏀🏆

[@sting114]

Dallas will get eliminated in the play in game. Will not make the playoffs

[@nomoreads4777]

The Bucks aren't better than the Celtics or the Knicks.

[@youngju8494]

The Mavs were the best in the West last year. What's up with the title?

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

Same old trashy cliches ESPN narratives…literally heard this ALL before

[@-crixusdingess6562]

Yes

[@greathumbled]

Depends on everyone health

[@alvaroherrera3842]

I Lost like ten points of IQ just hearing the dark Shrek bs

[@bashymumbles]

Yes.

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

They lost their best wing defender and replaced him with washed klay 😂😂wouldn’t be surprised to see t wolves beat them this year

[@mcu2478]

Klay was trash last year for the Warriors. He came off the bench for a rookie yet he’s gonna do all this stuff in Dallas ??? I’m not buy in it.

[@jayblake5770]

warriors had gp playing the 4 last year. julius will be ite 😂

[@justinekyle28]

😂 your ant and sga will be destroyed again by luka the great sorry you'll

[@CynthiaGarcia-j2e]

Jacynthe Inlet

[@Bandittiakabanban]

This is 😂 steph kd and klay again wide open shots again lol 50 in a quarter

[@yoshikigrg8]

Julius at 5 will not work. He is not big or strong enough to go up against others true centers. He is best at playing PF.

[@ryanseco5207]

That’s what Mitchell Robinson is for

[@chrisstfort7]

Julius will be the 5 only on offense. OG will guard the big. In game 4 OG shut down Embiid as the Knicks won. OG has success guarding Giannis. He’s so versatile when the Knicks played the Timberwolves he locked down Ant and Kat, on possessions guarded by OG they shot well below their averages.

[@SSJRome]

OKC with hartenstein in the middle and Caruso on the perimeter would like a word

[@whooptywoo1399]

Lmao