Inside Klay Thompson's epic comeback to become the player he used to be | ESPN Cover Story

For this ESPN Cover Story, senior writer Ramona Shelburne talks with Thompson about his personal journey back from injuries to the NBA Finals with the Warriors, how that time away has shaped his approach going forward, and life outside of basketball.
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[@ZT2783]

I love Klay for this. To see the humanity in basketball makes me so excited! Rooting for him to have even moments that remind him he's still great.

[@Iamtongue]

this dude is so likeable, wish nothing but the best for this dude.

[@javathehut3593]

he use to be likable now him a steph are arrogant but then I again I didn't like them anyways after they cried and begged kd to join them after they blew a 3-1 lead

[@exposingnova915]

@@javathehut3593 ong

[@d444nnyy]

@@javathehut3593 how are they arrogant lol and that was draymond real life crying to kd

[@javathehut3593]

@@d444nnyy so steph and klay had nothing to do with KD going to the warriors

[@thebestever160]

Gimpy Klay is "likable" because he's cornier than 6 supermarket aisles full of corn flakes combined

[@LetsGoWarriors]

Let’s go Klay 🛥💛💙 can’t wait for our livestream during the get-back game tonight!

[@granpaking7570]

It really broke my heart when I heard about Klay Thompson injuries imagine the excitement and joy to see him come back home to see him back on the court once again

[@Oioisavaloy]

Steph and Klay are cemented in history as the GOAT of shooters, backcourts and all round inspirations! 🖤🏀🎯

[@talentedmrflowers]

Much love for this brother

[@pinheadlarry3992]

He's not the same player anymore and he probably won't get back to what he used to be. No one can blame Klay for not being the same player he used to be, i mean he had 2 career-ending injuries so him still playing is still a miracle in itself. The sooner Klay accepts that the sooner he can adapt to what he's able to do now instead of focusing on "being the same player he used to be."

[@salotanania124]

Lol y'all seen his last three games?

[@bakedscience6888]

Feel for my dude. Klay time!

[@kodas_face]

God i love Klay, what a humble human being he is ❤

[@willg8414]

Say what you will about the player, but how could possibly not love this man

[@raghurajaram700]

i love how klay is just a huge kid

[@BigBen1994]

The season Klay returns they win the chip, enough said for his meaning to the warriors. 💪🏾💯🔥

[@TeamDaemon1980]

Klay has always been my favorite Warrior because of his kooky personality. He'll always be an OC guy growing up in Rancho Santa Margarita.

[@andreslol.]

Look at KLAY MAN SO INSPIRATIONAL

[@iloveGod1105]

This man is AMAZING!!! 💛💙🤍

[@dcdj35]

Real easy player to root for. Legend. They win in 2019, without KD, if Klay doesn’t go down. The fact that they INSTANTLY won another title when he got back is dope.

[@only1you736]

Love this for Klay!💜

[@jdagreat4595]

Bruh pulls up on a boat 👌🏾. Man a real legend

[@KyleMillis]

All Warriors fans are stoked to have Klay back on the court! Past couple seasons (2020 & 2021) haven’t felt the same without him.

[@racheliblass6428]

Proud of u my guy

[@dillon2135]

Incredible.

[@changclan1]

We love Klay!! Go Warriors

[@Rickle_Pick23]

Awesome insight. Let us know when he gets there!

[@ah8064]

Love it. GO DUBS. ✨💙✨

[@_KITE]

I can't wait for you to have a new career high! We believe in you, Mr. Heat Check!

[@runbho710]

You will be waiting forever

[@chipelchipgandof7314]

@@runbho710yeah? You spoke too soon bud

[@DwayneIsK1NG]

Couldn't be happier for dude after that last championship. Came a looooong way

[@laughclips506]

The best warrior comeback story 🔥💥😎

[@ryankayombya7576]

3-1

[@laughclips506]

@@ryankayombya7576 you're talking about 2016😆

[@kjskjs52]

What a story~!! and he scores 41 today 👍👍👍

[@mikeslife2916]

People got to stop the hate on this man. Some people are just hasn't able to have empathy, especially on what he's been through man it's so saddening.

[@treydubs3]

I’m telling you , klay is gunna come back like before.. give him time. He had 2 career ending injuries back to back szns

[@Abdi_Gaming]

Klay Thompson averaged 20 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22 games in the 2022 playoffs. He won his fourth NBA championship. Klay got this still he will be fine. 5th ring incoming.

[@sfpreezy]

What? 😂 They’re below 500.

[@dipper5835]

@@sfpreezy Some teams even though they got a bad standing early on, you know they are still contenders. Warriors are one of them, even though jazz on top we all know they aren't contenders

[@sfpreezy]

@@dipper5835 He didn’t say they were contending. He predicted a championship. That’s plain delusion.

