BOCA RATON — Do not underestimate the aging future Hall of Famer looking for that last score, that final chance to make a difference for a franchise seeking experience and to help reach the top.
South Florida has two of the biggest examples:
- Ray Allen joining the Miami Heat in 2012 and helping the Big Three win their second title with one of the biggest shots in franchise history, a 3-pointer in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs that sent the game into overtime. Miami won Games 6 and 7.
- Brad Marchand joining the Florida Panthers late in the 2024-25 season and months later scoring six goals in the Stanley Cup Finals against Edmonton, helping Florida to its second consecutive championship.
Klay Thompson hopes to join the club.
Thompson is 36, the same age as Allen when he signed with theMiami Heat in 2012. In fact, his strengths are similar, especially arriving in South Florida having carved a spot among the greatest shooters in league history.
Both were champions before they arrived. Both know what it's like to defer to Alpha teammates.
"What Klay's done in this league should be celebrated and respected in our locker room, which it is," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "And we can take from those
experiences."
Thompson is well aware of his role, having arrived after Miami traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And it does matter he was Plan B after LeBron Jamesdecided to take his talents to South Street in Philadelphia, instead of South Beach 2.0, for his last act in the NBA.
And at $11.5 million for two years, this is a win for Thompson and the Heat.
Thompson is embracing a different style, different culture, different superstar teammate than he did playing along side Steph Curry for 11 seasons at Golden State.
With Antetokounmpo joining Bam Adebayo to form one of the best big-man combinations in the league, Thompson was acquired for his long-range shooting. His talent as a perimeter defender is just a bonus.
And nobody on the roster brings that experience and ability to spread the floor like Thompson.
"When I was with Steph, we operated so well off the ball together," Thompson said. "And now with Giannis, he is so good at getting downhill and his pressure he applies to the rim is probably the best in the NBA."
That means the 6-foot-6 Thompson will be lurking by the 3-point circle, spacing the floor and keeping the defense honest, which can only benefit Giannis and Bam.
Klay Thompson on first Miami Heat practice: 'tiring, high intensity'
Thompson got his first taste of playing with this roster Tuesday on Day 1 of training camp at Florida Atlantic University, a day that had Spoelstra wondering if he may have to dial it back a bit after what he witnessed.
"They wanted to get after it today and compete against each other," Spoelstra said. "So we got to that probably quicker and did more of that. Knowing their personalities, these type A competitors are probably going to want to do the same thing tomorrow."
How intense was it?
Thompson, who called the workout "tiring, high intensity," said he missed a couple of box outs and Adebayo kind of "lit me up."
"I love that," he added. "We hold each other accountable like that. And we take this real serious."
Thompson is fourth all-time with 2,899 3-pointers, 74 behind Allen. He once scored 37 points in a quarter and set the NBA record of 14 3s in a game. And did it in 27 minutes. He creates his shot with his energy, always moving and looking for screens.
"He has a neon sign anytime he's running down the floor and that sign is exploding for both teams," Spoelstra said about the need for the Heat, and the defense, to find Thompson.
"They know as soon as the ball is crossing half court, they're trying to get to him, get him off the line."
Klay Thompson has won 4 NBA Championships, been in six Finals
Thompson is a winner. He has four rings, all with Golden State. He has been to six NBA Finals.
"I don't think anybody in this building might have more championship DNA," Giannis said, before realizing his misstep.
"Okay, maybe Pat Riley and Spo. Maybe some people in this building. Sorry."
But we get the point.
Thompson's incentive also is fueled by two seasons in Dallas that ended with the very unfamiliar experience of not making the playoffs. He came off the bench for all but eight games last season.
At Miami, he's expected to start.
Not just that. Thompson calls himself a "basketball junkie" and admits records motivate him. "I want to still climb up the record books," he says.
That means passing Allen, No. 3 all-time on the 3-point field goal list. Which, if he's around his career average for 3s in a game (3.1) or even last year (2.9), could come in his 25th game.
"I grew up watching Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and those guys inspired me to shoot the ball every single day," Thompson said. "And the chance to pass Ray in a Heat uniform, that gives me so much motivation to keep going."
This is the perfect union, for both sides.
The Heat who need Thompson's shooting and championship DNA, as Giannis said. And Thompson, who needed a team on the rebound seeking his specific skills.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Heat's Klay Thompson eyes passing Ray Allen on 3-point field goal list
