Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has had a sluggish start to the season. With an average of 12.6 points per game, Thompson?s performance this season has been subpar. This has given critics like Charles Barkley an opportunity to criticize Thompson?s on-court display. Charles Barkley?s comments, in particular, earned no appreciation from Thompson and his teammates.

Two back-to-back injuries resulted in Thompson spending 941 days away from the basketball court and joining his team towards the latter half of the 2021-22 season. The veteran guard ended the season with a field goal percentage of 42.9 aiding his team to their fourth NBA title despite these injury-prone hurdles.

Klay Thompson breaks his silence

Klay Thompson has always been authentic and open while expressing his feelings and opinions. With a tinge of pain in his voice, he responded to Barkley?s “not the same guy” and “slipping” comments.

?It hurts when someone like Charles Barkley, with the platform he has, says you’re not the same player as before the injuries you had. It’s like, no duh, man,? Thompson said during a press conference.

“I tore my ACL and my Achilles in consecutive years and still helped a team win a championship. I mean, that hurt hearing that. Because it’s like, man, I put in so much freaking effort to get back to this point. Like, it’s hard to even put into words what I had to do to be the player I am today,? he added.

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For Thompson, these comments are going to fuel him to simply be better. In fact, the Dubs guard promised to work hard this season and target a fifth championship ring for the defending champions

The Splash Brother’s Support

Shortly after the game against the Heat, Klay received support from his Splash Brother Steph Curry. “It’s interesting because certain guys forget what their careers looked like on the back end.? said Curry during an interaction with the press.

In this pivotal moment of his career, support from Curry will surely serve as inspiration from Thompson. The Warriors will need the Slash Bros at peak potential to defend their title this season.

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The season has just begun. Klay Thompson?s fortunes can turn. The NBA world has seen the havoc Klay can cause when he explodes. His coach and Warrior fans believe that this day is right around the corner.