Klay Thompson using Michael Jordan as inspiration for evolving game in mid-30s

To "be like Mike" certainly is easier said than done. Just ask Klay Thompson.

No, the Warriors sharpshooter is not trying to replicate Michael Jordan's game. Instead, he's just trying to become a more well-rounded player late in his career.

After scoring an eye-popping 42 points and draining 12 3-pointers in the Warriors' 116-101 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night at Chase Center, Thompson revealed a conversation he had with Warriors coach Steve Kerr and assistant coach Bruce Fraser about how he can take his game to the next level late in his career.

"I actually talked to Steve [Kerr] and Bruce Fraser about it," Thompson told reporters after the game. "And Steve was just telling me how my game needs to evolve as I get older. He used Michael Jordan as an example of how when he got into his mid-30s, he came such an incredible low post player. Not saying I'm Mike or anything, I'm just saying I can evolve in other areas.

"[Fraser] told me I'm going to go down as one of the greatest to ever shoot it no matter if the ball goes in or not. He's just telling me to go for triple-doubles and round out my whole entire game. I felt those things because those guys are straight shooters, they wouldn't tell me I'm capable of those things if I wasn't. That really resonated with me and I'm going to try to continue to rebound at a high rate and play-make the rest of the season and my career."

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Throughout his career, Thompson, one of the greatest catch-and-shoot guards in the NBA, primarily has been known for his shot and his defense as a two-way player. At 33 years old, the future Hall of Famer is looking to evolve.