• last year
Klay Thompson's uncle, Andy, was once an import for Tanduay Rhum Masters. "He loved playing in the P.B.A.," the Golden State Warriors star says.
In this exclusive interview with Esquire Philippines, Klay Thompson talks about Barongs, ball, booze, bistek (which he says he vibes with), and a whole lot more.
Transcript
00:00 When I first came on the Warriors, I was just so happy to be there.
00:03 I had no idea that one day our style of play would be emulated around the world.
00:07 And especially at the youth level to see so many players shooting threes and doing step backs
00:13 and rarely posting up as much, but a lot of pace and space.
00:19 It's truly amazing and it's an honor for us to see this.
00:23 [Music]
00:33 It's been very fun. I love to see all the Warrior fans.
00:37 I love to see Thompson jerseys in the crowd. It gives me so much inspiration.
00:41 It makes me feel very welcomed.
00:44 And my uncle Andy told me I would have a good time just off his experience.
00:48 He loved the fans and he loved playing in the PBA.
00:52 And he talks about it with so much joy.
00:55 [Music]
01:01 Well, Chris is such an incredible player and he's made every single team he's played for a lot better.
01:07 And he has one goal in mind, that's to win a championship. And that's our goal as well.
01:11 [Music]
01:20 Our team, I think, with his playmaking, especially for Steph and I, we can play off the ball, run around screens.
01:26 And he's just a high-level competitor. That's why I'm really excited to play with Chris.
01:31 Because he is very, very competitive and that's what it takes to be great.
01:35 There was no real beef. The only beef comes from on the hardwood.
01:39 And when you battle and in the final buzzer sounds, you walk away and you have respect for your opponent.
01:45 But you leave it on the floor and I guess you keep the beef for next time too.
01:50 [Music]
01:55 It's amazing. It's really incredible. It's something I never could have dreamt of.
02:00 As far as being on a team that influences the whole world of basketball.
02:04 It's insane to think about. I mean, when I first came on the Warriors, I was just so happy to be there.
02:10 I had no idea that one day our style of play would be emulated around the world.
02:15 And especially at the youth level to see so many players shooting threes and doing step backs.
02:20 And rarely posting up as much, but a lot of pace and space.
02:25 It's truly amazing and it's an honor for us to see this.
02:28 [Music]
02:34 I think we're not there yet with the Bulls, the Spurs or the Lakers.
02:39 Because with their great run or the Celtics, the Bill Russell led Celtics.
02:43 Bill Russell run 11 that will never be touched ever again.
02:46 Magic and Kareem, Kareem got six. Five with the Lake Show.
02:50 Tim Duncan five, Bulls six. So if we want to be a top five dynasty ever, we have to win a fifth banner.
02:57 It just mathematically makes sense.
03:00 [Music]
03:05 I mean, I think greatest backcourts of all time. I think Gale Goodrich, Jerry West, Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Clyde Frazier and Earl "The Poor" Monroe.
03:19 Tony Parker, Monty Ginobili, Michael Jordan, Ron Harper.
03:23 I mean, I think we're up though. I don't want to claim we're the best because I don't want to.
03:29 There's so many greats who came before us and without their style of play, I would not be the player I am and Steph wouldn't either.
03:36 And but hopefully when it's all said and done, if we win another ring, we can be considered one of the top three ever.
03:45 That would be very special.
03:47 [Music]

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