Concerning Klay Thompson doubt immediately crushed by new Mavericks teammate

Part of the nonstop buzz and excitement from Klay Thompson signing with the Dallas Mavericks this summer has been accompanied by doubt.

Not everyone is a big believer in Thompson's fit with the Mavs, and the biggest unknown about his role in Dallas is how he'll hold up defensively. Thompson isn't the same defender that he once was before the multiple injuries he suffered while playing for the Golden State Warriors, and some think that his defense will hold the starting lineup back.

Thompson has already been reported as the expected starter at small forward next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and he'll have to be at least competitive on that end to be a dream fit in this starting lineup.

Despite all of the doubt from the outside looking in, the inside has a different idea about what Thompson has left in the tank defensively.

Williams backs Thompson's lateral movement on defense

Mavs guard Brandon Williams was the first player at the podium at Media Day on Monday, and when asked about Thompson, he dove into what he brings as a shooter as well as his defense. He wasted no time before silencing a doubt that many people have about Thompson.

"We've already seen it in pickups that we've played, the guy can slide his feet," Williams said. "Obviously, we know he can shoot. He brings a lot to our team, he's going to create a lot of open shots for a lot of guys just because of his attention and his name itself."

Williams has already seen that Thompson is letting it fly, but his comment about Thompson moving laterally is the most important part of this quote. If Thompson can move well laterally on defense, the sky is the limit for this Mavs team.

Wings who can defend well in space have been a recipe for success during the Luka era, and Thompson thriving in this area will silence all of the doubters who think starting him is the wrong move. Once again, Thompson won't be the All-Defense player he once was, but Williams has at least taken notice that Thompson won't be a defensive liability.

If he can move better laterally this season compared to years in the past, this will allow him to defend guards more effectively and be more versatile as a defensive piece. Having to hide Thompson on defense would be a nightmare for Jason Kidd, but that doesn't seem to be the case considering what Williams had to say about his new teammate.

Thompson being a positive on defense changes everything for their lineup versatility and potential moving forward, and the doubters would be silenced once and for all, and Mavs fans would be thrilled. It shouldn't be expected that he'll defend the other team's best player often, but him holding his own when on the wing would be a pleasant surprise.

Thompson will be tested early and often by opposing teams, and he'll be looking to show that he is still the same player that he once was.