SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson’s teammates are having some fun with his outrage over being excluded from the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
Hanging in Thompson’s locker Saturday was a No. 77 practice jersey, a rib at his place — or lack thereof — on the list, which honored the top 76 players in the league’s first 75 years (there was one tie).
Draymond Green posted a video to Instagram that showed Thompson modeling the jersey in the weight room.
“77th best player of all time, baby!” Thompson exclaims as Stephen Curry lets out a belly laugh.
“77th best player of all time, baby!”
Klay rocked the No. 77 jersey Draymond and Steph had made to troll him 🤣
[via @Money23Green / IG] pic.twitter.com/dkUBkZXdgV
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 23, 2021
Coach Steve Kerr said Curry was the likely culprit of the stunt but that he could neither confirm nor deny.
“You have to have humor about everything. His teammates obviously got that done to have a laugh with him,” Kerr said after Saturday practice. “Some guys latch on to things to drive them. … If that’s what it takes to make him more competitive, we’ll take it.”
The team was released over the first three nights of the regular season.
Curry’s name appeared in the final group of players announced, but Green and Thompson were excluded.
Green, for his part, said he was more frustrated over Thompson’s absence.
Thompson agreed.
“Maybe I’m just naive in my ability to play basketball, but in my head I’m top 75 all time,” Thompson wrote in a message posted to Instagram, hours after the team was revealed.
Kerr and Curry, who were both on the panel that determined the team, said both Green and Thompson deserved a spot among the top 75 (or 76) of all time.
“Their resumes stack up with anybody in terms of winning, accolades, everything,” Curry said. “There are some other top-level names that aren’t on that list, which speaks to how special that top 75 is, but also how talented this league is. I’ve played with two guys who deserve to be on that list, as well.
“I think Klay said, ‘fuel for the fire,’” Curry said. “I like that, too.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com