Outside of winning championships and becoming one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all time, Klay Thompson was often happiest on the Warriors when he was on the water — driving his sport fishing boat across the bay to practice or games.
Thompson, who became an icon in the Bay Area after winning four championships in eight years, left this summer for uncharted waters in Dallas. Injuries, the mental aspect of reckoning with his basketball mortality, and the weight of dealing with a lesser role drove him to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Thompson remains one of the Bay Area’s favorite sons. And he’s returning on Nov. 12 to one of the most creative welcomings in NBA history.
Most teams embrace a former player when they return with a tribute video. They might give away a themed shirt or towel as well. The Warriors are doing that, to be sure, but are also tailoring the night toward Thompson’s aquatic adventures by handing out a captain’s hat to every fan in attendance, playing a special pregame tribute video and clearing out for Steph Curry to say a few words. Employees also plan on greeting Thompson by saluting their caps to him when he arrives at the Chase Center.
“This might be the most emotional, impactful homecoming that will ever happen,” Warriors president and chief operating officer Brandon Schneider said. “Not just for the Warriors, but for anybody, given the history that he’s had. We spent quite a bit of time thinking about the proper way to honor Klay Thompson.”
The team is encouraging fans to arrive early for the anticipated matchup between the Mavericks and Warriors at the Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. for the NBA Cup in-season tournament game, right after a special pregame salute.
Thompson spent the first 13 years of his career with the Warriors. The fan base fell in love with his eclectic personality and fierce competitiveness. He reached the highest of mountaintops and back-to-back catastrophic injuries sunk him to the lowest of nadirs — only for him to pull himself up, lead the league in 3-pointers and help Golden State to a fourth title.
As a Warrior, Thompson set the single-game 3-point record. He scored an iconic 37-point quarter. He saved the Warriors with 11 3s in Game 6 of the 2016 conference final. He dropped 60 points in 29 minutes.
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Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
