Klay Thompson Thanks Kobe Bryant For Inspiring Him To Comeback And Be The Athlete He Is: “I Read Mamba Mentality Everyday In Rehab”

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Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson has had an incredible return to the NBA after consecutive debilitating injuries that left him sidelined for over two years. Klay tore his ACL in 2019 during the Finals against the Toronto Raptors. Just as he headed from that injury, he would tear his Achilles in the 2020 pre-season and would miss another season.

Thompson returned in January 2022 and picked up right where he left off, being an integral part of the 2022 Golden State Warriors championship-winning squad. While it wasn’t the same old Klay we knew prior to the injury, he was just as lethal and had the same propensity to go on scorching shooting streaks.  

Thompson was awarded the ESPY for Comeback of the Year for his achievements this season and thanked Kobe Bryant during his speech for helping him become the athlete that he is and motivating him to work through rehab. 

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1549951774437416960

“The best memories I had growing up in Southern California was coming to STAPLES with my father. I have had a privileged life, my dad was a commentator for the Lakers. I’d go to every game early just to watch Kobe do his thing. I’d like to thank the Bryant family. I don’t know if Vanessa is out there watching, but I’d like to thank Vannessa and her three kids. We think of Kobe and Gigi every day. I read Mamba Mentality every day during rehab, those were the best memories, watching him play. He inspired me to be the athlete I am today.”

Kobe was a mentor to many and saw Klay grow up around the Lakers when Mychal Thompson served as a commentator for the team. 

Watching greatness in action wasn’t lost on Klay, who eventually competed against Kobe and won a championship in 2015 before Kobe had even retired. This was a heartwarming shout-out to a legend and a mentor. 

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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