Who do you think feels the loss of Klay Thompson from the Warriors the deepest? Yes, you guessed it right, it’s Stephen Curry. After 11 years of storming the court together, the Splash Brothers will now watch each other from more than 1731 miles away and occasionally from the opposite side of the court.
After months of tug-of-war with the franchise, the final offer from the Warriors made it clear to Thompson that it was time to move out of the Bay Area. Since their rookie year, Thompson and Curry created a backcourt so potent that it changed the game forever. Sure they won 4 championships in 11 seasons but reaching the magic number 5 would’ve been a fulfilling moment for the duo. But now that is beyond a possibility.
To express his soul-tearing state, Curry posted a series of pictures on his Instagram story with a heartfelt message. After the Picturization of their journey together, the 36-year-old wrote, “Gonna miss you @klaythompson.. Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and @money23green. Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”
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In the photo dump posted by Curry, moments from their rookie year to their FIBA Gold Medal wins to their numerous championship celebrations, nothing was overlooked. A big part of the Warriors dynasty, Draymond Green was also in numerous snaps. The three musketeers of San Francisco built the Dubs house from the ground and that is something each of them takes pride in. There was still a chance of the trio surviving the bitter split but Thompson wanted to things play out on their own.
Klay Thompson reportedly requested Stephen Curry not to use his influence
If it was under Steph’s control, he would’ve retired alongside Thompson when the time came. Curry even wanted to influence the Warriors front office but Klay Thompson refused his intervention. Yes, this shocking revelation came to the fore after Thompson’s exit thanks to the Athletic’s, Anthony Slater. On the Morning Roast show, Slater revealed that it was Thompson who talked Steph out of getting involved in the negotiation. “I was told that Klay requested of Steph, ‘Don’t exert your influence. Don’t demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own],'” Slater told on 95.7 The Game Radio.
"I was told that Klay requested of Steph, 'Don't exert your influence. Don't demand that they do right by me financially. I want them to, want to [do that on their own]'"@anthonyVslater on Klay Thompson's divorce from the #Warriors (@MorningRoast957)
📻https://t.co/hohFc8GBg4 pic.twitter.com/olCCmkl5Un
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 2, 2024
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In 2023, Draymond received a $100 million extension, so understandably from Klay Thompson’s point of view, he was the next in line. But the offer never came. After dallying over it for a year, there was only one decision left to be made and Thompson chose it. According to reports, Klay Thompson was a man with pride and that caused trouble behind the scenes, but there was no noise about it until he left. Stephen Curry on the other hand is tied to a contract till 2025/26 and will possibly see himself retiring on the West Coast. However, even he knows deep down that when the franchise will need a clutch 3 in game 6 of a playoff game, they’ll only find a Klay Thompson-sized void echoing through the Chase Center.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video
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