Klay Thompson appreciates the comparisons to Ray Allen after joining the Miami Heat

Klay Thompson appreciates the comparisons to Ray Allen after joining the Miami Heat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After a long time of people speaking about perimeter shooting issues with the Miami Heat roster, they have another addition to their team. With Klay Thompson joining the team after a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, he is set to add much-needed shooting and winning pedigree to the Heat squad.

While Thompson is in his mid-30s now, it seems he is hungry to make a difference for the Heat. He is hungry for success, and this could be just what he needs to become a five-time champion. Heat fans expect a lot from Thompson, even comparing him to an iconic figure from the past.

For a long time, Thompson has been the premier perimeter shooter in the league alongside his former running mate, Stephen Curry. Before they stood out as the league's best shooters, Ray Allen had that crown. He was a standout for multiple teams, including the Heat.

Over the years, Allen's legacy has remained strong, especially with the crucial three-pointer he made in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals for the Heat. It helped them win their second consecutive championship as he forced Game 7, which LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took charge to win.

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Thompson has now received comparisons to Allen, which has always been a comparison for him. Now that he is on the Heat, that comparison is getting even stronger. Thompson is glad that he is getting that, and he feels honored by the people who say it. 

"Of course I like those comparisons. I love Ray Allen. Are you kidding me? Him and Reggie were the blueprint for my whole off-ball formula. It gives me chills I’m even in the same sentence as Ray because if you told me this my rookie season, I would’ve never believed you," Thompson said to ESPN South Florida about getting compared to Allen.

"Ray has one of the greatest shots in history, and I still practice that back pedal drill he did in Game 6 of 2013. I love those comparisons."

As long as Thompson remains at his consistent level as a shooter, he will be one of the standouts for the Heat. Playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a big deal for him because Thompson will benefit from the gravity and the open shots he will receive.

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