For a 4x champion like Klay Thompson, he probably doesn’t have many regrets in his career. But in a recent sit-down on the ‘No Chill’ podcast with Gilbert Arenas, Thompson did provide some insight into one of the biggest regrets of his entire career.
Upon some reflection, Klay talked about the 2016 NBA Finals and noted the one moment in Game 7 that still haunts him to this day.
“That was a tough series. It’s still the biggest regret I have in my basketball career, switching that pick-and-roll with Steph with J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving. I can’t bring myself to watch that footage, it’s too uncomfortable. I can’t believe I gave him that switch. Now, Kyrie’s got one of the greatest shots in NBA history. Steph’s a great defender too, but man I can’t believe I conceded that switch.”
Seven years ago today, the Cavs came back from down 3-1 to beat the Warriors in the 2016 Finals.
Till this day, Klay Thompson can’t bear to watch Kyrie’s game winning shot.#ATSNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/IS1yrRhOAr
— All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) June 19, 2023
Of course, getting that switch was all part of the plan for the Cavs, who were about to pull off the first 3-1 series comeback in NBA Finals history. To this day, that performance from Kyrie (he finished with 26 points on 40% shooting from three) stands as one of the greatest in postseason history.
Had Klay managed to stick on Irving, that shot might have been a brick, and the entire course of NBA history would have been altered.
Steph Curry Says LeBron And Kyrie Were ‘Unbelievable’ In 2016 Run
The Dubs were up 3-1 in that series and had only lost 9 games through an 82-game season. Of course, they still lost the 2016 Finals, and Steph blames the greatness of LeBron and Kyrie almost as much as himself…
“‘16 was, you know, just an up and down crazy playoffs run, Finals. In the Finals, I think the wheels fell off and Kyrie and LeBron played unbelievable for three straight games,” said Stephen Curry. “I don’t think people talk about that part of it as much, it’s always like we all suck. We got beat, we didn’t lose. We got beat. So at the end of the day, when we all hosting our own podcast, and when I look across the room and see Kyrie and LeBron and Kawhi and Kyle Lowry, I’d be like, ‘yo, that was fun as hell, bro.’”
The Cavs haven’t won a title since that miraculous series, but that’s the kind of season that will never be forgotten. Today, all the Warriors are worried about now is what’s in front of them.
While much of their core is older and less durable, they still have the pieces they need to win it all and we already know that Klay is looking for redemption after this year’s loss to the Lakers. It shouldn’t be too long before they’re wearing the crown again.
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