Klay Thompson took part in Rico Hines’ latest runs and at the end of the sessions, had some valuable advice to share with the young hoopers present. Thompson stressed to them the importance of playing for the love of the game and never losing one’s joy.
“Man, don’t let anybody take your joy,” Thompson said. “Y’all play in a crazy era where everyone got something to say. Parents, coaches, internet trolls all that. Just ignore all that s*** and remember why you play this game. Stay present… work on your craft everyday and focus on the little things and you’ll get the most out of your ability and you get to play basketball for a living.
“There’s really no better job in the world, because the real world is b*******,” Thompson continued. “Enjoy this to the fullest, especially being young and healthy. Take pride in your game always and don’t let anyone take your joy. Remember why you play this game, it’s for the love of the game, not because you want to get all the things that come with it, but for the love of the game and I promise you, you’ll make the most out of your ability.”
As Thompson pointed out, all these youngsters are coming up in a crazy era thanks to social media. There’s a lot of negativity online and in society, in itself, and it is very easy for someone to lose that joy if they get caught up in it. One must tune out all the outside noise and focus on themselves and their games, in order to have success.
Thompson has first-hand experience of all that negativity. As the five-time All-Star struggled on the court last season for the Golden State Warriors, he was subjected to a lot of ridicule. It’s what happens to anyone who doesn’t perform up to standard and the key is to not pay attention to any of it. It’s not easy by any means, but it’s what needs to be done.
Klay Thompson Was Reportedly Miserable Last Season
Thompson appeared to have lost a lot of that joy last season with the Warriors. He often cut a frustrated figure and following his departure to the Dallas Mavericks, we found out just how bad things had gotten. NBA insider Ramona Shelburne reported that Thompson was miserable in his final season with the Warriors.
“Over the past year, Thompson has been relatively easy to read. He was “miserable,” as one person close to him said. Miserable with how negotiations with the team had gone on a new contract,” wrote Shelburne. “Miserable at the thought he wasn’t respected or valued by the franchise in the way his older Splash Brother, Stephen Curry, 36, and Draymond Green, 34, were. Miserable at his declining role on the team. And yes, miserable at the way his game and play had declined, as well.”
Thompson ended that miserable final season with averages of 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He looked like a shell of his former self toward the end of it, and we now wait to see how much he benefits from a change in his surroundings.
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