Klay Thompson may now be with the Dallas Mavericks, but when he reflects on his time with the Golden State Warriors, he doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the reality behind their glittering dynasty.
Sitting down with Michael “Coop” Cooper on Showtime w/ Coop, Thompson explained that sustaining greatness in the NBA is not just about talent and coaching. It’s about navigating the inevitable clashes that come with living, traveling, and competing alongside the same people for nearly a decade.
“Well, I mean, I already know y’all had some crazy crazy times, whether it be a practice or pickup in the summer. I mean, back then you guys were really squaring up and really throwing blows, and it might not have been as big a deal because the camera phone and these cameras weren’t around as prevalent as much.”
“So, I already know what you guys were doing during pickup and the season.”
“And it’s the same thing in our era, like there’s going to be times where you just bicker with your teammates or there’s going to be friction because we spend every day together and we’re like a traveling band and it’s a brotherhood really and especially when you got that championship mindset and that expectation.”
“And I mean it starts with obviously the head coach and then all the way down the last man on the bench. But that’s what makes, team so great. I know you can attest to that.”
“That’s why you got five rings and are part of one of the greatest dynasties in sports because everyone on that team, whoever stepped on that floor was the most competitive person out there.”
“And that’s when you get the most of each out of each other. And that’s when the product’s the best. And for us, there have been a lot of scuffles. There have been a lot of bad words said and feelings hurt. But at the end of the day, we know we just want to win.”
“And when you raise a banner, you can look past all the stuff that you went through as brothers. And there were times there would be friction between whether it be Draymond and I or Steph and I or coach and I. It’s just a part of it. And you grow from it. And you be a man enough to leave that on the court and be a professional about it.”
Thompson’s words resonate with fans who saw glimpses of Golden State’s behind-the-scenes tension over the years. The two most public examples remain Draymond Green’s infamous dust-ups: first, the heated verbal exchange with Kevin Durant in 2018, and later, the punch thrown at Jordan Poole before the 2022–23 season.
Yet, Thompson revealed that such flare-ups weren’t isolated incidents. They were part of the daily grind of being a dynasty.
That maturity, leaving the conflict in the locker room rather than letting it linger, was the secret glue that held the Warriors together.
What Thompson describes is the paradox of dynasties. The competitiveness that fuels greatness is the same fire that sparks internal fights.
Legends across eras have dealt with it: Michael Jordan infamously punched Steve Kerr in practice, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant went years trading barbs, and even the Boston Celtics of the 1980s had moments of bitter conflict. But like Thompson emphasized, the great teams learn to compartmentalize, allowing the collective pursuit of championships to override personal disagreements.
Now with Dallas, Thompson sees the lessons clearly. Dynasties aren’t built without conflict. They are built on how teams survive it.