[@thebestever160]

there is no way Gimpy Klay will get close to those numbers. with one working leg & a vertical that's lower than a Corgi's, Gimpy Klay is giving Homeless State 10-3-3 for the season, tops

[@ernestdominicbuhangin3956]

LETS GO KLAY

[@brienmacgearailt7801]

I wish he could send me his rehab routine, I have both torn ACL and an Achilles tear. Itʻs killing me, just want to keep playing sports.

[@big1491]

Keep ah head up brudda'nem

[@ZrianFilms]

BAY AREA LEGEND.

[@jaymerano]

🔥💪

[@awsanaleryani4415]

Go get em

[@BigBen1994]

I remember going to a Tony Robbins event lol 🤣🤣 it's some wild self motivation but it kind of works.

[@neoreign]

Raptors fan, I hated when he got injured on that play. To this day I still can't even understand because no one hit him, he just landed awkwardly. It sucked, because I wanted us to beat them with him there. Glad he's back.

[@donbelledestiny5633]

Captain Klay!!

[@user-ik3qe5vl8t]

You look amazing

[@JD-xr3gi]

I don’t care how’s the future plays out, even if we go 0-41 on the road, I want to see this dude retire as a Warrior

[@tusaonga9146]

Yes he is even now

[@kindrainli4537]

USED TO BE: 35% FG 33% THREE

[@reneventura3681]

He’s not the same player anymore,don’t know what they’re talking about

[@hehel5163]

When, and where did he become that player again??? 🤔

[@tobiahpicard6882]

When and where did it say in the video that he was that player again?

[@tobiahpicard6882]

It’s talking about his journey back there, didn’t say he was there yet. You should really listen, it will help you in life….

[@hehel5163]

@@tobiahpicard6882 the title implies it genius, you seem to be the only one that doesn’t get it.

[@tobiahpicard6882]

@@hehel5163 no it doesn’t. The title implies that he’s on his way there.

[@tobiahpicard6882]

@@hehel5163 it says “to become the player he used to be” not that he “has become the player he used to be”

[@JJB1891]

Klay is riding his boat, ESPN is riding the clickbait boat

[@ctkimba]

Here klay ESPN showing you some love 😂😂😂

[@jesuswouldkilhimself]

Gotcha

[@allentrias1433]

Im telling you all just 80% of prime klay is all we need for the back to back to back... WARRIORS WARRIORS WARRIORS

[@jopeter488]

When you suffered an injury it will not affect the physical only but mentality also

[@Supermariohoops24]

Okay ESPN this is too far now... y'all just reporting fake news now. When Derrick Rose came back from 2 season-ending injuries and the next year put up 17-5-3 a game y'all said he was fried, but when Klay comes back and averaged 14 ppg on 35-33-75 splits now his comeback is "EPIC" lol I'm sick

[@jayplunks]

4 point less then his career? Curry, Poole, Wiggins on the floor. Oh and he help them win another Ring. Bulls were a defensive team. The 2 are FAR from the same.

[@Supermariohoops24]

@@jayplunks His splits are terrible, his defense is terrible, and somehow his ego is larger despite his clear regression. Klay is washed bud.

[@jayplunks]

@@Supermariohoops24 oh we moving the goal post now? Werent you talking numbers? Now its splits and defense? Yea the defense isnt the same. But can get better. Not as good as he last was but better

[@jackmayor3574]

"Player he used to be" I don't think he's as good as he was... he's still good though

[@Jblanco20S]

Game 6 Klay

[@itskajeric]

numbers dont lie

[@RunItBackWitLano]

He better go off tonight

[@endtimesthoughts7114]

"SEEING IT IS A RIGHTEOUS THING WITH GOD TO RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION TO THEM THAT TROUBLE YOU " !

[@heirrose1606]

ESPN Salespeople: Klay back to normal, check out his boat Actual NBA Analysts w/ working Eyeballs: Klay still not the same player

[@jec5647]

It happened to Penny Hardaway. You are great and then an injury changes your game forever. On top of that comes age. Time to take the high end and suggest coming off the bench so GS can develop their young player.

[@zioncouncil3197]

Song

[@TheRealZiggyB23]

He just dropped 40 on the rockets Klays back!!

[@S.c30]

איזו קבוצה עצומה אין אגו. כולם זזים הצידה כדי שלבריהם יצליחו. קבוצה עם תלכיד שחקנים למעלה מ 10 שנים. יאללה אליפות 5

[@cheldosarmiento2733]

Such an amazing man. Bottom line.

[@n.l793]

Klay needs reality check. He shot 35% fg in the Finals and he is doing this as well in this season. You are not the same guy anymore so stop whining and stop shooting bad shots.

