Klay Thompson's unhinged dark side arrives just in time for Mavericks

Klay Thompson is routinely viewed as one of the most laid-back players in the league. But he’s also one of the most competitive players on both sides of the ball who cares deeply about winning. The recent rumblings of his demise, combined with the Dallas Mavericks’ early-season struggles, have forced Thompson to dig deep and adopt the role of enforcer on the team. The ultra-competitive Thompson doesn’t tolerate disrespect, and he has been wearing his heart on his sleeve lately.

It all started on November 22 in a close 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Thompson had a solid game, shooting 6-12 from 3-point range for 22 points. But the real story was a street clothes-wearing Ja Morant talking trash to Thompson. Morant further escalated things after the game, when he pointed his finger in Thompson’s face, and Thompson responded by slapping his hand away. Thompson made it known he wasn’t feeling Morant's disrespect in his postgame interview.

Earlier in that same game, Sanit Aldama of the Grizzlies had intentionally tripped Cooper Flagg, and an angry Thompson quickly confronted him. The message was clear. Uh Uh. We’re not having that on my watch.

Klay Thompson's fearlessness is fueling every part of his game

Two nights later, Thompson found himself in another confrontation in Miami. Another player on the bench seemed to think Thompson was an easy target for trash talk, and Thompson was not having it. Miami Heat rookie Myron Gardner continued to taunt Thompson in the waning moments of a close 106-102 Dallas loss in which Thompson recorded just 13 points.

However, what stood out the most was that Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler marched Myron Gardner to Thompson after the game and made him apologize to Thompson man-to-man. Even Butler knew that this type of disrespect had crossed the line. Thompson has more than earned his stripes amongst the game’s elite. It’s also a well-known fact that you’re not supposed to poke the bear.

Thompson has put the league on notice that the Mavs are not just gonna lie down and mail it in for the season.

They are here to compete, and Thompson takes pride each and every night he puts on his uniform. Behind that rueful smile is a basketball assassin. And Thompson is here to remind the league and his teammates that he has the DNA of a champion. He’s taking a page out of his former teammate Draymond Green’s playbook and making it his own. Enforcer Klay has arrived. And his trademark stroke from downtown has returned as well. This is a win-win for Dallas.

Now, ever since those two confrontations, he’s been a different player. First, he shot 3-6 from three in a 129-119 loss to the Lakers on Friday that featured the long-awaited return of Anthony Davis to the lineup. But there was a noticeable hop in Thompson’s step on both offense and defense.

Then came the second-half explosion against the LA Clippers on Saturday, in which he hit six 3-pointers in the second half to spearhead an impressive 114-110 Mavericks win to the tune of 23 points, along with Cooper Flagg’s season-high 35 points.

But the Mavs may have recorded their most impressive win of the season in a 131-121 win against a very good Denver Nuggets team earlier this week. Thompson shot 3-5 from three for 15 points while spacing the floor and allowing Anthony Davis to have his best game of the season with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks. And Ryan Nembhard played like a perfect Kyrie Irving replacement with 28 points and 10 assists.

Thompson wasn’t the most spectacular. But the Mavs don’t need him to be. He was steady. Consistent. Dependable. And tough.

This is why Mark Cuban doesn’t want to tank the season. Dallas has the pieces to compete with anyone if they can stay healthy. And Kyrie Irving is on the way back. This is why Klay should want to stay in Dallas. And this is why he remains optimistic in the most challenging stretch of his career.

Some would say shooting the basketball is his best attribute, but it’s really his competitive fire. And if an ornery Thompson has to morph into the team enforcer to bring out the best in his teammates, then so be it.