So many things define the Warriors.
It’s their shooting, their ball movement, their lack of defensive breakdowns that all craft an unbreakable image on the court. And off of it? Golden State’s superstars still carry a big chip on their shoulders.
A few weeks back, Draymond Green rattled off all 34 players taken before him in the 2012 NBA Draft. And even though Klay Thompson lets his play do most of the talking, that underdog mentality is still there.
In a fantastic profile by ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe, Warriors sources tell Lowe that Thompson takes an issue with the Cleveland Cavaliers passing him up twice in the 2011 NBA Draft.
He delights in reminding teammates and coaches behind closed doors that two Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, went ahead of him in the same draft; he quips that the Cavs took “the wrong Thompson,” team officials say. “He definitely remembers Kyrie went before him,” assistant GM Kirk Lacob told ESPN.com. “I can say that for sure.”
Irving went No. 1 overall and Tristan Thompson went No. 4. The Warriors lucked out with the No. 11 pick, nabbing Klay. Not only is he the perfect complimentary player to Steph Curry, he can carry the best player torch whenever needed. Go back and watch Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals if you need a reminder.