The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics last week to claim their fourth NBA championship in eight years.
After an extended dry spell filled with injuries and bad luck, many wondered if Klay Thompson and Co. would ever get back to this point. The fact that they did, and then proceeded to win it all, obviously meant a ton to all parties involved.
Often when players in any sport win a chip, they are asked where they’re planning to go first. Disneyland is generally a pretty popular answer. But Thompson is cut from a different cloth.
Where did the Warriors sharpshooter opt to go first after claiming his fourth career NBA championship? To the most Cali place imaginable:
Klay Thompson hit In n Out the minute he hit the Bay. The People’s Champ!! pic.twitter.com/6lgBHeDyOe
— Kenny King Jr (@KennyKing_Jr) June 18, 2022
Because Twitter is a perfect encapsulation of society as a whole, reactions to Thompson’s stop at In N Out poured in immediately:
Idk if the shades were to be low but the hat def gives it away https://t.co/DXovFpaOuV
— He Who Remains (@theBenefactor_) June 19, 2022
happy for him hes been through a lot congratulations 🍾 https://t.co/uE8kILMFLc
— P3NK Rang3R$🍓 (@ThaNightShow_) June 19, 2022
Klay has never been more relatable. He’s just so damn lovable. https://t.co/QUGLgu5qXy
— Amir (@AmirR79) June 19, 2022
In and out sucks https://t.co/rdeksFuHPx
— AkashicRecord (@imlostin512) June 19, 2022
The very worst way you could celebrate something so special. Cuhh shoulda just hit the ocean instead https://t.co/qoRAuF8vdw
— Slicc👑🕺🏽 (@SliccTalka__) June 19, 2022
This objectively wasn’t Thompson’s strongest playoff run. He averaged 19 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting from the field – both his lowest marks since 2016.
In addition, Thompson’s 38.5 percent three-point shooting percentage in the postseason was his lowest since 2013.
All that being said, the fact that Thompson was able to bounce back from his injuries and return to the court provided an emotional lift for the Warriors that can’t be expressed in numbers.
There’s a reason why Golden State failed to win a chip while he was out, only to immediately win again upon his return. His presence matters.
Thompson has always marched to the beat of his own drum. That applies to his approach to women as well as his relationship with Stephen Curry.
Now that’s how you vacation. https://t.co/hg4qLRcrRh
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 18, 2022
But everything he does tends to be absolutely legendary.
What will Thompson go viral for next?
Time will tell.
Related: 2 Teams Trying To Steal Carmelo Anthony From Lakers
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
