4x NBA Champion Klay Thompson Confesses Kobe Bryant Changed His Life With One Word

Klay Thompson, one half of the Splash Brothers, is widely regarded as one of the NBA?s greatest three-point shooters. Thompson entered the league as a Golden State Warriors rookie. From being the Warriors? 11th overall pick to winning 4 NBA championships, Thompson has really come a long way.

Thompson credits his success to none other than basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Thompson admits to Bryant?s influence on his game and says that the Los Angeles Lakers legend inspired him with a single word.

Kobe Bryant had one word for Klay Thompson

On an episode of Podcast P with Paul George, Klay Thompson recalls a conversation with Kobe Bryant that had a lasting effect on his life. Klay Thompson says he was awestruck when he first played against Bryant. Guarding the 5x NBA champion was a dream come true for Thompson or as he puts it, ?…those were the good old days.?

As a rookie, Thompson just wanted to get in the game and have people notice him. When asked if the legendary Laker ever said anything to help him get through the initial rough phase, Thompson replied, ?He didn?t even have to tell me ?it was one word, all he said was ?sup and that?s all I needed to hear ?it was my favorite memory with Kobe, all he said was one word??

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But during the NBA global games in 2013, a jet-lagged Klay Thompson was hitting the gym. He was on the bench lifting weights when he felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Klay Thompson’s gym motivation

When Thompson turned around, he couldn?t believe what he saw. It was the GOAT himself. Bryant with his hood on greeted Thompson with a ??sup? before he scuttled to another corner of the gym.?

Kobe Bryant later recalled this encounter during an interview on his 2016 retirement tour. Thompson recalls what Bryant has said, ?I knew Klay would be good when I saw him in the weight room.?

This was inspiration enough for young Thompson. The Warrior worked hard during his initial years in the league hoping Bryant would notice him. And without even knowing, Thompson created a lasting impression on the legend.?

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All Bryant said was ??sup? but for Thompson, it meant everything. Sharing the gym with Kobe Bryant and feeding off each other?s energies was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Thompson. The Warrior thinks about it every time he has a rough night and that?s the Kobe Bryant effect!