[@jameslonghorn1015]

Klay shouldn’t be a starter anymore Poole has more of a affect just my opinion

[@benadek6703]

You say that now wait Till The playoffs

[@judyseager4450]

Nah mehe mai ka.pai great shooter for the warriors team past tense 😬 klayk keep in mind that the warriors team is not good enough 👎 🌹 🙏

[@ezgaming9310]

Dat my boo

[@4ktkaram395]

Sorry Klay but u will never be the same just accept ur wash Brodie u had a great career on super teams

[@gauthiersayarath4701]

hum hum hum

[@user-ix8lf6tm3c]

Klay is quite literally the reason the warriors have a losing record this season. He’s shooting 35% fg. Absolutely atrocious.

[@kevinkaskade9628]

I don't want to agree but it's facts

[@baoanh1247]

Hey,who are we talking bout A player have never shot less than 40% from 3s in his carrer beside the 2021 season with 38.5% when he only play 32 game after 2 years dealing with 2 most dangerous injury in sport. Sometime,people think they right and then later.MOMMY HIC HIC HE BULLY ME.why u not take back. I CAN'T MOMMY,THOSE STATS ARE REAL AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING BOUT THAT

[@universalnbacaptions5990]

Leave klay alone

[@MelloWyatt]

Klay will always be a dog for hitting those free throws and then running back on defense with a torn acl.

[@resistancetv5948]

Start building the statue😀

[@CalculatedKrazy]

I mean last szn during the regular szn when he came back his stats were good . The finals to now , not so good .

[@elementsk8erq]

y'all aint right

[@gottgaame]

If only Ben Simmons had this mentality

[@Acoolyoutubename]

The dude acts like he survived cancer. Got a max contract while rehabbing. Count yourself lucky.

[@Riylefreeman]

love klay so much but he is not that player ATM

[@TheHockeyjock10]

Love Klay but even he’d admit he’s nowhere close to what he used to be lmao

[@jessicabrown3184]

💓🫶💓🫶🔥

[@InvestBetter.]

I've seen his comeback, and the only thing that has been epic is his failure to produce in 2023 He's now a shell of his former self. He was better last season. It looks like his decline as a player is in full swing.😮‍💨 Understandable, but let's not give him flowers for how he's playing this season. He's been awful!

[@ron.mexico.]

I think we just found someone cornier than Drake 😂🤣

[@endtimesthoughts7114]

CURSES! WILL FOREVER BE UPON YOUR HEADS AND YOUR VOICES FOREVER!

[@anthonyfortunato9451]

Klay is an overall amazing player but to say he is back to old form this season is total BS. He is having a horrible year in terms of shotting % and he is a defensive liability. The warriors are 0-8 on the road and he is the main reason why. If Steph Curry doesn't droip 40+ then this team won't win a game.

[@WDC0]

They did this cause he cried in front of the media talking about Barkley 😂😂😂

[@thebestever160]

it's so ironic that the cover's subtitle is "Captain Comeback" because unless GIMPY KLAY's gimpy leg miraculously comes back to life & gets better, him playing with half of one (like he is now) is only allowing him to jump higher than a Corgi & makes him pretty much useless on defense SMH

[@jso19801980]

i love klay but he hasn't shot 50% in a single game this year

[@leandropares4579]

i like his drive...but he wont be the player he used to be....he will have to except it

[@makedredd299]

Hey Kaptain Klay the Lakers needs a Laser! 🏴‍☠️ 🦜 🥃

[@EeroHaapala69]

I like Klay but he’s not the player he used to be. More ill advised bricks and more saltiness on and off the court.

[@jasonvegan5761]

Klay needs to shave the beard and tighten up the hair if he wants to start looking like the Klay of old, right now he’s looking like Jackie Moon.

[@thanewmgm6746]

1st

[@therealbigboss101]

5th comment

[@touregarrett]

Fool is washed. Funny how everyone got all in their feels for what Barkley said, and Klay has done nothing but prove him right. He's nothing more than a inefficient chucker right now. He's doing the Warriors more harm than good.

[@touregarrett]

@JRCKFSH 1 game means nothing. It was against the worse team in the League, and one of the worse defensive as well. Every old and washed guy will have a good game here and there. As usual, folks overreact and think he's back after 1 game. 😆

[@peteredwards5298]

A boat is a perfect place for Klay because he’s WASHED

[@chapter23]

HAHHAHAHA

[@kevinvega1572]

He got his feelings hurt lol

[@reggiejacksonfan6823]

Hese not tho

[@nicktheswish]

75% front the free throw and 33% from 3 🤦‍♂️👎

[@joshc3898]

But he's not the player he used to be

[@phatch5444]

plays been milking this guy acts like he was a major contributor ti winning last year im tired of hearing it get back on the court and help the warriors win hes playing like trash.