Golden State Warriors superstar Klay Thompson has been out all season due to an ACL tear that he sustained during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Klay has been steadily recovering and getting fit ahead of the upcoming season. The 30-year-old is now in Los Angeles and he even updated fans about his brief visit to the Staples Center.
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Klay Thompson has a history with the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though he’s entered the arena as a competitor since his NBA career began, he often entered the Staples Center as a fan when he was a kid.
Klay’s father Mychal had a 14-year NBA career. Veteran Mychal Thompson won two-titles as a player, both coming with the Lakers. He signed with them in 1987 and stayed until 1992. Mychal has had the honor of sharing the court with the likes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Moreover, legendary play-by-play announcer, Chick Hearn was a part of the Lakers when Mychal was in the team. Thus, Klay Thompson has had the privilege of meeting Hearn in his childhood.
Hearn holds a tremendous streak of reporting 3,338 consecutive games over 36 years for the Lakers. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2002 and was duly honored by the management. The Lakers paid tribute to Chick Hearn with a bronze statue outside the Staples Center.
Klay Thompson who happened to stop by at the Staples Center, posted a picture of Hearn’s statue and wrote, “Chick Hearn the best to ever do it.”
Klay Thompson remembers Kobe Bryant and Gianna
When you visit the Staples Center there might be plenty of players or moments that’ll come to your mind. However, if you try to name the most loyal players ever in the history of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant will come to your mind.
The mamba spent 20 years with the purple and gold, winning five championships along the way. Kobe certainly ranks as one of the best players to play the sport, ever. Thompson rightfully paid his respects to Kobe and Gigi who died in a tragic air accident in January this year.
“Always gotta stop by and pay my respects, Thompson wrote in his Instagram story. “The best of my childhood walking thru those doors. Rest in power Kobe and Gigi,” he mentioned.
