Two-plus years away from the game changed everything for Klay Thompson.
On the eve of the Warriors’ season opener, Thompson sent out a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a video with Kobe Bryant.
Shortly before Game 1 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Kobe gave an interview with Cari Champion and was asked which players in the league he was most impressed with. Klay said he used the video as daily motivation during his 31-month rehab from ACL and Achilles injuries from 2019-2022.
Here’s the full text of Klay’s message on IG:
“During the comeback / rehab process , I continually wondered if I would be the same player I was before the injuries.
I watched this Kobe interview daily to remind myself to attack every weight room session, shooting work out, one on one, and 5 on 5 scrimmage with the same killer instinct he brought to EVERYTHING he did.
I am so grateful he said these things about Steph and I . I think about these words every time I put on the Warriors uniform.
Lastly, I am so thankful to be starting the season healthy and will do everything I possibly can to help this team win # 5 .
LETS GET IT DUBNATION
#KobeandGigiforever 8 - 24 - 2 🐍 ♾”
Klay has a huge appreciation for the grind and an even deeper appreciation for his 2022 ring. In case you’re wondering, here’s Kobe’s message in full:
“There’s several of them out there and approach the game extremely, extremely serious,” Bryant told Champion. “I get a kick watching Golden State. They seem very unassuming. Klay and Steph seem very calm and nice guys. Those guys are stone-cold killers, man. They don’t care about what you think of ‘em, they don’t care if they take a game-winning shot and they miss it. They’re out there to do their job. They have a very strong sense of killer instinct.”
Klay spent part of his childhood in the Los Angeles area and grew up idolizing Kobe, before they played 12 times head-to-head in the careers, with Bryant going 7-5.
Just as Kobe was part of the Lakers dynasty, Klay is part of the Dubs dynasty. Thompson might have had trouble sleeping Monday night since he was so excited for Tuesday’s ring ceremony.
"So happy Chase Center got a championship,” Thompson said after his preseason explosion last week. “It's gonna be a special, special night that Warrior fans will never forget."
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