"31 is nasty work killa": Draymond Green hilariously pokes fun at Klay Thompson Mavs' jersey number
Draymond Green had a fun reaction to Klay Thompson's new jersey number. After spending the first 13 years of his career with the Golden State Warriors, the sharpshooter signed with the Dallas Mavericks to continue his NBA career alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
The Mavs introduced Thompson on Tuesday, revealing his new jersey number. The shooting guard picked 31, which contrasts a lot with his former No. 11 in Golden State.
Draymond Green had a short but fun reaction to this pick, calling the number 'nasty work.'
"31 is nasty work killa," Green wrote on an Instagram story posted earlier today.
It didn't take long for fans to speculate about the meaning behind this new jersey number. Some said this was a message to the Warriors about blowing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers and others saw it as Klay Thompson picking a number above 30, which is worn by his former teammate Steph Curry.
Klay Thompson won't be able to wear his old number because Kyrie Irving currently owns No. 11, but he had a notable explanation for this selection. Thompson wants to start fresh in Dallas and he's not taking this opportunity for granted.
Klay Thompson explains why he picked No. 31 with the Mavericks
Klay Thompson credited one Mavericks legend, among other players, to explain why he went with No. 31 to start his career in Dallas. During his introductory press conference, the four-time NBA champion said:
"Well, Kyrie took my number... no I'm just kidding. It's a change for me. I'm not mad at the change, I'm actually excited for it. It's been a lot of great 31s in this franchise's history. Jason Terry won a championship wearing that number, and we play very similar styles as far as the off-guard position, spacing the floor, shooting.
"He had a great year with them. Who else? {Media member mentions Nick Van Exel] Nick wore 31 here? He was on the Mavs, they had a good year with him too. Love Nick the Quick."
He added:
"Reggie Miller wore 31 and I watched so much footage of Reggie coming off screens as a teenager, especially his ability to make game-winning shots, that is the most inspiring thing to see as a shooter because he had no fear whether he made or missed the shot, he was going to live or die by it."
Klay Thompson is joining a team that made the NBA Finals last season and they hope that his addition can help them get over the hump.