KLAY: “seeing that Warriors fan standing by his lonesome up in the 300 level, repping 11…grateful”

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[@LetsGoWarriors]

0:00  I guess get bigger question out of the way earlier. Just how do you view your future with the Warriors, heading into this offseason that feels obviously pretty unknown -? KLAY THOMPSON EXIT INTERVIEW: “We don't want to talk about the season first? You want to talk about the future? There's a lot of games played, man. That was a pretty big accomplishment. But y'all not wanting to live in the present, bro. It's ridiculous. Anyways, what was your question?” About the future. I mean, obviously it's a pretty major topic. I mean, you're a franchise legend here who is an unrestricted free agent and certainly at this point has an unknown future here. I mean, how confident are you that you'll be back? “To be honest, I really haven't given it much thought because of what I previously just said about the season we had, and how much commitment it takes to play the games we did and give it our all. So I really haven't thought about that deep in the future because I still need to process the year we had and it was one filled with ups and downs, but ultimately we - I personally and our team - did everything we could to try and win as many games we possibly could, living in the present.” 1:25 What were some things going through your head last night when you're walking off the court? I know you lingered there a little bit longer than usual after the game. “Some of the things going through my head? Hmm. Well, the first one was just disappointment because to not shoot the ball well, obviously big old donut. So that wasn't very fun. I did look up in the nosebleeds though, and I did see a man wearing a number 11 jersey that made me happy, considering my history in Sacramento from playing a state championship there to playing the Kings in the playoffs. That was kind of a full-circle moment for me. So that was actually a good moment. Just seeing that Warriors fan standing by his lonesome up in the 300 level. Repping 11. That made me grateful.” 2:29 Klay, Steph, Draymond and Steve all basically said they want you back. They want to keep this thing rolling. What does it mean to you to hear that from those guys, and you probably already knew it, but what does it mean to hear that from those guys telling the public that? “It means a lot. I mean, we've been through the highest of highs and lows. Whether it's losing a championship, winning a championship, missing the playoffs, we've been through everything together, so that does mean a lot, and makes me grateful to have the times I've had with them, like, done some pretty historic stuff.” 3:11 How do you view the next several weeks going? And I mean, it's clear like you're not necessarily ready to think about the future at this moment, but how quickly do you think you're going to have to kind of pivot and figure that out? And what conversations do you feel like you need to have? “Well, considering it's April 17th. I don't think I have to pivot that quickly. When's free agency? July 1st? Yeah. Got some time. Got some time.” 3:45 Klay, what do you think is the biggest lesson that you learned this past season? “The biggest lesson that I learned? Probably I learned that you got to take - can't be a front runner. You can't shy away from the bad moments and just embrace the great ones. You’ve got to embrace them all. That's for any thing you do in life.” 4:16 Klay, that was kind of along what I was going to ask, but what kind of growth did you see in yourself this season, specifically with different roles? You had some ups and downs, and you shined and came back from some tough stretches and came off the bench and started, and you did a little bit of everything. “Yeah, I think I learned that the best ability is availability, and I thought I did that very well this season, playing through tough times or being available almost nightly, only missing a handful of games. So, I learned that when you give yourself that shot of being out there every night, that's the best thing you can do for yourself, rather than just hanging on to those big scoring nights or whatever. It's about just competing nightly.” 5:15 Were there any breakthroughs for you emotionally, with just everything you went through and just being able to handle everything you went through? “Yeah, I mean, I'm a strong person. You don't take a couple years off injury and come back and play that many games without being strong-willed and -minded. So that's what I did learn about myself is that it takes a lot of mental fortitude to play through injury and yeah, shooting slumps, all that. It takes a lot of willpower.” 5:59 You’ll have time to obviously think about what you want to do next, but what do you want to prioritize, for yourself, kind of moving forward? What are your priorities? “Obviously you want to keep winning. I mean, when you've been a part of winning seasons, you don't really want to go away from that. So I would like to win again. One for the thumb would be nice. I still think it's in reach. Just gonna, yeah, take a huge effort. But other than that, just gotta think about that.” 6:37 What will really make you happy in the last few years of your career? You just talked about kind of living the moment, the best ability being availability. You played 77 games this year. What are you most proud about for this season? “That amount of games I played and yeah, averaging, whatever, 18 points and playing 77 games. It's not my career averages, but still pretty dang good for - yeah, it's still pretty dang good.” 7:12 Klay last night, Draymond was saying that he doesn't see any scenario in which the ownership group of this team doesn't at least put forth the effort to take 10 years. Do you feel that kind of effort and love specifically in this scenario, but then also over, I mean, I guess since your entire career here, but since 2019 going through the injuries, extension after that, just that they've put in that effort to make you guys and you feel appreciated. “Oh, man. Well, 2019. Well, could you imagine if they didn't pay me after I got hurt? That would have been really bad. Like, ‘Oh, with the five straight finals, you blew your knee out. Yeah, sorry.’ So no, I mean, that was very nice of them. I mean, I try. I mean, every year I give my best effort and ownership group has been great. I have nothing but positive things to say about them. They treat us with great respect and do all the little things for us to do our jobs at the highest level, so it's been, I mean, I don't really know how to answer that. I mean, it's up to them, but at the end of the day, whatever happens, it’s all gravy. It's been such a freaking special run.” 8:49 Klay, how much is your appreciation and love for the game grown, especially since the two injuries? Thinking about that first game, you came back here at Chase Center to where we are today. “Yeah, it was one of the best moments of my life, to be honest. Before those injuries, I was really naive and thinking like, this is easy. Like, all I got to do is do your routine and you just go out there and hoop. And yeah, it's that easy. But playing that many years of basketball takes a toll on your body, and I think that's for any sportsman who plays a physical sport. There's going to be times where you might break, and like I said before about being a front-runner, you don't want to be a front-runner when things are great. You gotta really dig deep when you go through injuries like that. That's just a part of the beast…that you've proven you’re still a quality scorer in this league.” 9:49 Obviously teams are playing you differently. It looks like they're pressing up on you being physical. How have you had to adjust and moving forward? What do you think you need to do to kind of combat how teams are going to guard you? “I think I just need to keep doing what I've been doing. Honestly, I think last night was just a bad shooting night. I mean, it happens. Unfortunately, it was in a one-game format, but that's the situation we were in and much different than a seven-game series. So I just thought I had an off-night from the office. Can't let that deter me from what I think of myself or what I'm capable of. I think I just need to continue to be in great shape and have fun and the rest and I'll be great.” 10:39 Klay, you've talked about gratitude for just playing basketball and obviously the connection with Draymond and Steph comes up a lot, but how much do you also sort of view that this organization, your connection with Steve, I mean, he's the only coach you've had. You talked about how the conversations with him this year that helped turn your season around, beyond just Steph and Draymond, how comfortable are you in this organization? How does that sort of shape any decision this offseason? “Played for Mark Jackson, too. And yeah, I mean, I love everyone here from the security who does the floor at the games to the security from the Oracle days. I'm still friends with them, to the community of Oakland. I mean, yeah, I grew up in the Bay Area. Really, I've been here since I was 21. And I just always - I've loved it. E. Housen, even Ray Ridder. I've gotten to know those people on a way deeper level than just work life. So it is a really cool place to be.” [👇continued in Reply Comment below👇]

