"It's an appreciation for greatness…Their competitive spirit is something you can see, and it's authentic."
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson – who will face off against Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in "The Match" on Thursday – spoke about their respect for the Chiefs' duo. pic.twitter.com/bVOWuXR3bp
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) June 28, 2023
The anticipation for this year’s edition of “The Match” has peaked with the participants making their way to The Wynn in Las Vegas.
Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce and his MVP teammate Patrick Mahomes are set to do battle against the NBA’s Golden State Warriors all-star duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
The duel on the green is expected to be exciting, with four great athletes taking swings on the golf course for charity. The trash talk hasn’t quite made headlines like last year’s matchup, as both teams show a healthy respect for their opponents.
While speaking with reporters in a conference call earlier in the week, Curry and Thompson admired the Chiefs’ duo, highlighting their championship pedigree.
“I mean, that competitive spirit, they obviously know who they are,” said Curry. “They have great chemistry. They’re great leaders in the sense of how they talk about themselves, their team, and their vision for winning at the highest level, and there’s an entertainment value in watching them on the field as well, just because of the creativity, what they do is just following the journey from when they first started together with each of their respective careers, to now knowing that journey is not always easy. And there’s disappointments and failures along the way, but then you figure out success and then having to try to get back to that level, you know, after your first one. So just appreciation for greatness in the sense of knowing what it takes to do that. I don’t know anything when it takes about in football, but just in terms of that competitive spirit that you can see. It’s clear, and it’s authentic.”
The Warriors, led by Curry and Thompson, have captured four NBA championships during their time together, while Mahomes and Kelce have secured two Super Bowl titles. Thompson explained the similarities between the two teams and respected the challenge ahead.
“Yeah, like Steph said, I respect Pat and Travis’s synergy together,” said Thompson. “I mean, when you think of the Kansas City Chiefs, you think those two you think one of the best duos in sports, and above all, they’re just fun to watch. I mean, both players pretty much revolutionize their positions. You know, Pat being able to throw on the move and Travis being able to beat corners, safeties, (and) linebackers. He’s is pretty much unguardable. So, it’s kind of like I relate it to Steph and I. You know, being able to win at the highest level with a three-point shot being the biggest weapon in our arsenal, and it’s kind of like what their offense kind of resembles too is just something we’ve never seen before. So huge respect on our part for what they do.”
Mahomes and Kelce will be looking to keep their undefeated streak as a team in Las Vegas alive with a satisfying victory over the “Splash Brothers.”
