Steph, Warriors ready for ‘war’ with Klay, Mavericks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area this season
Steph Curry will be first in line to give Klay Thompson his flowers when the former Warriors sharpshooter returns to Chase Center on Nov. 12. But after the pregame festivities end, it’s war.
His words, not ours.
Curry and longtime Warriors teammate Draymond Green spoke exclusively with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk last week at the team’s training camp in Lā’ie, Hawaii, where they discussed Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason and what it will be like to play against Thompson for the first time. this season.
“Through training camp and practices, we played against each other on opposite teams,” Curry told ESPN. “But there’s nothing like a real competitive NBA game. So they’ll have the ceremony… and I’ll be fully involved and present and make sure you celebrate it the way it’s supposed to be celebrated.
‘And then it’s war. That’s how we’re all built.’
Green had a more abstract prediction for his first match against Thompson.
“I’m going to run through his chest,” Green added. “Because I used to run through my older brother’s chest when we played. There’s always a public disdain for me and [LeBron James’] brotherhood. I’m trying to kill him [on the court] more than anyone else. I’ll take him out. And vice versa. That’s it. I’m more likely to run through his chest than Kyrie [Irving].”
Neither Curry nor Green wanted Thompson to leave Golden State, but they understand the veteran guard’s decision and in no way harbor any ill will toward their longtime teammate.
“It’s a happy divorce, if there is a divorce,” Green told ESPN. “A lot of divorces are bad. This isn’t one of them. I don’t even qualify it as a divorce. It’s just the next chapter in our whole lives. It’s an opportunity for me and Steph, see what we can do.” do it together.”
Green even revealed to ESPN that Thompson invited him for one last boat ride in Los Angeles before leaving for training camp in Dallas, before a family emergency prevented Green from taking Thompson up on his offer.
However, Curry is one of the few longtime teammates of Thompson who hasn’t joined him on a boat trip over the years, but hopes to one day.
“It’s weird, we talked about it [taking the boat out] when we first came into the league, things we did together,” Curry told ESPN.” Then you get families, me and Draymond have multiple kids and schedules get out of hand. But one day I will get on this boat, even if we are no longer teammates.”
Curry, Green, coach Steve Kerr and many within the Warriors organization will always have love and admiration for Thompson, both on and off the court, even as potential Western Conference rivals.
“You are friends first, teammates second,” Curry added. “And that’s the way the relationship is and it always will be. I wish it was both. But I love Klay, I respect him 78 games a year. I won’t say I’ll root for him, but I’ll put him in keep an eye on him. The other four games we play against him, I will be ready to go against him.”
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