Klay Thompson's Oakland trip revelation could send Warriors' fan base into emotional spree
Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks had a four-day break before taking on the Golden State Warriors in the Bay Area. After losing 118-104 to the OKC Thunder in the NBA Cup quarterfinal on Dec. 10, Dallas had a few days off. Thompson and his teammates arrived in San Francisco on Saturday, ready to face the Dubs the next day.
Game 6 Klay had this to say to a reporter when asked how he spent his downtime:
“I went and drove by my old neighborhood and I was able to go to my friend’s house in Oakland, Seth, and had a great meal. Drove by Oracle [Warriors’ old home court]. Drove by downtown Oakland and it was very surreal because I was 21 years old when I got here. To see the city and the town is always special.”
The Golden State Warriors picked Klay Thompson at No. 11 in the 2011 NBA draft. Thompson spent his first 13 years in the NBA in the Bay Area playing for the Warriors. He helped the team win four championships in eight years and formed a legendary partnership with Steph Curry.
Thompson took his talents to Dallas after he and the Warriors reportedly failed to agree on a new contract early in the offseason. He returned to Chase Center on Nov. 12, his first game against his former team.
Klay Thompson cherishes moments he plays against Steph Curry and other great players
On Sunday, Klay Thompson lined up against Steph Curry for just the second time in his career. He went up against the two-time MVP and his former teammates on Nov. 12. In an emotional return to the Bay Area, Thompson's Mavericks lost 120-117 to the Golden State Warriors.
The rematch on Sunday didn't have the same fanfare, but the game had a playoff atmosphere. Thompson had this to say when asked about going up against Curry:
“You always cherish the moments you get to face the best players. So it’s cool I get to say I guarded Steph. Like I guarded Kobe and KD, it’s just another story I get to tell.”
The next time Klay Thompson will face Steph Curry will be on Feb. 12 in Dallas. The former teammates will cap off their head-to-head duel on Feb. 23 back in the Bay Area.