Klay Thompson addresses ‘mental block’ during summer

Anthony Slater: Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up …

Anthony Slater: Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season. Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1

Source: Twitter @anthonyVslater

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
Klay Thomspon said he didn’t scrimmage much over the summer, in part because the last time he did he tore his Achilles. He knows it’s a mental hurdle he has to get over, but hasn’t yet.
Because of that, the training staff told him last week it was unlikely he’d play in Tokyo. – 6:07 AM
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson win the NBA Saturday Night 3-point contest as a team pic.twitter.com/j1UXJZtFIR – 6:07 AM

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Klay Thompson after winning the Tokyo 3-point contest with Steph Curry
“It was nice to humble Jordan Poole” pic.twitter.com/nWkxBggnrw – 5:50 AM

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season.
Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1 – 5:45 AM

Alexis Morgan @alexismorgan
After the Klay and Steph won the 3-point competition for the Saturday Night fan fest, Klay told the entire stadium in Japan that @Ronnie 2K needs to get his @NBA2K rating up 😭 – 5:22 AM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combine to win the duo 3-point contest in Tokyo. Easily beat the Jordan Poole, Moses Moody pairing. pic.twitter.com/FMjgQekqhS – 5:11 AM

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Five observations from Tokyo
-James Wiseman pops for 20 and 8
-A look at Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s debut
-Arena vibe
-Klay update
-Leftover Warriors notes
theathletic.com/3643852/2022/0… – 12:40 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Klay Thompson won’t make his preseason debut against the Wizards on Friday in Japan. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/30/kla… – 8:01 AM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
ICYMI: Warriors to hold Klay Thompson out of NBA Japan Games
https://t.co/xSipcRj10C pic.twitter.com/OvIX7MgqCh – 7:04 AM

Madeline Kenney @madkenney
Warriors star Klay Thompson out for Japan preseason games mercurynews.com/2022/09/30/war… – 5:43 AM
Kerith Burke @KerithBurke
Steve Kerr announces Klay Thompson will not play in the Tokyo exhibition games versus the Wizards, a decision made out of caution for his previous injuries. – 5:20 AM
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
Klay Thompson will not play in either preseason game in Tokyo, per Steve Kerr. Kerr said he’s not quite ready to play so early in camp coming off his injuries. Jordan Poole will start in his place. – 5:10 AM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
No Klay Thompson in either Japan game. Steve Kerr said it’s about being cautious based off his two-year absence and this condensed early part of preseason. They want to ease him into action after the trip. Jordan Poole will start tonight. – 5:01 AM
Madeline Kenney @madkenney
Jordan Poole is starting in place of Klay Thompson, who won’t play in either game in Japan. “He’s just not quite ready to play at this point based on we’re so early in camp,” Steve Kerr said. – 5:01 AM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Klay Thompson won’t play tonight, or in either game here in Japan. Jordan Poole will start in his place. – 5:00 AM
Kerith Burke @KerithBurke
Klay reunites in Tokyo with a manager from his college hoops days at Washington State. Go Cougs! pic.twitter.com/T6L5e5VSNa – 3:51 AM

Madeline Kenney @madkenney
Klay Thompson reunites with former Washington State manager in Japan pic.twitter.com/b7gCUZ4DUo – 3:49 AM

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Klay Thompson couldn’t hold his ground this time 😂
🎥 @Golden State Warriors pic.twitter.com/UyZFn8r8Pa – 3:20 AM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Splash Brothers do sumo: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson feel the power of Japanese wrestling legend Hakuhō Shō
cbssports.com/nba/news/splas… – 8:33 PM
Madeline Kenney @madkenney
“Rims are stiffer than my back,” Klay Thompson said. pic.twitter.com/y0XnExBmIr – 1:42 AM

Madeline Kenney @madkenney
Klay Thompson giving pro sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho some tips. pic.twitter.com/ccJ4ZXXXA9 – 1:39 AM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
…the Warriors next order of acute business is to retire Paul Arizin’s No. 11, currently represented exceptionally by Klay Thompson. Dubs wouldn’t be 1st team to honor two names; Klay is a lock to have number retired. See No. 15, retired by the Knicks’ Dick McGuire & Earl Monroe. – 1:15 AM

More on this storyline

 Klay Thompson will not play in either of the Golden State Warriors’ preseason games in Japan, coach Steve Kerr announced. Kerr said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution as the Warriors go through a condensed training camp. “Just feel more comfortable giving him a little more of a ramp up,” Kerr said ahead of the Warriors’ 96-87 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. “He’s just not quite ready to play at this point just based on where, you know, we’re so early in camp. We just want to be safe and make sure he gets a good ramp up before he plays in games.” -via ESPN / October 1, 2022
“Just coming off the two years with the injuries, this is really unique to play a game after 3½ practices so we’re just being cautious and trying to do the smart thing,” Kerr said. Thompson was under a strict game restriction last season — starting under a minute restriction and never playing in back-to-back games — after missing two consecutive seasons with leg injuries. -via ESPN / October 1, 2022