Klay Thompson Cites Former Laker as Inspiration For His Game

Klay Thompson of the Warriors was born in Los Angeles. His father Mychal Thompson played for the Lakers where he won a couple of championships. Thompson has said that playing in the second-round series against the Lakers would be a dream come true, and he's waited for twelve years for this opportunity. In fact, a former Laker superstar is what inspired his game growing up.

Klay Thompson on playing his hometown Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, the team in which his dad, Mychal Thompson, won two championships with & is now a commentator for:

“I get to play in front of my father, my mother, my best friends… it’s a dream come true. I’ve… pic.twitter.com/fCUsirlA2k
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) April 30, 2023

After a huge second game in the series against the Lakers, Thompson was once again asked about playing in Los Angeles. He immediately mentioned the impact Kobe Bryant had on him growing up. He mentioned how he was a "huge fan of Kobe." He added that he would play his "hardest to honor him and Gigi cause without his play and me viewing his tenacity on the court, I would not be the athlete I am today."

"Without his play and all those years of viewing his tenacity on the court, I would not be the athlete that I am today."

Klay Thompson on playing Playoff games in Los Angeles, where he was inspired at a young age by Kobe Bryant.#NBAPlayoffs presented by @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/DuMynbYnr5
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2023

The Warriors tied up the series behind Thompson's incredible 30-point game where he went 8-11 from the three-point line. Now, they will head back to Los Angeles to hopefully steal one back from the Lakers to regain home-court advantage.

KLAY THOMPSON IN #PLAYOFFMODE

30 PTS
8-11 3PM
W

LAL/GSW Game 3: Sat, 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/HONpIWYheu
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2023

The Warriors are the former champions, and Thompson is definitely motivated to win the games in the city he was born. It will take another great performance from the four-time champion for the team to have a chance to win the series.