Warriors star Klay Thompson has waited over a decade for this matchup. Now, he will finally get a chance to face the Lakers in the playoffs.
After defeating the Kings in an amazing Game 7 during the first round of the postseason, Golden State was able to advance to the semifinals in the Western Conference.
While the Warriors faced off against LeBron James in the NBA Finals during four separate seasons, this is actually the first time that Golden State will play against Los Angeles in the postseason since 1991.
Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson, played for the Lakers that season — which was his final in the NBA. Mychal is now a radio color commentator for the Purple and Gold.
"If I had to guess, probably his employer. I have so many great memories with him watching the Lakers, Kobe, Shaq and Pau… I'm just really excited to try and stick it to the team I grew up rooting for."
Klay Thompson on who his dad will be rooting for 😂pic.twitter.com/upimT6sbm9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 1, 2023
During his postgame press conference, Klay was asked who he predicts his father will root for in the series:
“I don’t know. I really don’t. If I had to guess, probably his employer. But I’m just excited. I have so many great memories with him watching the Lakers, watching Kobe, watching Shaq and Pau, and the rest of the gang. So I’m just really excited to try to stick it to the team that I grew up rooting for.”
Before joining the radio booth for the franchise, Mychal won two titles as a big man in Los Angeles playing for the Showtime Lakers.
Mychal has tweeted photos of Klay wearing Lakers gear as a young child:
See? I TRIED to make him one…But the Dam Warriors got to him first… pic.twitter.com/CjxJYWzCeL
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) April 17, 2021
Back in 2019, when Klay was a free agent and some speculated that he may sign with Los Angeles, Mychal spoke about the possibility (via OC Register):
“If the Warriors have to lose, I hope it’s the Lakers: I could live with that,” he quipped. “I always cheer for him to do well. As long as he plays well I’m happy.”
It sounds like if Klay plays at a high level, no matter who wins, Mychal will have reason to enjoy himself. Regardless of the results in the next round, though, this series should be a very fun matchup for the Thompson family.
