Klay Thompson downplays facing Steph Curry and Warriors for first time in his NBA career: "It'd be fun to play for that title"
Klay Thompson is headed home to visit Steph Curry and his Warriors teammates in an NBA matchup on Monday. While many fans are curious about his homecoming, Thompson, though, has brushed off the emotions of playing against his former team for the first time since leaving them this summer.
When asked if the game will have a special meaning or emotions following the Mavericks’ 122-120 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Klay Thompson replied that a game against his former team would be just another day at the office.
"It's just another regular season game in November,” Thompson said “Obviously, there's bigger implications with the NBA Cup. That's what's on our mind is, in my mind, is just to win that because I haven't been a part of it yet. I know it's young, but it'd be fun to play for that title."
Klay Thompson was drafted by the Warriors in the summer of 2011 and quickly became an instrumental part of the franchise’s storied dynasty, which saw them reach six NBA Finals and win four titles.
It perhaps was not the fairytale ending Thompson would have hoped for, given how both parties went through with the contract negotiations that eventually led to him ending the 13-year tenure and signing a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks in July.
Thompson knows the team inside out and feels this clash will give a clear indication of the new role he has taken. Regarded as one of the best deadliest shooters in the game over the past decade, he will bring his A-game against his former team, while asserting the game carries no special emotion for him.
Steph Curry issues emotional message ahead of Klay Thompson's return
Steph Curry let his emotions show by admitting that he's not quite ready for Klay Thompson's return to the Bay Area as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
While Curry acknowledged the excitement of the upcoming matchup, he also admitted to feeling a sense of nostalgia and perhaps a bit of sadness.
"Don't do this to me," Curry said. "I'm not ready for this, man. It's going to be a lot to look forward to and I'm excited to see him, obviously as a friend. But I'm trying to conserve all of my mental energy for Tuesday because it's going to be a lot."
It's always a spectacle when Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are playing on the same team, but facing each other on different teams for the first time adds an extra layer of intrigue to the game.
With just two defeats in 10 games, things have gone better than Dubs fans would have imagined following Thompson’s departure. Meanwhile, the Mavs are 5-5.