Klay Thompson, now with the Dallas Mavericks, recently sparked a stir in the NBA community by sharing a nostalgic Instagram post praising Reggie Miller as the greatest shooter of all time. While honoring Miller, Thompson seemed to indirectly snub his former Golden State Warriors teammate, Stephen Curry, who is widely recognized as the best shooter in basketball history. The post read:
“One of my favorite memories along this journey was working out for the Knicks in June 2011, and Donnie Walsh told me how much I reminded him of Reggie. That meant the world to me and inspired me to never stop shooting. Salute to the greatest to ever shoot it! Thanks for the blueprint OG!”
This statement, though celebratory of Miller, stood out as a notable omission of Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. While Thompson has often been vocal about his admiration for Miller, his latest comments have left fans speculating whether there might be lingering tension between him and Curry following Thompson’s departure from Golden State.
The Instagram post came shortly after Thompson surpassed Reggie Miller on the all-time three-pointers made list during a Christmas Day game. With 2,561 made threes, Thompson moved into fifth place, a significant accomplishment for the 34-year-old sharpshooter.
Thompson’s connection to Miller predates his NBA career. As a teenager, he once met Miller during a recruiting visit to Pepperdine University, where the Hall of Famer gave him a lesson in ping-pong and left a lasting impression. This bond likely explains Thompson’s enduring reverence for Miller.
Despite Thompson’s celebration of Miller, there’s no denying Stephen Curry’s supremacy in three-point shooting. Curry revolutionized the game with his unparalleled shooting range and efficiency.
With 3,849 made threes on 9,053 attempts, Curry’s career three-point percentage of 42.5% solidifies his place atop the pantheon of shooters. He surpassed Miller’s career total nearly four years ago and eclipsed Ray Allen’s record three years ago, cementing his status as the greatest shooter in NBA history.
Thompson’s failure to acknowledge Curry, who was instrumental in shaping his career alongside him at Golden State, raised eyebrows. Some speculate it could stem from a competitive or emotional rift after Thompson’s move to the Mavericks.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Draymond Green recently revealed on his podcast that Klay “ghosted” Curry before their first-ever matchup as rivals this season. While Green downplayed any bad blood, he acknowledged that staying in touch with Thompson can be challenging, noting his former teammate’s introverted nature.
Regardless of Klay’s sentiments, the debate over the greatest shooter leaves little room for doubt. While Miller laid the groundwork for modern sharpshooters, Curry has taken the art of shooting to an unprecedented level. His ability to create shots off the dribble, coupled with his efficiency and range, sets him apart from every other shooter in NBA history.
As Thompson continues to climb the all-time list, fans will watch closely to see if his public statements shed light on his evolving relationships with his peers, particularly Curry. For now, Thompson’s tribute to Miller, while heartfelt, serves as a curious omission of the teammate who many believe redefined basketball’s shooting era.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
