Klay Thompson's stellar preseason debut proved he wasn't bluffing

Klay Thompson's Dallas Mavericks debut is finally in the books, and he was able to fight through big nerves and have a productive game in just 18 minutes. Thompson only played in the first half, and his performance was a great sneak peek of what he can look like in Dallas during the regular season.

Thompson finished with 10 points and three assists while shooting 3-5 from downtown, and his showing on both ends was just the tip of the iceberg when considering how much of an impact he will make moving forward.

Thompson was one of the most over-criticized players this summer after signing with the Mavs, with most of the criticism being about his defense. He silenced this criticism by playing great defense on the perimeter in his debut against the Utah Jazz, but the takes this summer even starting to drift over to him being cooked offensively and not being the same shooter he once was after a "down" year last season.

Thompson backs up bold Media Day claim in preseason debut

Thompson still believes that he is still the same player he once was, and his fan-favorite quote from Media Day was proven to be true on Thursday night.

"You still can't leave me open," Thompson said at Media Day.

Thompson clearly wasn't bluffing as shown by his performance on Thursday night, and his 3-point shooting is still going to be with him for as long as he plays this game. He drilled three 3-pointers in this game, and all of them were with a defender right in his face. Thompson gets his shot off even when there is little to no space, and the defense was mostly face-guarding him even when he was off the ball. No one wanted to leave him, and his off-ball gravity will help open up the floor for everyone else.

Against Utah, Thompson was also often used as a screener in the pick and pop and he often would slip outside looking for an open look from three. Thompson showcased a general level of his off-ball movement in this game, and he will be much better moving forward.

Thompson said his Mavs debut was the most nervous he's been since his first-ever game in the NBA Finals in 2015, and he settled in the second quarter and looked much more comfortable and less nervous. He remains as confident as ever as a shooter, and his teammates seem to all look up to him.

After the game, Olivier-Maxence Prosper complimented Thompson's "intentionality" and all of the "little things" he does to be great. Prosper was excited to play his first game with Thompson and stated he is someone he can learn from.

After just one game, Thompson's deadly 3-point shooting is undeniable. Thompson believes that he is going to make every shot that he takes, and his point of "you still can't leave me open," proved to be true in his Mavs debut. He will be making the critics who downplayed his shooting eat their words in his first season with the Mavs, and his confidence and shooting expertise will still stay with him as he proves to everyone that he was never bluffing when it comes to his 3-point shooting.