The infamous Golden State Warriors’ “Splash Bros” duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are known for their unparalleled shooting mastery that changed the way basketball is played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Each year, the top eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences, based on 82-game records, compete in the NBA playoffs, a knockout tournament of best-of-seven series. The conference winners face off in the NBA Finals to win the NBA championship.
Together, Curry and Thompson led the Warriors to three NBA championships in five years, one in 2015, 2017 and 2018. They formulated what people believed to be the most dominant NBA team of the 2010s, and arguably of all time.
Stephen Curry, two-time recipient of the Most Valuable Player award and the current record-holder of the most three-point shots made in a career, has managed to demonstrate remarkable longevity in overcoming age repercussions. Curry’s transcendent skills redefined the point guard position, blending sharpshooting with ball-handling wizardry. He continues to be a powerful offensive player for the Warriors, leading the team in scoring and playmaking while maintaining an efficient shooting percentage.
Despite dealing with injuries in recent years, the most prevalent being bilateral knee patellofemoral pain, Curry has remained remarkably consistent. Even without the same level of quickness and endurance he displayed earlier in his career, Curry’s floor awareness, enhanced strength and crafty playmaking has allowed him to remain among the league’s elite.
While Curry has been able to evolve and adapt, Klay Thompson has faced a more difficult path. The five-time All-Star has been plagued by two catastrophic injuries, an ACL tear in 2019 and Achilles injury shortly after. While Thompson is often described as a catch-and-shoot specialist, his game has always been more dynamic. His athleticism, especially his lateral quickness and ability to move without the ball, were key to his success. Klay’s speed allowed him to navigate screens, make quick cuts and get open for his signature catch-and-shoot opportunities. However, in recent years, his performance has slowed down, affecting the dynamic impact he once had on both ends of the court.
On offense, he is currently averaging 13 ppg, shooting a career-low 36.6 percent from three and 43 per cent 2-point efficiency, and has consequently been restricted to the lowest usage of his career at 20.6 points 27.6 minutes per game.
On defense, Klay Thompson has struggled to maintain the elite form he was once known for, recording a defensive rating of 116.4 over his last three seasons. This number has declined drastically which has raised concerns about his ability to guard high-caliber offensive players, particularly on the perimeter where he once excelled. This marks a sharp decline from his pre-2019 ACL injury days when he consistently delivered all-defensive caliber performances, averaging a stellar defensive rating of 107.8 over seven seasons.
There are numerous reasons for Thompson’s regression. His prolonged absence from competitive play, for example, has undoubtedly affected his conditioning and speed. Coming off two major injuries at 34, has created an uphill battle for Thompson in terms of recovery and rediscovering his prime rhythm. Despite being a catch-and-shoot player, Klay’s overall game relied on a combination of movement, speed and explosiveness. His ability to sprint to the right spots, contain his man on the perimeter, make cuts and quickly release his shot were essential elements of his success. Post-injury, his movement has slowed, and as a result, his efficiency has dipped. Unlike Curry, who has adapted his game over time, Klay failed to make those same adjustments.
However, the biggest challenge for Klay Thompson, returning from his two-year injury, has been the mental toll it has taken on him. The pressure to revive the “Splash Bros” legacy and meet sky-high expectations has visibly impacted his play, leading to moments of hesitation, uncharacteristic shot selection, and inconsistency. Constant comparisons to his pre-injury self and the scrutiny he faces have only added to this burden, making his fight to regain form as much mental as it is physical.
The “Splash Bros” were once the face of Golden State’s dominance, however as the saying goes, Father
Time waits for no one. Curry’s dominance continues as he leads a retooled Warriors group in securing a playoff spot, while Klay attempts to find his own on the 2024 Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, playing alongside 2016 NBA champion Kyrie Irving and 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic, looking to contribute to a team with championship aspirations. The duo that once ruled the NBA now finds themselves on diverging paths, with one superstar continuing to climb and the other fighting against the passage of time.
Contributed Photo/NBA on YouTube. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in an interview with NBA in 2013.
