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Indomitable Klay Thompson moment shows why the Mavericks were always meant to be his team

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3 hours ago

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Indomitable Klay Thompson moment shows why the Mavericks were always meant to be his team

After a tough fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks need to keep their heads up as they head into the next few games.

With Kyrie Irving nearing a return from his back injury, the team’s offense should start clicking more once he’s back on the court. The Mavs have been doing their best in his absence, but the excitement among fans is growing with Irving’s return on the horizon.

This challenging stretch for the Mavs, having one of the worst records in the Western Conference over their last 10 games (3-7), has brought out a more mature side of Klay Thompson as he faces the challenge of playing without Luka Dončić and Irving.

Klay Thompson knows championships aren’t won overnight

Following the loss to Denver, Thompson emphasized the significance of playing solid basketball without Irving and Doncic. He highlighted that navigating through these challenges is crucial, noting that winning championships is never an easy feat.

“Not looking ahead and realizing championships aren’t won just because of a great run in the playoffs, but you have to build great chemistry before that,” Thompson said.

Thompson also pointed out that overcoming adversity is essential for any team aiming to win a championship.

As a four-time champion, Thompson knows this better than anyone. He’s absolutely right. Even though he won a title in just his fourth season with Golden State, the Warriors underwent significant changes, including bringing in Steve Kerr, altering their starting lineup, and adding Andre Iguodala. These adjustments didn’t happen overnight.

Similarly, the Mavs’ move to bring in Quentin Grimes, who has been dubbed the “steal of the offseason,” is proving to be a smart decision as it continues to pay off.

Naji Marshall has also been a standout success this season, quickly becoming a fan favorite thanks to his tenacity and the energy he brings every game.

The pairing of Doncic with Irving was a carefully planned project, and it was Nico Harrison who identified the perfect opportunity to bring the superstar to Dallas.

Their performance last year exceeded expectations, even reaching the NBA Finals. Now, Thompson is seamlessly fitting into the team’s structure.

It takes much more than just overcoming injuries—it requires mental toughness, conditioning, hustle, and even a bit of luck.

The grind of an 82-game season, followed by the playoffs, can wear on any NBA player, and fans should always remember just how difficult it is to win a championship in any professional sport.

Thompson has fully embraced the challenge of playing without Doncic and Irving, staying calm and understanding that this is part of the journey.

His leadership, both on and off the court, is a perfect fit for Dallas. The Mavericks valued Thompson’s leadership when they brought him on, and he continues to demonstrate it every night. With his championship mindset, Thompson is a valuable asset that money can’t buy.

Ethan Blake

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Basketball

Boston Celtics Get Good News Before Intense Holiday Schedule – report

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1 month ago

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December 14, 2024

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Boston Celtics Get Good News Before Intense Holiday Schedule - report

Thanks to the ongoing Emirates NBA Cup, which will feature both semifinal games this weekend and culminate with the Cup Final on Tuesday, the Boston Celtics have had ample time to rest and recover. The defending NBA champions certainly needed it. From November 29 to December 7, the Celtics played six games in just nine days, including two back-to-back sets.

During this intense stretch, the Celtics finished with a 4-2 record, improving their overall record to 19-5, which ranks second-best in the NBA. After their blowout win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, they now stand at 20-5.

However, by the time they wrapped up this stretch against the Memphis Grizzlies, the effects of fatigue were evident. The Celtics lost 127-121 at home, missing nine free throws and an astonishing 42 three-point attempts.

This number of missed three-pointers is particularly remarkable given that the average NBA team attempts only 35.1 three-pointers per game, making 12.8 of them.

Celtics Hobbled After 9 Day, Six Game Stretch

The demanding schedule seems to have taken a physical toll on the Celtics. Superstar MVP candidate Jayson Tatum had to miss Thursday’s game against Detroit due to soreness in his right knee, marking just the second time in 25 games this season that he’s been sidelined.

Bench three-point specialist Sam Hauser was also unavailable for Thursday’s matchup due to an adductor injury, previously referred to as a “pulled groin.” Meanwhile, Team USA Olympian Derrick White has been dealing with a foot injury, which kept him out of a key game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 1, the team with the NBA’s best record.

While the Celtics have looked nearly unbeatable this season, their health remains a significant concern. With another busy stretch of games approaching during the holiday weeks, it seemed the Boston powerhouse might be facing some setbacks.

However, on Friday, the team received the positive news about its injured players that it had been hoping for.

Tatum, Hauser Injuries ‘Definitely Progressing’: Mazzula

During Friday’s team practice, Celtics beat reporter and Locked on Celtics podcast host John Karalis reported that both Tatum and Hauser participated fully in the walkthrough and will travel to Washington, with the potential to play on Sunday.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that both players are “definitely progressing,” as quoted by Karalis.

The Celtics’ next game is Sunday against the Washington Wizards, who currently hold the NBA’s worst record at 3-19. Mazzulla may still opt for caution and keep both players on the bench for that matchup. However, looking ahead, the Celtics will enjoy three days off before facing a busy holiday schedule.

Celtics Regaining Health for NBA Holiday Madness

This holiday season will be far from a break for the Celtics, with a grueling three-week stretch of games from December 19 to January 7, playing every other day. The only exception is back-to-back games on January 2 and 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, both on the road.

In total, they will play 11 games in 20 days, six of which are away games. Highlights include a Christmas Day matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, a New Year’s Eve game against the Toronto Raptors, and two games against the Indiana Pacers, who handed the Celtics their first loss of the season on October 30.

Given the demanding schedule, the positive updates on Tatum and Hauser are crucial. Additionally, White provided encouraging news, reporting that his foot is “feeling a lot better,” thanks to the Celtics’ extended off-days during the NBA Cup.

Ethan Blake

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