Klay Thompson’s Resilient Confidence Draws Parallels to Jason Terry
Despite early shooting struggles with the Dallas Mavericks, Klay Thompson’s unshakable confidence remains his greatest asset. While shooting a career-low 37 percent from three-point range this season, Thompson’s resilient mindset mirrors that of Mavericks legend Jason Terry, whose unwavering belief in his shot was instrumental during Dallas’s 2011 championship run.
Thompson began his Mavericks tenure on a high note, shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc in his first two games. However, his efficiency dipped toward the end of October, including a 4-for-16 stretch over two games. His struggles peaked in a 1-for-8 performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he shot just 12.5 percent from three-point range. Contesting defenders has been a challenge—Thompson is converting just 16.7 percent of his attempts with defenders 2-4 feet away, a steep drop from last season’s 39.5 percent on similar looks.
Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) stands on the court after a timeout against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
What sets Thompson apart is his ability to bounce back from rough outings. Following his 1-for-11 night against Oklahoma City, he delivered a 5-for-9 (55.6 percent) performance against the New Orleans Pelicans, illustrating his resilience.
“The shooting nights where I’m off, it used to really eat at me,” Thompson reflected. “But now, in my 12th season, it’s easier to rebound and get in the gym and think highly of yourself because the proof is in the pudding. If I give everything I have, I can live with the results.”
Thompson’s approach recalls Terry’s celebrated mentality. During the 2011 playoffs, Terry showed similar resilience, rebounding from cold spells with hot shooting performances. In the NBA Finals, after shooting just 25 percent in Game 4, Terry responded with a stellar 60 percent from beyond the arc in Game 5. Thompson himself has cited Terry as the inspiration for his jersey number with Dallas, drawing a direct connection between their shared mindset.
While some Mavericks fans have voiced frustration over Thompson’s willingness to shoot through slumps, this characteristic is critical to his success. Mavericks coaches have found that involving Thompson early in games often helps him rediscover his rhythm, underscoring the importance of maintaining his shot volume.
Earlier this month, Thompson exemplified this bounce-back mentality. After a 1-for-6 performance against the Denver Nuggets, he responded by making 50 percent of his three-point attempts against his former team, the Golden State Warriors, delivering a monster performance.
As Dallas prepares to face the Nuggets again on Friday, Thompson’s confidence remains committed. History suggests that his persistence will pay dividends, particularly as he grows more comfortable within the Mavericks’ offensive system. By continuing to feed Thompson the ball and emphasizing his involvement early, Dallas can help the veteran sharpshooter regain his signature efficiency—and with it, the ability to deliver when it matters most.
