Klay Thompson's Bench Opens Door for Mavericks' Young Talent
Jason Kidd's decision to bring Klay Thompson off the bench benefits a promising Mavericks player significantly. After a heavy loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Kidd changed the starting lineup, choosing D'Angelo Russell over Thompson.
Thompson contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists on 4-7 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench. Despite a solid performance, Kidd's willingness to bench Thompson signals opportunity for Max Christie to secure a starting role even after Kyrie Irving recovers from injury.
Max Christie's Rising Role
At 22 years old, Christie has been a standout for Dallas this season. His offseason improvements are evident on the court: he's more confident attacking closeouts, handles the ball well in open space, and shoots nearly 50% from three-point range. Though such efficiency may not last the entire season, his all-around polished game is a valuable asset.
- Great cutter and overall team player
- Consistently doing the small but crucial things
- Started five games after Dereck Lively II's knee sprain
"Kidd proving he wasn't reluctant to bench Thompson bodes well for Max Christie's hopes of staying in the starting lineup, even when Kyrie Irving returns from injury."
Christie was promoted to the starting lineup following Lively's injury after Dallas' victory over Toronto in their third game of the season.
Author's summary: Klay Thompson’s benching signals a shift, giving young Max Christie a crucial chance to cement his role in the Mavericks' starting lineup with confident play and versatility.