Klay reveals Pep’s Tiki-Tika influence on Warriors dynasty and NBA

The Golden State Warriors guard, Klay Thompson has revealed the success his team has enjoyed is down to Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka.

Tiki-Taka is a style of play in Spain’s football characterized by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession.

It is similar to ‘Schalke’s spinning top’ tactic from the 1930s and the Total Football approach of the Ajax and the Netherlands of the 1970s.

The style brought great success to Spain national team under managers like Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque.

Pep Guardiola and his Barcelona team popularize the tactics between 2008-2012. During this period Spanish national team dominated world football winning the EUROs and FIFA World Cup.

Barcelona also recorded huge success winning the famous treble and many more titles during this period.

And Klay during an interview with the TNT crew after the Golden State Warriors game one win against the Lakers said coach Steve Kerr deserves great credit for the success the team has achieved.

Since Steve Kerr was appointed as the Warriors’ coach in 2014, they have played in 6 NBA finals and won the title four times.

The Warriors’ style of play which is similar to Barcelona’s Tika-Taka has brought them great success, so much so that the rest of the NBA teams are now copying them.

“I give credit to Steve, he came in and he had a vision, just to keep that thing hot. He gave us the perfect example of FC Barcelona, they call it tiki-taka,” Thompson told TNT after the Lakers win.

“It’s just kick it to the open man and with us give it to the open man, keep it moving, and it just plays to me and Steph’s (Curry) strengths so much … it’s perfect.”