Thompson Will Always Be Dub Nation

Edition #192

The tribute video at Chase Center for Klay Thompson was something else.

I don’t know if it made Thompson feel emotional, but it sure made me. Thompson was our captain. He was a splash brother. He was our Game 6. Reliving that moment. Reliving that interview. Oh boy.

“I know I could get my career up to a great note up here, and I know we could do something special.” Spoiler alert, you did. You’re a Hall of Famer and you won 4 rings.

He enjoyed himself to the fullest in the Bay Area. In his 2022 celebratory speech, he said, “I love being a resident of the Bay Area. […] Dub Nation has no bounds and we have fans from all forms of life.”

I don’t think Thompson ever knew that he was going to make the move from the Warriors, but he hinted at it a few times. Especially in his speeches, he talks about being in Steph’s shadows. But, every time, he always credited the Warriors organization to be where he is today.

Yeah, I know. I honestly don’t even want to talk about this article. I was so snappy about Klay leaving, that I never looked deeper into this thing. The number of championships he’s won for the Bay Area is equal to Peyton + Eli Manning’s! The number of things he’s done for the Bay Area is uncountable.

He’s a splash brother. Just Curry on the Warriors couldn't have fetched them 4 rings if 1. The Warriors would’ve been swept without Klay in the 2017 NBA Finals. His contributions in ‘18 were big too. But, the Celtics series was when Klay really turned on, and even with Stephen Curry putting on an absolute show in 2022, Klay really helped move things forward in the series.

“I wouldn’t have been here without the Warriors, I mean who pays a guy after tearing an ACL? That’s unheard of, but they have faith in me, so I know you out there somewhere, but I appreciate you.” This is what Klay said in his 2022 ESPY Comeback Player of the Year Award speech.

To his message after leaving:

"Oh Bay Area, there are not enough words and images to convey how I really feel about y'all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the best times of my life. It was such an honor to put that Dubs jersey on from day 1. I really just wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the region. The best part was not the rings though, it was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime. Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened.

Klay Thompson will always be Dub Nation, regardless of what he does moving forward. His 13-year career will be remembered as one of the greatest in Warriors history, if not NBA history.

"I just, like, freely thought about it at the end. I was like, 'Do I have more to give [the Warriors] or would going somewhere else motivate me to add a new chapter to my legacy?'" Thompson said. "And that's what I decided on. And I haven't looked back since."

Thank you Klay Thompson, for your time in a Dubs uniform.