Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, July 2nd.
Monday marked the end of an era for the Golden State Warriors as it was announced that Klay Thompson will be leaving the team to join the Dallas Mavericks after a historic 13-year career in the Bay. The legendary Splash Brother was responsible for some of the franchise’s most iconic moments during this dynasty run, endearing him to Dubs fans everywhere. Here are a few of our favorites, both on and off the court.
LMAO KLAY pic.twitter.com/U8XNnaLkER
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) June 20, 2022
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, July 2nd:
In June 2011, Klay was hand-picked by Jerry West to be drafted at the perfect time to be the perfect running mate for Curry, in a way that Monta Ellis never could be. Would Curry have been great if he’d never had Klay by his side? Yes, unquestionably. But there’s zero doubt that for Curry to reach his zenith, he needed a backcourt partner with size, who could be a lethal shooting threat without needing to dribble the ball, who could guard just about anybody and who was most content in a quieter corner of this loud circus.
Klay embodied all of those things so completely that for decades into the future he will be shorthand for championship-building: If you’ve got an alpha superstar, what you need next is a Klay. Then you will start counting championships (if you have a Draymond, too).
Klay flourished because he had Curry as a teammate, of course, but together they were the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history, and full credit to former head coach Mark Jackson for calling it out early and making sure they kept hearing him say it.
Warriors statement on Klay Thompson: pic.twitter.com/qIscaFW5mN
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) July 2, 2024
Adrian Wojnarowski:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 1, 2024
"A lot of the teams who lost out on Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn have transferred over, trying to see if they can land Lauri Markkanen out of Utah, Golden State is one of those teams.”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
pic.twitter.com/vo2SaX9vMI
Melton, 26, is that rare young player who is effective but has remained mostly under the radar, partly because he has played for three different teams.
The Warriors, like the rest of the NBA and those who live and breathe it, realize his value as one of the league’s top perimeter defenders.
Melton is, like former Golden State star Andre Iguodala, one of those guys who rarely produces a dazzling stat line but often makes winning plays. He’s shooting 36.9 percent from deep over his six-year career. Moreover, he’s a terrific defender – on ball or off – who will get steals, grab rebounds and pile up more “hockey” assists than official dimes.
Quinten Post on what he brings to the Warriors pic.twitter.com/bw9mNJLv6U
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 1, 2024
He ruined the Clippers’ plans by giving George the max deal that Harden had wanted all along.
Say what you will about Morey, whose analytical ways and Dork-a-palooza legacy have been a point of contention in the Association for nearly two decades, but the man knows how to land a star. From the Houston days when he tried so boldly to take down the Golden State dynasty, pairing Harden with the likes of Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook before it all fell apart, to the Harden reunion in Philly two years ago, the strategy has always been the same. Target all of the one-percenters in the hoops universe, be it LeBron James or Chris Bosh or whoever else is on the top of everyone’s list at the moment, and play the odds that always get better when you employ the cream of the crop.
None of which is to say the Sixers are suddenly title contenders again. Not even close.
The Celtics also agreed to an extension with guard Derrick White earlier Monday. Boston now has every member of its starting lineup under contract through at least 2025-26. In that season alone, the contracts of Tatum, Brown, White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis will total $198.5 million.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics majority ownership group — led by Wyc Grousbeck — is planning to make the franchise available for sale, sources tell ESPN. The investment group purchased the team in 2002. Massive development for one of sports’ most valuable properties. pic.twitter.com/ICixdcJtLF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
On the court, he served as the perfect complement to his Splash Brother, Steph Curry. While Curry is considered the greatest shooter ever, Thompson was special in his own right, capable of combusting into the hottest shooter the game has ever seen at any given moment. Whether he was scoring 37-points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings in 2015, scoring 60 points in three quarters against the Indiana Pacers in 2016, or coming up clutch in numerous “Game 6 Klay” performances, Thompson struck fear in opposing defenses and was a big reason why the Warriors offense remained dominant throughout the dynasty years.
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