Being born with a special talent has its advantages and disadvantages.

After taking down a bunch of unremarkable villains in “Taken,” Liam Neeson was frequently cast as an action star for the following ten or more years. All we wanted to hear from Frank Caliendo was his amazing impression of John Madden, bestowed upon us by the football gods. It’s comparable to the time Bart Simpson was reduced to a corny catchphrase when he had so much more to offer the world, becoming the “I Didn’t Do It” boy.

It’s simple to categorize Klay Thompson as just a shooter. He’s among the greatest to have ever done it, after all. He made 301 3-pointers last season at a 41% clip, leading the NBA in a season of comeback after missing two and a half seasons owing to ACL and Achilles tears. It was his highest percentage since 2017–18. Given that he might have lost some defensive ground recently, many would consider Thompson to be a one-trick pony, even if it is an aesthetically stunning trick.

However, Thompson must be much more than just a shooter if the Golden State Warriors are to win this season.

When Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke with his longtime shooting guard during the May playoffs, they started a conversation about how NBA players can age gracefully. At thirty-three, Thompson listened as Kerr described how he could influence the game in ways other than just his flawless jump shot. Rebounding was the key solution at the time, and Kerr has been preaching about it ever since the 2023–24 training camp.

“With Klay, we’re really hammering home the rebounding,” Kerr remarked prior to the team’s 125-108 preseason victory over the Lakers. “It’s not necessary for him to demonstrate increased engagement on the glass in the form of rebounding totals. It’s more about joining the fight, boxing, and striking opponents. We understand as a team that we must improve in the margins this year.”

From 2.4 rebounds per game as a rookie to a career-high 4.1 last season, Thompson’s rebounding average has risen steadily. In the preseason victory, he grabbed four rebounds in 12 minutes, but as Kerr pointed out, it’s not about the stats. It’s about stepping in, initiating action, and communicating that he is not allergic to the paint.

See Thompson battle for a pair of rebounds, winning a fingertip on each. He can be seen running in to tip the ball out of bounds in the second one from his spot-up position in the corner.

Even though it might not seem like much, this ongoing effort will at the absolute least aid in preventing opponents’ transition baskets. Last season, Golden State’s fast break point total ranked 18th in the NBA. The worst that can happen is that the Warriors, with Steph Curry waiting at the 3-point line for a kickout, will force offensive rebounds. Finishing plays with a rebound will reduce second-chance points, which is important for the Warriors since they will frequently be small in stature.

Thompson appears to have taken his glass-crushing seriously thus far. It helps that he’s in fantastic shape following an Achilles tendon tear that prevented him from playing in pick-up games during the previous offseason. Thompson is a historically exceptional shooter, so it makes sense that he finds it challenging to focus on other areas of the game.

Thompson declared, “I’m so in love with shooting and scoring the ball.” “Sometimes it’s equally as fun getting a stop, getting a good rebound, making an assist — the simple plays.”

Thompson’s famous competitiveness is one thing that will ease the burden of completing those small tasks. The man’s goal is to win basketball games, and he will do whatever it takes to achieve that, whether it’s grabbing rebounds, diving to the floor, or guarding centers.

“Just his self-assurance, dude. Darvin Ham, who game-planned against Thompson as an assistant throughout his career before taking the helm as Lakers head coach, stated, “I think it’s infectious.” “There’s something about him that makes you feel confident in his ability to complete tasks, even in the face of difficulty. Man, he’s just a killer.”

To see that Thompson is definitely not afraid of anyone, all you have to do is watch him assess Anthony Davis, who is regarded as the NBA’s best defender.