Golden State adjusting without Klay Thompson

Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and NFL since 2006. Prior to that he covered Nets/Knicks/NBA coverage. After 12 years at New York Daily News Ohm joined ESPNNewYork.com. Ohm is an Alum of Michigan State University.
Although not specifically mentioned here, one aspect that does come up is when discussing what constitutes “normalcy”. When we think back over history and all its successes we might come away thinking: I bet someone must have known this secret world!! Follow him on Twitter >> Ohm’s chat archive >> LAIE, Hawaii — Draymond Green was driving his wife and children to an assembly for his daughter when his phone rang with Klay Thompson’s name flashing across its display screen – something Green hadn’t known his former teammate to make conversational small talk until now in 12 years as teammates. Green sensed something was amiss as Thompson is rarely calling, let alone to discuss “nothing” for nearly five minutes straight, according to ESPN reports. Green turned back toward his wife Hazel who was sitting anxiously in the passenger seat to inquire what Thompson had said; free agency would begin soon and she was keenly watching what Green told her: “He left,” Green informed Hazel, without saying what had just occurred or saying anything as yet; instead simply telling her “he went”. Green then told Hazel “but don’t tell anyone,” before laughing out loud with excitement that Thompson had left without saying goodbye or anything more specific; just that “he went.” “Shortly thereafter, Thompson began discussing all that Green, Stephen Curry and himself had achieved while with the Golden State Warriors together and how nothing will ever alter their close bond. Editor’s Pick2 RelatedThompson mentioned free agency in relation to leaving. Green inquired where Thompson intended on going. “Texas,” Thompson replied. He told them he had his eye set on joining the Dallas Mavericks and exploring a new city after spending much of his career in California. Green was delighted for Thompson and understood he wanted a fresh start after an unpleasant end with Golden State, adhering to Thompson’s request that none of their star teammates intervene on his behalf with Warriors management in pursuit of revenge against Golden State management. Green found it hard not to intervene, yet recalls his internal debate in 2023 when Thompson and Curry gave him space before signing him to a four-year, $100 million extension contract. For Curry however, respecting Thompson’s request wasn’t simple – they often found it challenging fulfilling them fully. As Stephen Thompson informed Stephen Curry of his decision, Curry attempted to find some sort of compromise solution he could launch to keep their Splash Brothers together. According to ESPN reports on their conversation: he could ask but I did not have to listen.” “Though Stephen Curry never anticipated it would come to this, life without Thompson began last week at Warriors training camp in Hawaii.” Curry and Green enjoyed 518 wins, 23 playoff series wins and four NBA championships together – tied with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for most championships by an All-NBA trio over 50 seasons — during their 11 year relationship. Now without Thompson on board they began taking steps forward without him last week with Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski starting auditions to fill his role. Curry and Green were eagerly anticipating what the new team could bring them, yet at the same time were mindful there would never be an exact replacement for Thompson – five-time All-Star who shot 2,481 3-pointers, led the Warriors to six NBA Finals appearances, and formed one half of possibly basketball’s greatest shooting duo ever seen – who helped reach three Finals championships during his six year run with them. When reporting back for media day at Chase Center on Sept 30 – officially signaling training camp – Curry realized Thompson wouldn’t be back with him this season despite all his years as teammate! Curry mentioned how Klay would often arrive to practice from his boat wearing his Dockers or another outfit of choice; with one-liners that always seemed hilarious when entering. “[He would have an] incredible presence when walking into practice facility with Dockers on. “[I’m] talking about him like he passed away, which is very surreal… Life throws up many surprises in sports; people change teams regularly; but up until just one week ago when he decided to sign with Dallas we never really anticipated this being it for him. Kerr Emphasizes Establishing Warriors Identity Through Competition Steve Kerr emphasizes the significance of competition to establishing identity among his Golden State Warriors during training camp. When Draymond Green walked into the Chase Center locker room to work out in late August he was taken aback when two names shared Thompson’s old locker: Daeqwon Plowden and Jackson Rowe. “Oh wow!” Green exclaimed. “When I left this locker room, [Klaus Thompson’s locker was] the first person who caught my attention – then suddenly not anymore – it became those guys’. At that moment it hit home for Green: this really happened! ‘Oh s—. This is happening. ‘ Plowden, who now plays for the Atlanta Hawks, and Rowe who was active in the G League last season are unlikely to replace Thompson on court. There are a handful of new faces and young players poised to assume larger roles this season for the Warriors, including Hield (career 40% 3-point shooter) and Kyle Anderson in exchange for Thompson heading out west. Golden State hopes Hield can quickly adapt to Steve Kerr’s offense. Melton signed an 18 million one-year deal that offers both-way versatility. Additionally, they’re keeping tabs on second year guard Podziemski. “One reason we are excited about Buddy Hield joining our roster is because he will run some of the same plays we used with Klay,” Kerr explained to ESPN. Draymond Green and Steph will look for him when playing alongside him, looking out on the perimeter to look for them when needed. Melton and Kyle Anderson also fit our profile: they fit any lineup effortlessly as smart yet tough players that make for easy playing partners. So we covered everything that went down this summer in the NBA! “Pelton grades the top free agency deals”* Marks details 30 teams with key moves* Power Rankings: Where teams stand* Pelton offers Free Agent Grades | Trades* Lowe notes that Denver faces an interesting conundrum as free agency nears its conclusion * Shelburne details Paul George to Philadelphia | Klay leaves Bay* Windhorst welcomes in an “apron era”.
