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Klay Thompson clarifies ‘I’m not sacrificing’ remark on Warriors signing Kevin Durant

Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Six

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 28: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 28, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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After the Warriors signed Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson said:

“I feel kind of disrespected that people keep using the term sacrifice to describe me and describe us,” Thompson told The Vertical. “We all want to see each other do well. But I’m not sacrificing [expletive], because my game isn’t changing. I’m still going to try to get buckets, hit shots, come off screens. I want to win and have a fun time every game we play.

After that comment drew so much attention, Thompson is clarifying it.

Thompson, via Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area:

“When you acquire the talent we did this off season, “ he began, “I don’t think that’s a sacrifice at all. I think that we are in an amazing position to do things that haven’t been done here.

“So I’m not talking about points per game or minutes or shots, I’m really not sacrificing anything because you don’t sacrifice when you acquire a player like Kevin Durant and get people like David West. I think we really got stronger, which is hard to imagine because we had such a great year last year.

“That’s what I meant by that, though.”


That’s how I took his comment initially.

However, I’m still not sure Thompson fully understands what it’ll require to play with Durant, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who is also accustomed to having the ball in his hands. Thompson might think taking fewer shots to win more is not sacrificing, but it’s another thing to actually go through it.

Will Thompson feel the same way if he’s shooting less and it’s not immediately resulting in wins? Will he feel the same way if he’s shooting less and that takes him out of rhythm?

It’s helpful Thompson is entering the season with the right attitude, but that’s only step one of many.