Klay Thompson’s return to Chase Center on Tuesday, when the Warriors welcome the franchise icon home in their game against the Dallas Mavericks, will be full of smiles, tears and a rousing ovation. It will also feature a special Golden State wrinkle that perfectly matches Thompson’s unique personality off the court.
The Warriors will literally tip their cap to Klay – a captain’s cap to be exact. Thompson’s first match in the Bay is called “Salute Captain Klay” for an interactive experience that all of Dub Nation can participate in.
Each fan will receive a captain’s hat with the Warriors logo in honor of Thompson’s love of the water, as he often traveled to games and home practices on his beloved fishing boat.
During pregame player introductions, Thompson will be announced last in the Mavericks’ starting lineup, and as part of the Warriors’ tribute video which will last about a minute, fellow Splash Brother Steph Curry will wear the same cap as those present. it’s an invitation to all 18,000 fans to join us in saluting the Bay Area’s favorite captain, always and forever.
Curry will also be at center court after the video ends to share his many thanks to his longtime teammate and welcome him to Dub Nation.
“With Klay, it’s not the records, the championships or the clutch shots that stand out most from the last 13 years – it’s the truly unique relationship he’s developed with the Bay Area and our fans,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Brandon Schneider. a press release from the team. “He kissed Dub Nation and Dub Nation kissed him back. Warriors fans laughed, cried, cheered and celebrated alongside him, and it’s only fitting that they had the opportunity to show him their love and greet him upon his return to the Bay.
Discussions about how best to honor Thompson have been taking place within the Warriors leadership for months. The decision to incorporate the captain’s hat was a collaboration between the marketing and public relations teams, although Kimberly Trinidad, Warriors vice president of marketing and operations, specifically suggested the hat.
“We loved everything about it,” Schneider said Friday during a video conference with Warriors reporters. “Since it’s authentic, we think fans will truly cherish these hats. It’s going to be something really cool in the arena. The tip of the cap in the arena will be amazing, but it’s the kind of thing that I think fans will have this in their home or office as this really cool thing that signifies this era and what Klay Thompson meant for our franchise and to all of us as people.
Thompson was selected No. 11 overall by the Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft. Being named First Team All-Rookie was the start of an illustrious career in a Warriors jersey. The four-time champion was named an All-Star five times and made the All-NBA team twice, as well as the 2018-19 All-Defensive team. During his 13-year career with the Warriors, in which two-plus seasons were cut short due to leg injuries, Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. assists per game while shooting 45.3 percent overall and 41.3 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Thompson had many unforgettable shooting moments in a Warriors jersey, including making a record 14 3-pointers in a game, making a 37-point quarter on a perfect 13 of 13 from the field and 9 of 9 from three, as well as his 60-point game in just 29 minutes.
He finished his Warriors career second in franchise history with 2,481 3-pointers made and fourth in 3-point percentage. He is currently sixth on the NBA’s all-time 3-point list with 2,508 and counting.
Known as “Game 6 Klay” as one of his many memorable nicknames, Thompson’s then-NBA playoff record 11 3-pointers were part of his 41-point night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals, is forever. will remain engraved in the history of the franchise and the NBA. Thompson is the Warriors’ all-time leader in minutes and games played in the playoffs, and ranks second in playoff points and three-pointers, third in blocked shots and steals, fourth in assists and fifth in rebounds.
The Warriors have already announced that his No. 11 jersey will be retired at the end of his playing career.
“This could be the most emotional and impactful homecoming that could ever happen,” Schneider said. “Not just for the Warriors, but for anyone, given their history.”
Tuesday night’s game is the Warriors’ first NBA Cup game, and the team is urging fans to arrive early for a 7 p.m. PT tipoff on what should be a night everyone will remember to honor a legend.
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