LAS VEGAS – Before answering questions Saturday, USA Basketball men’s senior national team coach Steve Kerr said he wanted to talk about Klay Thompson.
“I just want to thank Klay Thompson, 13 great years, 10 of those being there for what he did for this team, for this Bay Area organization and for me personally, the relationships he built and the great success we had. But more importantly, it was so meaningful and amazing that we went through all of it together. Klay will be missed,” Golden State Warriors head coach Kerr said.
After winning four championships with Golden State and coach Kerr, Thompson left the Warriors as a free agent to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.
“I wish him the best,” Kerr said. “It doesn’t often go the way you expect it to, where you come up with a plan, execute it and everyone walks out the door together. We hoped it would, but it didn’t. I wish Clay the best, but we love him and we’re going to miss him.”
Thompson won titles with Golden State in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 and, along with former teammate Stephen Curry, was a key player in the league’s 3-point revolution. After being selected 11th overall in the 2011 draft, he spent 13 seasons with the Warriors, averaging 19.6 points and shooting 41.3% from the 3-point line during his time with the Warriors.
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Kerr said Thompson’s departure hasn’t completely shocked him yet, but he expects it will come as training camp begins and the Warriors are without him.
“Clay and I have spoken recently about his decision and been able to share some things and he has explained his feelings to me very well,” Carr said. “So I completely understand that sometimes change happens in life. No matter what profession you’re in, it’s just a fresh start. Sometimes you just need a change. I think that’s all it is. That’s the easiest explanation.”
“But I can’t sit here in July with nothing going on and talk about my emotions. Normally you don’t see Klay (in the summer). Nobody has seen him for three months. And then he’s there on media day, the first day of camp, and we catch up. So it’s going to feel weird not having him on media day.”
Kerr said he looks forward to the day the Warriors retire Thompson’s jersey number and install a statue of him outside Chase Center.
“He will always be loved by his teammates, his coaches and our fans,” Kerr said. “It’s never easy, but I think it will all work out.”
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