Klay Thompson found out from the media on Thursday that he was once again not elected to an All-NBA team, and the Golden State Warriors star could not hide his disappointment with being overlooked for a third consecutive year.
Thompson rolled his eyes when a reporter informed him that he finished behind Kemba Walker in the All-NBA Third Team voting.
Klay Thompson learns he didn’t make All-NBA (“Oh I didn’t?”) and is clearly a little ticked (it affects his next contract): “When you go to five straight Finals, it takes more than a couple All-NBA guys…Do I think there are that many guards better than me? No.” pic.twitter.com/bW5DiBavo1
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 23, 2019
“That’s cool and all, but when you go to five straight Finals — I respect those guys, but when you go to five straight it takes more than just a couple of All-NBA guys,” Thompson said. “That’s like an all-time team, but whatever. I’d rather win a championship than be Third Team All-NBA.”
Of course, making an All-NBA team gives a player much more than just bragging rights. Thompson, a five-time All-Star, would have been eligible for a five-year, $221 million supermax contract this offseason if he was All-NBA. Instead, he can earn a max of around $191 million over five years with Golden State. When asked if that part of it bothers him, Thompson said “rings” help him get past it.
“Do I think there are that many guards better than me in the league?” Thompson asked. “No, but that’s the reason why we’re still playing.”
Stephen Curry was named All-NBA First Team while Kevin Durant made the Second Team, and Thompson obviously has it tougher being teammates with those guys. He still managed to average 21.5 points per game this season, but that was not enough for the voters. These are the reasons why there have been rumblings that Thompson is unhappy with his role in Golden State, though his father seems to think his son should ignore all that and stick with what he has.
