Klay Thompson‘s season hasn’t got off to an ideal start, averaging just 11 points per game in these early stages of the season and shooting a disappointing 35.6 percent from the floor and 28.6pc on threes.
Now, he is embroiled in controversy off the court after Charles Barkley criticized his performances, leading to subtle digs from his team-mates, including Steph Curry, towards the retired NBA legend.
Barkley’s comments
“There was a time when Klay Thompson was the best two-way guard in the NBA, and he’s not the same guy,” Barkley said on TNT’s Inside the NBA.
“And that’s because of injuries. Now, is he done? No, I don’t think he’s done.
“I think he’s slowing down and it’s catching up with him. That’s why he’s frustrated.”
Curry’s fury
“The comments are part of our success right here,” Curry replied when asked about those comments.
“We’re always gonna be in the spotlight, and people care about how you’re playing, and care to comment positively or negatively. Because they know that will move the needle…
“But it’s interesting, because certain guys kinda forget what their careers looked like on the back end, so you can kinda cast and throw those stones, but Klay is still in here, helping us win a championship.”
Thompson’s reaction
Curry wasn’t the only one to react to Barkley‘s statements either, with the man himself Klay Thompson also addressing what was said.
“I tore my ACL and achilles in consecutive years, and I still helped my team win a championship,” he said, emotionally.
“I put so much freaking effort in to get back to this point, I played 57 games in three years.
“Give me some freaking time to get that back. Who goes through something like that and comes back? It just hurt my heart.
“But I’m going to internalize it and it’s going to be fuel for me.”