Golden State Warriors marksman Klay Thompson has called himself the best shooting guard in the NBA.
Although he considered the Houston Rockets’ James Harden and the Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler, Thompson picked himself when asked to name the best player at each position in the NBA.
“I’m going to go with myself,” Thompson told Bay Area News Group, also predictably naming team-mate and fellow ‘Splash Brother’ Stephen Curry as the top point guard. “We’re 26-1.”
Compared to all players at his position, Thompson ranks sixth this season in points per game at 19.3, but is third in shooting at 47.3 per cent and second in 3-point percentage at 43.7.
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In his head-to-head match-ups with Harden and Butler this season, he has been outscored 16-11 and 28-15 respectively, but the Warriors won both encounters.
Following a relatively slow start Thompson is having a massive December, averaging 27.0 points on 50.8 per cent shooting from the field and 47.3 per cent shooting from long range.
That stretch has included 39 points against Indiana on December 8 and a 43-point explosion over Phoenix last week.
“When you play with a free mind and you play thinking you’re not hurt and you’re healthy, that’s when you’re playing your best,” he said.
Where Thompson may have a case is his ability to convert from anywhere on the floor, especially beyond the arc. He ranks fifth in the league in triples made with 80 to lead all two-guards.
