CAPTAIN KLAY IS BACK IN THE BUILDING, BUT AT WHAT COST?!
Well. This moment has been a long time coming folks. Our guy Klay Thompson is no longer a Golden State Warrior, but he’s back in the building at Chase Center as an enemy Dallas Maverick.
Let the emotions flow folks, from the floor that Thompson sweat and bled on for years, to the rafters where the four banners he helped raise tower above the arena his work supported the creation of.
Let’s cheer him on, and then give him an L worthy of his great prestige, splashing the ex-Splash Bro like the Dubs have done to so many other opponents.
Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks
When: November 12th, 2024 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game
“Welcome back home, brother.”
The Warriors shared their messages to Klay Thompson upon his return to the Bay ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mRJmYAhKy1
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 12, 2024
How is Klay doing? He’s averaging 30.1 mpg over 10 games, averaging 13.8 points per game on 42% shooting from the field, 35% from beyond the arc. Klay is notorious for having shooting slumps throughout the season, so these numbers don’t necessarily mean anything terrible. Also, he’s adapting to a whole new system apart from Steve Kerr’s basketball world.
Warriors employees give Klay an ovation as he enters Chase Center pic.twitter.com/lEtFhlKMRY
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 13, 2024
As much as there is emotion tied to this from the Warriors point of view, it also has to be a trip for Klay’s new teammates on the Mavericks. Take Kyrie Irving for example:
“He’s really focused. He’s locked in… We feel the emotions. We feel the heaviness of it. This is what makes sports great, too. Moments like this.”
More from Kyrie on Klay’s return pic.twitter.com/yCVXdL3Nx6
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 12, 2024
We’ve seen Klay lock in for big games before. Game 6 Klay came about as a moniker for him putting nuclear levels of scoring and heady play to save the Warriors dynasty when they needed it most.
It’s bizarre that there’s potential that he could bring that same basketballian devastation back to Chase Center, but as a rival and not a beloved Splash Bro.
Klay Thompson on if he’s kept in touch with Steph and Draymond:
“I’m locked-in. Not really. I will see them when I see them. That’s it.”
(via @MarcJSpears) pic.twitter.com/lp2wJhU9JR
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 11, 2024
On the flip side, what if Golden State does what it’s been doing all season, and puts boots to asses to another NBA team on their red hot start. They’ve jumped out the gates to an 8-2 record, swarming other teams with versatile depth and shooting stroke that would make Klay proud.
Steph Curry on the 8-2 Warriors
“It’s good momentum. Not trying to ride the emotional roller coaster of people trying to declare who we are as a team…We remember last year how we had a good start (6-1) and then the wheels fell off a little bit.” pic.twitter.com/owCmUEuuGD
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 12, 2024
Regardless of the wonderful welcome Klay’s going to receive, this night will be remembered. But there’s a strong chance it will be most remembered as the day that thereigning Western Conference from Dallas realized that these Golden State Warriors ain’t quite dead just yet, Klay or no Klay.