The Golden State Warriors’ entry to the Conference Semis meant everything for Klay Thompson as he got flashbacks of his old memories and the realization of those youthful dreams.
For them to get matched up against the Los Angeles Lakers for a best-of-seven duel, Thompson can only get pumped up to author another basketball story with LeBron James.
Thompson and the Dubs notably battled out the future hall of famer as the main man of the Cleveland Cavaliers for four-straight Finals from last decade, as they went on to cement the NBA’s modern rivalry.
“It’s special,” Thompson told reporter’s following Golden State’s wire-to-wire Game 7 victory over the Sacramento Kings. “I mean, [I] played LeBron in the finals four times. Obviously one of the greatest to ever play, and Anthony Davis is right there too.
“Played AD in the playoffs too and they have, watching that last series against Memphis, it looks like they’re gelling and their guys know their roles. … It’s going to be a huge challenge for us but we’re all excited to play the Lakers.”
The seventh-seed Lakers overwhelmed the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round set via six games. As such, Warriors’ Sunday triumph over the Kings meant both underdog teams to meet again for a playoff war for the first time since 1991.
“It’s a legendary franchise,” he said of L.A.. “Warriors-Lakers – it’s been a long time since they’ve seen each other in the playoffs.”
For Thompson, the context of him being from Los Angeles can only add that significant personal component to his upcoming action against the Lakers.
The star swingman is notably the son of Mychal Thompson, a former Laker bench spark plug who helped the franchise’s “Showtime” era to win two more championships back-to-back in 1987 and 1988. He still also holds that friendly connection with some of his childhood contemporaries.
“I know I’m personally excited,” Thompson added. “I get to play in front of my father, my mother, some of my best friends and go down to SoCal after our homestand and it’s just a dream come true — I’ve waited for this for 12 years.”
Thompson and the Dubs will open up their second-round series against the Lakers on Tuesday in Chase Center.