[@LetsGoWarriors]

11:57 You missed obviously more than two years. And when you came back, I mean, looking back now, did you put maybe too much on yourself and maybe raise your expectations too high when you came back, given what you've gone through? “I don't think so. So when I came back, you know, I was a second-leading scorer on a championship team. When you've experienced that, you're like, ‘I'm back.’ Then even that next year, led the league in threes, 41 percent from three, like on 300 makes, that's very hard to do. So the moments were there, but maybe my burst wasn't what it was and that happens, but at the end of the day, I still feel like I can do it at a very high level. And I did have times where I did - obviously the way it ended this year, wasn't what it was last couple of years - but I'm not gonna let one sour night or year ruin a decade plus of great work and success.” 13:07 You've mentioned a couple of times, learning about not being a front-runner. Could you elaborate on that? And is that like a personal thing? Is that a team thing? Could you just explain a little bit more? “That's more of a personal thing. You sulk, you pout when you're not shooting up to your expected splits. And I think I did better with that this year. Just trying to exude great body language at all times and think deeper than just stats, think about your love for the game and why you do play this game. And you know, at times I have been a frontrunner in the past when things don’t go my way, I might point the finger rather than just take ownership for your situation. So that's what I've learned. And I try to pass it down to younger athletes because when you do great things over and over and you keep that high level of confidence and attitude in a great space, they'll eventually work out for you and you'll have no regrets when it's all said and done.” 14:09 Klay, you were talking just now about the appreciation for everyone in the franchise, from security to all the way to the top. I wonder, can you take me back to when you were drafted, what your thoughts were then, and what the hopes were for your NBA career, and what you've been able to do, taking us back? “Oh, man. Uh, wow. Back in 2011, June of 2011, when I got drafted by the Dubs, that was probably the moment, at that time, best moment of my life, just because the NBA was always a dream, being able to be close to home. You know, I have family in Oregon and in Southern California, so that made it even more special. And then, yeah, all the moments that have led me here, it's been awesome, like I couldn't have ever dreamt of what we've been able to do and, well, we can still do so. We've elevated this team into a global club. And I mean, who saw that coming 20 years ago?” 15:07 Oh, hi, Klay. So do you want to say anything to the DubNation, the fans around the whole world who supported you all the time? “That's actually a great segue from my global brand talk. Yeah, we love you guys and thank you for your unconditional support these last 10 years. It doesn't go unnoticed that there are Warrior fans across the globe from China to Tokyo to South America to Europe. I've seen Warrior fans everywhere I've went and it always makes me feel good, is what I'm trying to say.” 16:01 Two quick ones. It looks like you got kind of a fat lip. Was that from the game last night? “Yeah. That is correct.” You mentioned a few years left. How much are you viewing your next contract as your last one or where are you at the bigger picture future? “Maybe. I don't know when that time comes. I mean, I'm not trying to put a expiration date on my career. That's kind of something you just go by feel.”

[@db3042]

I love klay, he did what he was supposed to do in the NBA!!!! Period...

[@lisawilliams376]

Klay is a legend. Warriors have got rid of too many players for crap like payton, paul etc. let go of so many that filled bench as great back up. Klay is a Warrior...forever

[@SandauxBeats]

Maaaan it would be so great if Klay, Steph and Dray will retire altogether someday from one team. I could imagine these three will announce it at Chase Center. Side by side. Not even Duncan, Parker and Ginobili did that kind of retirement.

[@LucasCBC]

I imagine if Klay wants to keep going, this offseason is going to be key! Hope he has a helthie one. Ggs

[@delaineduffey]

I would absolutely love to see Klay & the Golden State Warriors win a 5th chip. But good God Jesus Christ I really want Damian Lillard to get his first!!!!!!