As Klay Thompson prepares for his first season with the Mavericks, he took some time to discuss the realities of life with the younger generation. In a viral video, Klay is seen offering words of wisdom to a circle of young mentees.
“Fall in love with this s**t. It does not last forever,” said Klay. “This s**t goes by so quick. As you get longer in your career, you’ll notice guys you came in with, it’s tough to stick. Enjoy this s**t as much as you can… Money and all that s**t is cool, but the fact that you get to do something you love for a living. There’s not a better feeling.”
Klay Thompson to the younger generation:
“At the end of the day, the money and all that sh*t is cool, but the fact you get to do something you love for a living, there’s not a better feeling. I promise.”
(via theguardwhisperer/IG) pic.twitter.com/iILrzarNAK
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) August 14, 2024
Thompson, 34, is speaking from experience to the crowd of youngsters. After 11 years with the Warriors, the 5x All-Star is now at a crossroads in his career. He became a legend with the Golden State Warriors and cemented his legacy as an icon of the sport. But after a series of rough seasons with the team, Klay decided to leave it all behind in favor of a fresh start somewhere else.
At one point, the NBA sharpshooter was a celebrity on the Warriors and his status was akin to royalty during the height of their run from 2015-2018. Alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and (later) Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson thrived with the Warriors and he helped deliver four championships to make history with the franchise.
With major achievements and at least $266.2 million banked over his career, Klay Thompson was at the peak of the NBA experience and he got to enjoy all of the luxuries of prolonged success in the league. Even when he suffered two season-ending injuries in back-to-back years, the Warriors remain loyal to their guy for all of the great moments he made possible.
Sadly, nothing lasts forever and Thompson found that out the hard way. After coming back from injury and helping lead the Warriors to another championship in 2022, things got sour between Klay and his longtime team. His game took a sharp decline in recent years and things got so bad that he was relegated to a bench role in favor of rookie guard, Brandin Podziemski.
As tension increased between Klay, Steve Kerr, and the rest of the team, negotiations were going south between Klay and the front office. Klay was hoping to secure a long-term deal for the max, but the Warriors were only willing to offer a two-year, $40 million deal.
So after having his salary and role reduced, Klay ultimately decided to start a new chapter, away from the Warriors and with the Mavericks. Alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson hopes to relive the glory days of his past and help his new team make history as the ultimate winners.
In the Wild West, the task will certainly not be easy but if Klay can stay healthy and recapture some of his old game, it could be enough to give the reigning West champions an edge in the next fight. No matter what happens, Klay is going to enjoy every moment and not take for granted the new opportunities he has.
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