Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson has been known to be one of the most calm and relaxed players in the league. Rarely does he show emotions on the court and just allows his game to speak for himself.
Now that the organization he plays for has formed a “super team” with the addition of Kevin Durant this summer, a lot of chatter has already started on how many championships they'll win and how head coach Steve Kerr can manage the egos of his superstars.
In a recent interview with The Vertical, the Washington State product narrated how he found out Durant's commitment to join the Warriors.
“I was sleeping, and my brother came to my room and woke me up to tell me that KD committed. I didn’t believe it at first when he told me, so I had to check my phone and verify it. I was like, “Seriously? KD really chose us?” It was an incredible moment for our organization, and I was psyched. We had the final form of our team.
“And then I went back to sleep.”
He also chimed in on talks that he is the one to sacrifice and change his game the most to accommodate what their new superstar brings to the team:
“I feel kind of disrespected that people keep using the term sacrifice to describe me and describe us, We all want to see each other do well. But I’m not sacrificing [expletive], because my game isn’t changing. I’m still going to try to get buckets, hit shots, come off screens. I want to win and have a fun time every game we play.
“The NBA season can get mundane; 82 games are so long and there can be some boredom. Now, we can embrace being the hated team and getting everyone’s best, and adding some tension every night. It’ll be a fun experience going into arenas on the road, with opposing fans hating what we’ve built.”
The Vertical also had a chance to speak briefly with Durant and he agrees that Thompson should just play his game; his game that has made him one of the best shooting guards in the league today:
We want Klay to stay Klay, We don’t want him to change. The games dictate where the shots come from. I may shoot 12 shots one night; Klay may shoot eight or nine shots one night, and Steph may shoot 25 shots one night. And it could be a different flow another night.”
Fortunately for both players, their Team USA experience allows them to get na early feel for each other's habits on the court.
Certainly, all the attention the team has gotten this free agency will still continue when the 2016-2017 season starts. Eyes will be on the team considered one of the best in history, on paper, and Durant's decision as the move that will forever change the landscape of the NBA.
Beyond all the hype and expectations of winning, what's most important to see first is the how the team's four stars will co-exist.