OAKLAND — When Klay Thompson entered the league prior to the 2011-12 season, the Warriors were coming off a 36-46 campaign in Stephen Curry’s second career season. The Warriors regressed in Thompson’s rookie year, going 23-43 in a shortened season due to a lockout.
It’s easy to forget those days, with the Warriors on the brink of launching a dynasty. With the exception of Kevin Durant, the core of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green have steadily built Golden State into the formidable force we see today when they started playing together during the 2012-13 season, Green’s rookie year.
The Warriors are amid another championship run in 2018. They handled the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup Saturday night, 123-101.
After the win, Thompson explained the advantage that Oracle Arena’s raucous environment brings the Warriors. He started to elaborate, but was cut off when Green interjected.
“That’s why we have had such great home court advantage since I have been here, the last six years, same with Draymond,” Thompson said. “We expect that to continue…”
“That’s seven years, champ” Green chimed.
“No, I am saying together,” Thompson replied.
“Ah, respect,” Green said.
“(My) rookie year was a little forgettable,” Thompson said.
Thompson averaged 12.5 points and 41.4 percent three-point shooting in 2011-2012 — not a bad rookie campaign. He has since blossomed into a perennial All-Star, having been named one four straight years, as one-half of likely the greatest shooting duo in NBA history with Curry.