Klay Thompson has seen plenty of stars up close during his NBA career, but his first impressions of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami have clearly stood out.
The Heat’s new addition says Antetokounmpo’s daily grind has already set a tone inside the building, and he didn’t hold back when describing it to ESPN.
“I’m most impressed with GA’s work ethic. It’s ridiculous how hard he works. I see him in here every day putting in work.
“Especially his skill work, working on his jump shot, working on his ability to finish in the paint.
“It’s a joy to be his teammate. His uh work ethic just it trickles down to the last player on the bench and when your best player has that type of work ethic, it makes everyone it raises the level of intensity in the whole organization.”
Those remarks point to more than simple admiration. Thompson is making the case that Antetokounmpo’s approach can lift the entire roster, which matters even more in a place known for its hard-nosed “Heat Culture.”
Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, and his preseason work has already drawn strong reviews. Thompson, meanwhile, came to the Heat as a free agent after an underwhelming stint with the Dallas Mavericks, where he was mostly used off the bench in his second season with the team.
This is familiar territory for Thompson, who has spent his career around elite talent. He played with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant with the Golden State Warriors, then teamed up with Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis in Dallas. Now he’s alongside a perennial MVP contender in Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021.
The pairing could be a dangerous one if Thompson finds his rhythm again. Antetokounmpo’s pressure in the paint should create the kind of space that lets Thompson get to work from deep, and that’s the kind of fit Miami is clearly banking on.
The Heat open the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will answer with accomplished defensive big man Rudy Gobert in the matchup against Antetokounmpo.
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