If there was any doubt that Klay Thompson would get a heat welcome in his return to the Bay Space, his stroll by way of the tunnel confirmed it ought to be an evening stuffed with ovations.
A nattily dressed Thompson entered the Chase Heart for the primary time as a visiting participant, hours earlier than his Dallas Mavericks performed the Golden State Warriors Tuesday evening. He was met by a human tunnel of supporters, cheering Thompson from either side and waving captain’s hats, a tribute to his love of cruising and the ocean.
Thompson’s departure from the crew — with whom he performed the primary 13 years of his NBA profession and received 4 titles — was tinged with bitterness. He misplaced his beginning spot quickly final season, when Thompson was reportedly “depressing.” When the Warriors requested Thompson to attend for them to conduct different offseason trades, the participant who’s made the sixth-most three-pointers in NBA historical past headed out of city.
However whereas there could also be dangerous emotions between Thompson and the Warriors group, these do not appear to increase to Warriors staff or gamers. The Warriors made a heartfelt video thanking Thompson for all his contributions to their 4 titles and expressing how a lot they missed him upfront of the sport.
After all, their affection for Thompson solely went thus far. Gary Payton II concluded his message by informing Thompson, “Sadly, I gotta kick your a– tonight.” Trayce Jackson-Davis mentioned, “I hope you’ve got an off evening capturing.”
Kevon Looney encapsulated the crew’s emotions finest. “Good luck,” the veteran heart mentioned, including, “I’ll foul you.”
The Warriors are thrilled to see Thompson return. However they will be much more thrilled if he and the Mavericks lose Tuesday.
