Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors shares insights into savoring the concluding phase of his professional journey.

Klay Thompson is navigating a season full of ups and downs with the Golden State Warriors. While his renowned shooting prowess poses a threat on certain nights, the five-time All-Star faces challenges finding consistency. Recently, Thompson disclosed a transformative conversation with head coach Steve Kerr that shifted his perspective towards appreciating the final phase of his career and expressing gratitude for the wealth of basketball experiences he has had.

In a statement to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Thompson shared, “Steve and I actually had a great conversation yesterday. And that helped me relax a lot. Sometimes I forget just how successful and how lucky I’ve been to be a part of championship teams and All-Star games and gold medals. When you want to get back to that level so badly it can get in your own way. Rather than forcing it, we had a conversation about just enjoying this last chapter of my career and how lucky I truly am to still be playing this game.”

Currently, Thompson is averaging 16.7 points per game, a notable decline compared to his previous seasons with an average of 20 points. His challenges were underscored by his benching in a late-game scenario against the Phoenix Suns on December 12, culminating in a modest seven-point performance.

Despite a six-game hot streak in mid-December where he averaged 25.7 points, Thompson’s momentum waned, failing to produce a 20-point game in the Warriors’ last four outings. However, he remains focused on maintaining a positive mindset.

“He (Kerr) helped me realize that if I do have negative energy…how that affects a team in a poor manner. So we had a great conversation that just helped me change my whole mindset,” Thompson added.

Acknowledging Thompson’s potential for explosive outside shooting, especially with a renewed state of mind, reinforces the belief that he should never be underestimated on the court.