Bike rides and Balkan music: Klay Thompson is embracing a fresh start with the Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks face Golden State Warriors for the first time on Tuesday night .

Former Warriors star Layan Thompson chose Dallas over L.A. Lakers in free agency to pursue a fifth championship ring.

Thompson : "I really feel the love here, and I feel highly valued that I can do great things" Pippen 's success in Portland served as inspiration for Thompson .

Klay Thompson accepted a three-year , $50 million contract offer from Dallas Mavericks .

The Warriors and Mavs tied a record-setting six -team sign-and-trade deal.

Buddy Hield is off to a spectacular start for the Warriors, averaging 18.0 points per game.

Kevin Durant , Thompson 's former teammate, can relate to what Thompson is going through in Dallas .

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd cautioned that it would be an " 82 -game journey" to incorporate Thompson into the Mavericks ' system.

Thompson is averaging 13.8 points per game -- his lowest since his rookie season -- and shooting a career-low 35.4% from 3 -point range.

"My game fits this team so well as far as stretching the floor, playing hard defense and being that two -way guy again," Thompson says.