“So I don’t anticipate an extremely difficult transition basketball-wise. However, Klay being gone will leave an emotional hole behind that’s difficult to fill with someone you were so close with; yet you must move forward with life and move past these painful feelings of separation. However, that part is particularly saddening but eventually one must move on.” “During the off-season, the Warriors inquired about signing veteran stars such as Lauri Markkanen and Paul George but ultimately decided against doing so due to fear that too much assets might need to be sacrificed in exchange for signing them. Golden State will rely heavily on its young core to keep Stephen Curry and Draymond Green relevant, while Andrew Wiggins hopes to build upon the two-way skillset which helped win them their last championship back in 2022. Wiggins averaged 13.2 points during last season but hopes for better returns this time around. Jonathan Kuminga enters his fourth season hoping to build on last season’s 16.1 average points, while rookie Jace Podziemski made waves as an impressive contributor averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on an average basis – and could play an even larger role this time around. Moses Moody hopes for more minutes and the chance to improve upon his 36% 3-point shooting percentage. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. noted that although all members of the organization miss Thompson – particularly seeing his beloved dog, Rocco! – they remain confident the roster can adapt quickly enough. “Our approach has been to keep things as natural and uncomplicated as possible, rather than overthink it or overcompensating,” Dunleavy told ESPN. “I think everyone will adapt, move forward and have an enjoyable season – including Klay.” “Green and Curry have been busy taking part in training camp as usual and anticipate that it won’t fully hit them until regular season begins when Thompson will no longer be around to assist them. Green predicts he’ll feel Thompson’s absence when the Warriors start off their home opener against the Clippers on October 27. “You notice Klay when hearing [our starting lineup], before Steph it says Klay.” Green may take time adjusting to the fact that Thompson won’t always be available when looking for shooters off screens at the top of the key; when passing to him for threes was unsurpassed by any player on Curry’s roster. ESPN Research reports that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson’s duo has set an all-time assist record over the past 25 seasons with 622 assists on Thompson 3-pointers combined; Green assisted on 611 3-pointers to Curry. “That chemistry comes over time and battles,” Curry noted. “Throughout playoffs and championships, our team earned trust through team chemistry. Each time we hit the court healthy and ready to compete against any challengers we faced was exhilarating; each play on court gave me that feeling that this could be won”. “In NBA history, few core threes can remain together so long – with Duncan, Ginobili and Parker among them – though we wanted their relationship to last as long as possible and keep all our accomplishments on display.” “That trio was special; iconic. Our goal was always to stay together.” Green credits Thompson’s two seasons out due to injury in 2019-20 and 2020-21 as something which helped prepare his teammates for this momentous moment in time. “Fortunately, when we were hurt we got some practice before this.” Green joked. “So it won’t be our first experience.”play0:19’Ew!’ Steph Curry had an amusing reaction upon discovering Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II talking at the Liberty game in New York on September 1. Curry attended this particular contest as part of his visit to Barclays Center for an exhibition match between Aces-Liberty. CURRY witnessed their meeting courtside where Thompson was there along with future Dallas teammate Dereck Lively II – with whom Curry shared courtside seating! Curry made sure to playfully amplify awkward moments for cameras by walking between his two new teammates and shouting, “Ew!” in between each step. Publicly, their encounter may have seemed awkward – sitting across from each other across a court from each other – yet good friends had planned on meeting during halftime at Barclays Crown Club restaurant lounge for dinner and drinks. “That was actually perfect – meeting him again felt just like seeing a friend!” Curry exclaimed of their first encounter after returning from Paris Olympic gold-medal triumph. Sign up now and unlock everything ESPN+ offers you!
Curry knows when they first face each other as opponents: on November 12, when Dallas Mavericks visit Chase Center. Curry, Green and Kerr know it will be one of their most emotional nights ever experienced in basketball. Tears may flow when the Warriors honor Thompson with a video full of memories and hear the Golden State crowd applaud him, with Curry recalling their training camps and practices competing against one another on opposing teams: “Through our respective training camps and practices we played against one another on different sides. ” “But nothing beats an actual competitive NBA game! They will hold their ceremony and I plan on being present and fully involved with celebrating him how it should be celebrated… then the war begins… That is our destiny as humans!” Green maintains his intention not to treat Thompson differently from LeBron James; “I plan on running through his chest,” Green noted, as this action reminded him of playing against his older brother when they played together as children. This public disdain for me and Bron’s friendship only further serves the public perception. “[Thompson is] someone I tend to kill on the court more often, taking him out more frequently than Kyrie [Irving]. That’s just it; more likely I am than Kyrie to run through his chest than Kyrie is [Irving].” Curry and Green may make sure Thompson knows where they stood on court after this split but hope the situation remains amicable for all concerned parties involved.” “This divorce, if there’s even such a thing,” Green stated. “Many divorces can be quite contentious – not this one though; instead I look at this more as just the next chapter for all involved; an opportunity for me and Steph to see what we can accomplish together. Before Thompson headed for Dallas training camp, he called Green to see if he wanted to join them for one last summer boat ride on their newly purchased vessel in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for Green, family obligations prevented her from making the ride; unfortunately for Curry though she never joined Thompson out on the water.” Life and raising a family made finding time difficult. “When we first came into the league we talked about taking out [our boat], doing stuff we used to do together,” Curry stated. As soon as Draymond and I had children together, their schedules became chaotic; but at some point I will recommit myself to our relationship, even though we weren’t teammates anymore. “You’re friends first; teammates second. Unfortunately that will always be how it is between us; although I wish it weren’t this way; yet I love Klay; respect him 78 games out of every year but won’t necessarily root for him when playing against him in four other contests – in those four contests though! “