The image we often associate with championship teams-regardless of sport or league-is one of camaraderie, unity, and unwavering brotherhood. However, as Klay Thompson recently revealed, dynasties are almost always forged through friction, disputes, and the occasional harsh word. That doesn’t make them any less remarkable.
Everyone remembers the Golden State Warriors of the 2010s-a team that reached six NBA Finals in eight seasons, winning four of them. Led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Thompson was an integral part of that run from 2011 until his departure last year to the Dallas Mavericks.
While the team radiated talent and brotherhood on the court, Thompson acknowledged that behind the scenes, tensions and even hard fouls during practice were part of the grind. That, he says, is simply the reality of chasing championships.
Klay Thompson’s revelations
In a recent appearance on the Showtime w/Coop podcast with Michael Cooper, Thompson opened up about the less glamorous side of the Warriors‘ decade-long dominance.
“For us there, there have been a lot of scuffles. There have been a lot of bad words said and feelings hurt,” admitted the star shooting guard.
Though championship banners now hang proudly at Chase Center, Thompson doesn’t shy away from the messy moments that helped earn them. “There were times there would be friction between Draymond [Green] and me, or Stephen [Curry] and me, or Coach and me,” he recalled.
But ultimately, that’s part of being a team. “It’s just a part of it, and you grow from it. You’ve got to be man enough to leave that on the court and be professional about it.” A candid admission that underscores the emotional resilience required to win at the highest level.
Thompson’s departure from the Warriors
At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Warriors made the difficult decision to part ways with Thompson. He signed with the Mavericks that offseason, but Golden State gave him a send-off worthy of a legend.
“Klay’s legacy will live on forever, and we look forward to the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join a host of Warriors immortals,” the team said in a statement following his departure.
Now, with his trademark candor, Thompson admits it wasn’t all smooth sailing-but that’s life. And in the end, the scars are just part of the story.
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