Sometimes you’ve just gotta laugh.
That’s what Klay Thompson and his teammates were doing on Sunday after the Warriors decided to have a little fun with the small forward being snubbed from the NBA’s list of the 75 greatest players of all time.
Thompson made clear on social media that he felt he deserved to be included on the list. Instead of that accolade, Thompson received the gift of a custom Warriors jersey with the number 77 on the back, based on the idea that he’s the 77th best player in NBA history. Seventy-seven was chosen instead of 76, because there were actually 76 players on the list, as the final spot ended in a tie.
“77!” Thompson said walking around the locker room with a smile. “Best player of all time, baby!”
“Get the new jersey!” Warriors star Stephen Curry said cracking up. “New jersey alert!”
“I didn’t know what it meant, at first,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after practice via ESPN. “And then somebody explained it. I thought that was quite, quite funny.”
Draymond Green was the first to reveal the good natured prank on social media, but it’s unclear exactly which Warriors player was behind it.
“I’m guessing Steph,” Kerr said. “But I can’t confirm that. It’s a guess.”