Draymond Green isn’t holding back, calling the current media narratives around Klay Thompson’s move to the Miami Heat “bulls–t” on his podcast. The Golden State Warriors forward believes sports media is actively setting his former teammate up for a fall after the sharp-shooter joined the Heat.
Draymond’s ‘Bulls–t’ Warning for Klay’s Heat Debut
“I don’t like how everybody is trying to act like ‘oh it’s Klay Thompson! Klay to the Heat!’ Like this is Klay from 2018,” Green fired off. He’s frustrated because he feels “everybody is trying to set Klay up for failure.” Green wants everyone to “stop acting like it’s 2017 Klay going to Miami.” He hopes the media would speak on it more like when Ray Allen joined Miami, saying that’s the role he expects Klay to play. “Don’t try to set my brother up like you about to get the 2017 Klay so the moment you don’t, you all can bash him. That’s bulls–t.” He argues against building him up “so y’all can tear him down.”
The Cold Hard Truth About Klay’s Game Now
Green’s defense of his four-time championship teammate isn’t a shock, and his call to temper expectations is absolutely fair. Thompson is 36 years old and has battled multiple significant injuries in his career. Last season, he was even moved into a bench role for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging a career-low 11.7 points per game. He’s simply not the “Splash Brothers version of himself” who could take over games and play lockdown defense at his peak. That five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Klay is gone.
Still, Klay’s fit with the Heat has impact potential. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will pull in most of the defensive attention, creating open looks. Green himself acknowledges Thompson can “shoot the lights out the ball” and will “shoot at an incredible level until he is 60 years old.” The shooting is there, but the expectation needs to be for the Klay of today, not a ghost of his past.
What kind of impact will the 2026 version of Klay Thompson *actually* make in Miami? We’re all watching to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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