In the NBA, perception has a comfortable double digit lead on reality. Once a player becomes know for a certain attribute, a narrative, or an image, it is hard to shake and overcome.

When it comes to Warriors guard Klay Thompson, the perception is that he’s an easy going shooting savant that has a penchant for “living his best life”. It’s like all fans and the media sees is are the threes, his off-court proclivities and nothing more.

But Thompson is way more than a free spirited shooter.

In case you didn’t get the memo, Thompson is a damn good and underrated defender who’s worthy of a slot on the NBA’s all defensive team.

On ball defense is greatest strength

Every night, Thompson has the challenge of guarding the opposition’s biggest backcourt threat. If it’s the Rockets, he picks up James Harden. If it’s the Jazz, he picks up Donovan Mitchell, he gets Portland’s Dame Lillard, etc, and embraces the challenge.

Not to mention, Thompson wins his share of the matchups. He has held volume shooters such as Harden and Russell Westbrook to 39.7  percent and 22.6 from the field respectively. As weird as it sounds, it’s easy to forget that Thompson is a lanky 6’7 guard with a sizable wingspan. Plus, he’s disciplined enough to play defense with his feet as opposed to giving into the temptation to reach.

Are ‘metrics’ hindering Thompson?

Currently, Thompson ranks fifth among his position in steals with 1.18 per game (he was 35th last season) and fourth among blocks with 0.64 per after finishing 10th last season. Judging Thompson by steals and blocks is unfair and really doesn’t encompass the concept of defense in its entirety. Thompson isn’t known for his steals on defense. Even Stephen Curry, who has a negative perception of being a bad defender, led the league in steals during his unanimous MVP season. However, that is not indicative of being constant on defense. It’s mostly that the ability to play the passing lanes well is present. Most players are not Kawhi Leonard ripping opponents dribble. Blocks, like steals doesn’t encompass the totality of defense, it’s only one aspect. Thompson isn’t known for his blocks either. So, since he’s not in the passing lanes to get more steals or leave his feet when he’s defending to get blocks, why judge him on that?

Thompson’s impact on defense should be measured by his movements. By the fact that he bothers his man and force him to take contested shots. By forcing him to pass the ball. The metrics that should matter for Thompson is the low shooting percentages he holds the Hardens, the Lillards, and the Irvings too.

Based on those numbers and the old-fashioned eye test, Thompson deserves his long overdue spot.