“Cost Him $30 Million”: Stephen A. Smith Takes Fall for Media’s Klay Thompson Injustice After ex-Warriors Star’s Bitter Departure

Whereas Klay Thompson is leaving Golden State with a lifetime value of recollections to cherish, he may not wish to look again on the best way issues ended there. Ending the season along with his lowest scoring common since his sophomore 12 months and likewise going scoreless in his last recreation, the Warriors have been reluctant to supply him the long-term contract he desired, finally sparking rumors a couple of rift between each events. Furthermore, media’s fixed criticism for the sharpshooter didn’t assist his case.

And witnessing Klay’s coronary heart breaking departure, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith took accountability on behalf of the media for the injustice he has suffered over time, citing an incident from 5 years in the past that led to an enormous pay reduce for the four-time champ.

Klay Thompson’s hate for the media is justified

Through the newest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Present, the analyst sympathized with Klay saying, “If Klay Thompson hates the media for life, I wouldn’t blame him.” Then, Smith reminded his viewers of the time when Klay bought snubbed from the All-NBA workforce after his wonderful efficiency within the 2018-19 season. “The media cost Klay Thompson $30 million because Kemba Walker was put in All-NBA team and Klay Thompson wasn’t.” Smith remarked.

Heading into free company that summer time, had Klay made any of the All-NBA groups that 12 months, he would have been eligible for a five-year supermax contract extension. Extra importantly, he did have a season value honoring, averaging 21.5 factors whereas taking pictures over forty p.c from deep vary. Nonetheless, the voting panel, largely crammed with media personnel, had already picked Steph and Durant to obtain the consideration and left their teammate Klay out of the record. As a substitute, Kemba made the reduce within the third-team after averaging 25.6 factors with the Hornets with out lacking a single recreation that season.

Whereas Kemba did have a greater particular person season than Klay, his workforce did not make the playoffs whereas Klay’s Warriors have been the highest seed within the West with 57 wins. Regardless, Klay missed out on his supermax extension and was compelled to choose a five-year $190 million deal. And Stephen A. believes it’s justified for Klay to be mad on the media for costing him a a lot greater pay verify.

Klay Thompson didn’t just like the Kemba Walker choice

Following Klay’s snub from the All-NBA workforce in 2019, a video went viral on social media of him discovering out that he didn’t make the reduce throughout a Warriors presser. “Oh, I didn’t?” a shocked Thompson confirmed with the reporter who broke the information to him. Then, Klay’s shock was utter disbelief and frustration when he discovered that Kemba Walker was chosen over him. “Whatever, I’d rather win a championship than be third team All-NBA.” Klay mentioned in frustration.

Figuring out that the end result would have an effect on his subsequent contract, Klay was very disenchanted with the media’s injustice towards him. However he reminded everybody that he was nonetheless one of many high guards within the league, “Do I think there are that many guards better than me? No.” On the time, earlier than his ACL and Achilles accidents, Klay was the truth is top-of-the-line gamers within the league and arguably the second-best shooter behind Steph. And possibly the voters did him soiled by not deciding on him among the many Prime 15 gamers within the league that 12 months.

And along with his newest contract worth coming right down to $50 million for 3 years, the thirty million he missed out on 5 years in the past will certainly hang-out him for fairly a while. Perhaps he’ll get some consolation from Stephen A. Smith taking the autumn for it.

Earlier than you go, don’t forget to take a look at what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato has to say concerning the alleged Shaq and Kobe Lakers beef. Hold checking this house for extra such updates.