After 13 years, Klay Thompson (34) and the Golden State Warriors decided it was time to part ways this summer, largely influenced by Klay’s final game with the Warriors in last year’s play-in. Klay, the 11th overall pick of the Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft, is now with the Dallas Mavericks. Tomorrow, he will return to the Chase Center to face the Warriors for the first time in his career as part of the Emirates NBA Cup, which begins tomorrow.
Klay on Facing the Warriors: “Just Another Game”
Returning to the place he called home for 13 years naturally brings curiosity as to what will be going through Klay’s mind and emotions heading into the game. When asked by a reporter, “What are your initial feelings about returning to Golden State?” Klay’s answer shocked those in attendance and Warriors fans alike: “But to me, it’s just another regular season game in November; obviously there’s bigger implications with the NBA Championship.” You can judge his answer for yourself by watching the video.
I think Klay, as a mature player, understands that his time with Golden State was wonderful, but it is now history. As a professional with a new team, his primary focus is on winning, not mixing emotions. We’ll see tomorrow, but it’s likely we’ll see some tears upon his return, especially as a well-deserved tribute awaits the four-time champion and key figure in all those titles.
Klay against the Warriors for the first time
During his time with the Warriors, Thompson played in 793 regular-season games and 158 playoff games, won four NBAChampionships and set numerous records, including the most points scored in a quarter (37) and the record for most three-pointers made in a game (14). It would be incredible if Klay gets angry or confrontational with Stephen Curry or even better with Draymond Green during the game to make this game much more chaotic and sure to have a lot of emotion.
For this early season, the Warriors (8-2) are tied for first place in the conference and it is Klay who should miss them the most because his “replacement”Buddy Hield is playing better than Klay did in his last two years with the team, but it is still very early in the season, we will see what this year has in store for us, but especially tomorrow’s game. This year, Klay is averaging 13.8 ppg in 30 minutes in 10 games, and he hasn’t missed a free throw, so maybe tomorrow, with the Chase Center crowd screaming against him for the first time, he’ll miss for the first time this year.
