SAN FRANCISCO – Klay Thompson doesn’t sound like a hero returning to the site of his greatest triumphs.
Talking to him about his first visit against Golden State at Chase Center, the Mavericks’ sharpshooter speaks more like he’s a bit embarrassed by all the hoopla and love that is fixing to be showered on him.
“It’ll be good to see people that you (bonded) with obviously,” Thompson said. “But to me, it’s just another regular season game in November. Obviously there are bigger implications – with the NBA Cup. So that’s what’s on my mind, to win that. It’d be fun to play for that title.”
What? Oh yeah. It is the Mavericks’ first game that’s part of the in-season tournament that is dubbed the NBA Emirates Cup. And, yes, Thompson said all that about the Cup with a completely straight face.
So there’s that.
But does Thompson expect some overwhelming emotions when he steps out in the place where he spent 13 years and helped win four NBA championships with Steph Curry, forming one of the most iconic duos in league history – the Splash Brothers?
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Basketball is basketball.”
Maybe, but the Warriors and their fans that have adored Thompson for so long are planning to uncork a true celebration for the 6-6 guard’s greatness. They are breaking out captain’s hats – a nod to Thompson’s passion for the water.
He sometimes would take his yacht out on San Francisco Bay and even dock it near the Chase Center when arriving for some games.
“I guess that’s a good thing for the fans,” Thompson said of the hats. “Kudos to that.”
Other than that, there was no gushing, no tug at the heartstrings and no real wistfulness in Thompson’s voice.
Just matter of fact answers to probing questions about his return, which will be nationally televised on TNT.
But others are a little more realistic about what the homecoming will be like for a guy who made 2,481 of his 2,510 three-pointers for the Warriors.
“It’s going to be emotional,” coach Jason Kidd said after the Mavericks’ 122-120 loss at Denver. “He’s won quite a few championships there. He helped build that organization to become a championship level team. Yes, it’s going to be emotional, tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday. Everything he’s done for their franchise and now to be walking in as a Mav, definitely the emotions will be high, but it’ll be fun.”
Thompson is so wildly popular in the Bay Area largely because fans could identify with him. He was out in the public eye more than most athletes. And he was human.
When he had two horrific leg injuries, which cost him two full seasons, the fan base hurt with him.
“The biggest thing is just the human aspect of emotions, they’re just going to be haywire,” said Kyrie Irving, who has made a trip back to former friendly environs a time or two. “You don’t know how to really feel because you’ve been in a routine with another team for a long period of time.
“You know everybody from upper management all the way down to security, you start reflecting on all those moments that you spend time with people that really want to win.
“Outside of that, I just think it’s about having fun and being able to look at your old fans in the face and thank them. And they thank you, too, in their own way.”
In that respect, it no doubt will be overwhelming for Thompson at some point. Tribute videos and hundreds of friends wanting to reunite and spend a minute or 10 talking about the good times all tend to be a bit draining.
“It’s handled differently by all of us,” Irving said. “Some people are very emotional. Some hide their feelings.”
Clearly, Thompson is falling into the latter category.
At least in the run-up to Tuesday’s love fest.
X: @ESefko
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