Warriors’ Klay Thompson Yelled At Steve Kerr When He Was Taken Out Of Starting Lineup

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told NBA reporter Kendra Andrews of ESPN that Klay Thompson yelled at him when the guard was taken out of the starting lineup. 

Thompson apologized to Kerr and the assistant coaches on the Warriors after cooling off. 

“It was not an easy conversation,” Kerr said. “This is maybe the hardest part about getting further away from our prime. It’s just, after 12 years [of Thompson starting], it wasn’t easy. And still moving forward, it’s not going to be easy. But I told him, ‘If you really embrace it, you can help your team win.'”

Thompson, one of the best shooters in NBA history, spent his All-Star break in Southern California with his parents, siblings and nephew. That break helped him process his new role on the Warriors. 

“Just being able to still be out there playing with these guys, that in itself is amazing,” Thompson said. “It’s been a season of evolution.”

Thompson is averaging 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season while shooting 42.1% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.2% from the foul line. The four-time champion has a plus-minus of -38.

Thompson, 34, becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He wants to spend his entire career with the Warriors, who are in 10th place in the West with a record of 30-27. 

“There’s an understanding that a maximum contract — Thompson is eligible for a four-year, $223 million extension — is unrealistic,” Andrews wrote. “A league source told ESPN that money and his lineup status are not driving forces for Thompson, and he remains open to a shorter-term deal.”

The Warriors drafted Thompson with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Thompson has had a Hall of Fame career with the Dubs, who still believe they can compete for a title this season despite having a poor record. 

Thompson is averaging 19.8 points while shooting 47.9% overall and 44.9% from 3 since coming off the bench.