Klay Thompson is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. The Warriors shooting guard is a five-time All-Star. He's a three-time NBA champion and has been an iron man throughout Golden State's dynasty.
But once again, he was left off the All-NBA teams, passed over last week for Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker and Russell Westbrook (there's no argument with Steph Curry, James Harden and Damian Lillard earning All-NBA selections).
Nearly a week after Thompson vented his frustration over the snub to local media, he appeared on ESPN's The Jump and explained further why it bothered him so much.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"The money's nice, but I'm just trying to build a resume and I see some other guys playing my position growing up, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, I try to be in that mold, they made three, four All-NBA teams and I'm trying to get to that level," Thompson told Rachel Nichols and Tracy McGrady. "It didn't happen this year, but hopefully go to another Finals next year and maybe it'll happen then.
"I just wanted to make that team so badly, just because it's such a huge honor, to be recognized as a top-15 player in the best basketball league in the world, that's amazing. But like I said, the opportunity to win a championship is greater."
Thompson and the Warriors begin their quest for a three-peat and a fourth title in five years on Thursday when they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
Before the Warriors signed Kevin Durant in 2016, Thompson was the team's second offensive threat behind Curry. With Durant on the squad, Thompson has had to sacrifice his personal numbers for the greater good of the team. His on-court accomplishments get overshadowed by the two former league MVPs next to him.
Golden State Warriors
Nichols suggested that Thompson's sacrifice has hurt him in cases like this, and that it can't feel good. Thompson agreed.
"It doesn't and that's a good observation, Rachel, but that is life and it's a worthy sacrifice, I'll tell you that much," Thompson said. "To be here [at the NBA Finals] and to be on a global stage, I wouldn't trade it for the world, even All-NBA. So I'm happy to be here."
[RELATED: Why Klay won't listen to Drake]
Missing out on an All-NBA selection hurts Thompson in the wallet, as the largest contract the Warriors can now offer him this summer is five years for about $190 million. If he had been an All-NBA selection, he could have received a contract offer worth as much as $221 million.
Hopefully for the Warriors, Thompson will use the snub as motivation in the NBA Finals and put forth a performance that forces the national media to recognize him next season.