We stood on business at hoop camp 🫡 Washington is ecstatic to have Klay Thompson on board
The Mavs boast what is perhaps the NBA’s most dynamic scoring trifecta in Thompson, Doncic, and Irving.
“It’s going to be super tough,” announced Washington. My dear Thompson, you must not depart. He’s good at taking opponents down, and Luka and Kyrie are great at what they do.
If I and the other guys around me can improve simply by playing with guys like that, we will all benefit. They’re going to be the center of attention, and as I mentioned before, everyone will have an open shot.
In a six-team blockbuster trade that took place on July 6, the Mavs got Thompson from the Warriors in Golden State. Thompson, who won four titles with the Warriors from 2015 to 22, is sixth all-time in NBA history with 2,481 career three-pointers made; he is also one of the most feared shooters in NBA history.
Washington has been motivated simply by the opportunity to play with Thompson and converse with him both on and off the floor.
Washington made it clear that he considers him to be among the all-time greats from beyond the arc. I think it will benefit my P. J. development in my career and, of course, my colleagues to just probe his brain about a variety of different topics.
I believe we can learn a lot from him because he has won four NBA championships.
Visiting the Mavs Academy Hoop Camp on Tuesday, Washington was in Plano, Texas, at Collin College. He participated in a question-and-answer session with the campers and played knock-out with them and the camp coaches.
Washington, who attended Mavs camps as a kid and grew up in Frisco, had a pleasant recollection of the event.
As he was growing up, he attended numerous camps, he remarked. I had the opportunity to meet and watch players like Jason Terry and J. J. Barea when I was a kid, and it motivated me to keep working hard and following my aspirations.
“I simply wish to keep advocating for these children.”
Washington found solace in the messages of optimism and encouragement from players like Barea and Terry, who pushed him to dream big. Washington always believed he would be an NBA player, and he said that his childhood outlook was that the bigger P. J.’s aspirations were, the more likely they were to come true.
“They always say that a lot of people that go to the NBA don’t make it as a kid,” Washington remarked. I, on the other hand, was the youngster who thought, ‘Well, I’m making it.’
Being here is my whole purpose in life. It’s clear that my perspective led me to this point.
The message that Washington sent to the campers was as straightforward as his personal stance on business.
“Prepare yourself and keep going,” was his advice. “The future has no guarantees.
So, in the end, all it takes is to enjoy yourself and not allow someone tell you that you can’t accomplish something. Never compromise your integrity and never stop pushing yourself to your limits.
Washington went on to say that he had “a lot of fun” after winning every knockout game On Tuesday. Everything has been wonderful at this, my second camp.
“There is a great deal of joy, and it is wonderful to observe children having a good time.”
Incorporating Thompson’s distinct grind and grit into the mix, Washington believes the Mavs will have a blast next year. Last year, the Mavs shocked many by making it to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated in five games by the Boston Celtics.
Against the Celtics, the Mavs struggled in part because they missed 18% of their open three-point attempts. On the other hand, Thompson once set a career best by scoring 60 points off of just 11 dribbles. Also, he doesn’t naturally have a knack for consistently missing open three-point shots.
Overall, Washington thinks the Mavs and Thompson are a perfect fit for the NBA.
Washington made it clear that everyone is aware of his strengths and contributions. “He’s played at a different level.
Just having him around will do wonders for us, as I mentioned before. Obviously, he is eager to compete for a championship, and I believe he is thrilled to be here. As a result, the mood is high right now.
The Charlotte Hornets sold Washington and two second-round picks to the Mavericks on February 8 in exchange for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and P. J., a top-two protected first-round pick in 2027. This was just the beginning of the thrill for Washington.
Washington had a season-long average of 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 29 games for the Mavs last year, and he increased those numbers to 13 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22 games during the playoffs.
A dream come true, it has been, Washington remarked. It would have been great if we had won, but I think everyone is looking forward to next year.
I am eager to return to the gym with my teammates and compete for a championship, so I have been exercising frequently. I am attempting to relocate to my residence at the moment, and I am merely thrilled to be here.
Washington has stated that he is focusing on improving his ball-handling abilities this summer in an effort to add some new dimensions to his game. When asked about his goals, he mentioned being more at ease with the ball, creating opportunities for his teammates, and scoring goals.
Washington, Mosty has been picturing what Thompson brings to the Mavs, how his game-changing acquisition has energised Mavs Nation and put the team in a strong position to repeat their performance from their loss to the Celtics.
“I believe he adds a great deal to our squad,” Washington stated. Lots of people in charge.
His time at the peak is clearly well-documented. Having him on our team is fantastic, and he also provides us with valuable insight.
