Klay Thompson is returning to the Chase Center for the first time since signing with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. His father, Mychal Thompson, is positive about his son receiving a warm welcome. During his appearance on Willard and Dibs’ show on 95.7 The Game, he predicted how the night would go.
The former NBA star believes “They’ll give him a nice little tribute tonight and welcome him back and show him appreciation for all the years he spent up there.” However, once the game starts, Thompson will be another opponent for the Warriors.
He predicted that Draymond Green would stay true to his word and foul him. Mychal said, “Draymond’s gonna commit a flagrant foul on him.” Although he must’ve said in jest, there’s a possibility that we might get to witness that.
While it’s undeniable that Thompson has been one of the biggest stars for the franchise, he is no longer playing for the home team. The Warriors would hope that he has an off day at shooting. If that doesn’t work, Green can always take care of business as Mychal predicted.
Green has been hinting at taking a page out of the late, great Kobe Bryant’s book for the first matchup against Thompson. During a conversation with Sloane Knows on Warriors Media Day, he said, “I’m running through his chest. He’s my brother, but he not with us.” As per Green, his former teammate is now with the “ops” so, he can’t have any soft spot for him.
Draymond Green revealed why he’d run through Klay Thompson’s chest
During his conversation with Sloane Knows on Media Day, he was asked about his plans on guarding his former teammate. Green went on to recall an encounter before answering. He said, “I saw Klay in the gym this summer…He saw Travis and Travis came to me later that day and he was like, ‘I saw Klay, Klay was like, ‘Why y’all let the ops in the gym?’”
The banter continued the next day when Green and Thompson were in the gym again. “So, then the next day, I was at the gym and I saw Klay. He came up to me and I was talking to Kyrie [Irving], and he was like, ‘Kai, why you talking to the ops?’ So, I said he’s joking, but there’s some seriousness to this joke. So, I’mma run through his chest.”
Thompson was informed of Green’s comment during a conversation with Rachel Nichols. The former Warrior said he’ll get two free throws out of it, so, he isn’t worried. As for the experience of playing against his former teammates, he said that it’ll only be weird initially, and as soon as the game tips off, he’ll get in the zone.