Mychal Thompson predicts Draymond Green will foul his son Klay during the game.© (@50NuancesDeNBA)
As Klay Thompson prepares to play against his old team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time as a Dallas Mavericks player, his father, Mychal Thompson, expressed his excitement for a memorable and emotional night. Mychal, a former NBA player and current broadcaster, appeared on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show on Tuesday afternoon, offering some lighthearted yet pointed predictions about the upcoming matchup.
While Mychal acknowledged that the Warriors would likely give Klay an emotional tribute for his years of service to the team, he also made another bold prediction. “They’ll give him a nice little tribute tonight and welcome him back and show him appreciation for all the years he spent up there… and then Draymond’s gonna commit a flagrant foul on him,” Mychal said, causing laughter among the show’s hosts.
Mychal’s comments aren’t entirely in jest. The bond between Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, two of the core members of the Warriors’ championship dynasty, has been well-documented over the years. Yet, as is often the case in professional sports, friendships are set aside regarding game time. In an interview with ESPN, Draymond Green made similar comments, confirming that he would not hold back during the game against his longtime teammate.
“I’m going to run through his chest,” Green said, explaining that his competitive nature would take over. “I used to run through my older brother’s chest when we played. There’s always this public disdain over me and Bron’s brotherhood. I try to kill him [on the court] more than anybody. I take him out. And vice versa. That’s what it is. I’m more apt to run through his chest than Kyrie [Irving].”
This fierce rivalry, which Green has alluded to, is rooted in the intense nature of their relationship on the court. Despite the Warriors’ solid start to the season, with Green contributing 8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, his competitive streak remains ever-present. Green has committed to keeping his technical fouls and flagrants in check this season. After receiving a technical foul in the season opener, he vowed to stay below ten technical fouls for the year. To date, he has succeeded, with no further technicals or flagrants.
However, based on his recent comments, Green’s self-imposed clean slate may not last through Tuesday night’s matchup against the Mavericks. His planned “greeting” for Klay may mirror the aggressive play that Green is known for—taking no prisoners when his competitive drive kicks into high gear.
Not at all surprised by Green’s comments, Mychal Thompson expressed hope that if Green does indeed deliver a hard foul, it will come at a moment when the Warriors are in the penalty. “I just hope that, when he does it, the Warriors will be in the penalty, so at least Klay gets a couple of free throws out of it,” Mychal joked, adding a layer of humour to an otherwise intense and competitive situation.
The matchup between Klay Thompson and the Warriors is sure to be one of the most emotional games of the season, as Thompson will face off against his former teammates for the first time since leaving Golden State. Fans and players alike are bracing for a highly charged atmosphere, with Draymond Green’s notorious tenacity adding extra drama to an already emotionally charged game. With both Thompson and Green ready to bring their best to the court, this game promises to be an unforgettable moment in the history of the NBA.
