Draymond Green’s comments about Klay Thompson’s move to the Miami Heat have sparked a fresh round of pushback, with media personality Emmanuel Acho taking Green to task for the way he framed the former Warriors teammate’s new situation.
Green, who has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most vocal players, weighed in after Thompson joined the Heat last week. His message was essentially that Thompson is not the same player who helped Golden State win four NBA titles, and that did not sit well with Acho.
“Draymond doesn’t realize that he just dissed Klay while trying to protect Klay," Acho said. "I understand Draymond’s intentions, but the execution is so, so, so terrible. Any of us trying to act like Klay going to Miami is a big deal is because we still have high hopes for Klay Thompson.”
Thompson is 36 now, and the decline in his game has been tied to the Achilles and ACL injuries he suffered in back-to-back years. Those setbacks cost him nearly two full seasons at one point, and the version of Thompson on the floor today is not the one Golden State rode to championships.
After leaving Stephen Curry and Green behind, Thompson landed with the Dallas Mavericks in search of another title. That move never really clicked, and last season turned into the worst of his career.
Now he gets another reset in Miami, where the Heat are being discussed as championship-ready because of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, a front court that is being described as the best in the NBA. For Thompson, it’s a chance to show he still has something left and, maybe, to get one over on Green in the rings conversation.
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Heat Still Face One Roster Decision With Final Spot Open
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John Konchar is one name to keep in mind after his recent release from the Timberwolves following a move out of Utah. The veteran wing brings the kind of profile Miami has long valued, with experience in Memphis and a reputation built on defensive versatility and a dependable three-and-D skill set, which makes him a plausible fit if the Heat decide the final spot should go to a more established option. [Read more 🡒]