Klay Thompson: “I’ve tasted victory before and there’s nothing like it”

Klay Thompson has expressed feeling completely adapted to Miamia city with which he maintains deep family ties. His father, Mychal Thompsonwas a school basketball star in Miami Jackson High in 1974, and his brother, Mychel Thompsonattended the same school in Oregon that the current coach of HeatErik Spoelstra. Additionally, the closeness to his many relatives in the Bahamas adds a sense of home to the new signing. The notorious traffic congestion of Miami even delayed its official presentation, a detail that Thompson already experiences as part of local life.

He ex-Maverickwho ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time 3-point shooting list, finalized a two-year deal with the Heat on Sunday, after passing the waiver process. This contract will allow him to play alongside figures like Giannis AntetokounmpoBam Adebayo and his former Golden State teammate, Andrew Wiggins. The second season of the deal includes a player option, giving him flexibility.

Thompson He chose to leave approximately $10 million to join the Florida team, noting that the possibility of winning again was the determining factor in his decision. “I’ve tasted victory before and there’s nothing like it,” said the five-time champion. NBA with the Golden State Warriorswhere he was part of the iconic “Splash Brothers” alongside Stephen Curryrevolutionizing the game with his prolific three-point shooting ability.

“The opportunity to win again at a very high level was extremely attractive to me,” he added. Thompsonwho has been five times All-Star. He holds the league record with 14 three-pointers made in a single game and has made at least 10 three-pointers nine times. This season, he is just 74 three-pointers away from surpassing Ray Allenformer player of Heatin third place on the NBA’s all-time list.

The arrival of Thompson It’s the latest move in an active summer for the Heat. Previously, the team acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis of Milwaukee in a transfer that sent Tyler HerroJaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis to the bucks. They also added another 3-point threat in Tim Hardaway Jr., who grew up in Miami while his father played for him Heat.

Coach Erik Spoelstra expressed his enthusiasm for the incorporation of Thompsonwhom he described as “one of the best to ever do it.” “We’re very excited about this. We’ve always had great respect for him. He’s a highly decorated champion. He knows how to win. He knows how to help others. He has a great IQ for the game. And defensively he takes pride in being a legitimate basketball player on both sides of the court,” he said. Spoelstrawho anticipates that “there will be a lot of eyes on our team this year.” Thompsonfor his part, sees this season as a “redemption” to demonstrate his constant impact on victory.