Klay Thompson clarifies Golden State Warriors don't blame Kevin Durant for leaving
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson certainly regrets not winning a third title with Kevin Durant. However, the guard recently clarified that none of the players on the team were bitter about Durant's decision to leave.
Klay Thompson is widely regarded as one of the best shooters of all time. Playing alongside arguably the greatest shooter of all-time in Steph Curry, Thompson enjoyed a lot of success with the Golden State Warriors.
Making his grand return to the game last season, Thompson tasted victory once again as the Warriors emerged as the 2022 NBA champions. However, the Warriors guard still had some regrets.
The Golden State Warriors were at the peak of their powers during the 2016-2018. With Kevin Durant joining the side, the team looked nigh unstoppable.
After failing to secure a three-peat in 2019, the Dubs saw Durant leave the team to join the Brooklyn Nets. Several believed that there was some internal animosity directed towards Durant after his move to Brooklyn. However, Thompson mentioned that this wasn't the case.
Klay Thompson addressed the matter on the All the Smoke podcast with Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes.
"I don’t blame him, we don’t blame Kevin for leaving at all. He is from the East Coast, and if I was [from] the East Coast and I had a great -- was two games away from a three-peat, it’s like, ‘What more do y’all want from me, man? You want a six-peat?’
“If it wasn’t for catastrophic things, we probably would have had three championships in that time, but man, we don’t blame him at all.”
An unfortunate series of events saw the Warriors lose two of their key players over the course of the playoffs. With Durant's injury being the final straw, the Warriors saw the end of an era on the horizon.
However, Golden State managed to revive themselves in miraculous fashion. Winning their fourth title in eight years, the Warriors established themselves as a dynasty in the modern era.
Klay Thompson continues to add value to the roster
Klay Thompson's run-ins with injuries left the Golden State Warriors in a mess. With subsequent injuries to Steph Curry and Draymond Green in that time, the Warriors saw some of their least productive years. However, Thompson's return to the team last season gave them the boost they needed.
Thompson is the ideal backcourt partner for a player such as Curry. While both have a similar playing style, Thompson is a far more orthodox variant. This gives him the ability to support Curry by drawing a little attention away from him.
While Klay has certainly lost a step, he remains an extremely potent offensive threat. Especially considering his experience as a player in the Warriors' system, Thompson significantly increased the team's fluidity on the offensive front.
Thompson remains a pivotal member of the team. Although the star has seen some changes to his role, Klay Thompson continues to deliver. With the team mounting their title defense, the Warriors will also hope to see Thompson remain healthy and available for the long season.