Whether they intended on sending the message or not, the Golden State Warriors indirectly told sharpshooter Klay Thompson they value his game more than that of three-time All-Star Kevin Love.
The Dubs' decision was never as simple as Thompson vs. Love, but that's how it was received by the masses. With enough people subscribing to that theory, and the time that has passed since the start of that debate, perception may well have become reality by this point.
It's hard to pinpoint where the Warriors' trade talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves hit a snag. Thompson's value certainly played a part, but so too did Golden State's other debits (David Lee, Harrison Barnes, possibly a future first-rounder) and "credits" (Kevin Martin's weighty contract) in the transaction.
Still, the narrative took on a life of its own. Once Love's great escape finally opened a door to somewhere other than the Bay Area, the weight on Thompson's shoulders grew exponentially.
"No pressure, Klay Thompson, but you kinda have to be a soul-snatching backcourt murderer next season," wrote Grantland's Jason Concepcion. "At the very least, you n ...
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Article written by Zach Buckley
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