“Brought Kobe out of the house,” Klay Thompson reveals Luka Doncic getting co-sign stamp from ‘GOAT’

Klay Thompson revealed when Kobe Bryant went to watch Luka Doncic, the star anticipated a bright future for the Slovenian.

“Brought Kobe out of the house,” Klay Thompson reveals Luka Doncic getting co-sign stamp from ‘GOAT’

Klay Thompson revealed his first conversation with Luka Doncic

Klay Thompson has always talked about being an avid Kobe Bryant fan. Born in California, the shooting guard has admired and followed the LA Lakers star for a long time. Thompson looked up to Bryant in more ways than one as he interestingly shared a story about the ‘Black Mamba’s basketball choices. The sharpshooter understood his new teammate Luka Doncic‘s worth as a player through a gesture by Bryant.

Back in 2019, Kobe Bryant attended a Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks alongside his daughter Gianna. Sitting courtside the Lakers legend jokingly trash-talked Luka Doncic in his native language, Slovenian. Bryant making efforts to attend the game and watch the Mavericks star caught Klay Thompson‘s attention. That’s when Thompson realized that Doncic had a bright future in the NBA.

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Kobe was one of the most intelligent athletes to ever grace this earth…That’s the first thing I told Luka when we met. I was like man I knew you were gonna be special because he brought Kobe out of the house to go watch him play. Kobe doesn’t just give that love to those who don’t earn it.

Klay Thompson said.

While speaking in the press conference, Thompson’s compliment to Doncic was certainly high as he gave Bryant the ‘GOAT’ title. Being in California during his High School years, Bryant was the Michael Jordan for Thompson. A day after Bryant’s death anniversary, Thompson admitted to remembering the star and his late daughter each day. After five years, the former champion still finds it difficult to accept Bryant’s absence.

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Thompson was right in following Bryant’s judgment considering how Doncic’s career has turned out. Just a few years in, the Slovenian took his team to the finals and made it to the MVP race at a young age. Doncic’s influence on the Dallas team was also the leading reason for Thompson to choose the Mavericks.

Klay Thompson believed he is the ‘missing piece’ for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving

After the Mavericks added Kyrie Irving to the roster, the player’s partnership with Doncic became unstoppable. The duo is even considered one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history. After witnessing their run to the championship finals, Thompson’s desire to join the team began. Thompson has spoken highly of Doncic multiple times but he also believes the team is a perfect fit for him.

Back in August, Thompson explained his role for the Mavericks during Hometown Favorites Weekend. As Doncic and Irving tend to draw a ton of gravity on the floor, Thompson, an elite shooter can benefit from it. The four-time champion also talked about the team’s on-court chemistry. Thompson finds the team reliable with defense by big man Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford’s ability to finish at the rim.

At this point in my career. I might not be able to run as fast or jump as high, but I can still knock down open shots, and I think I can be that missing piece for them.

Klay Thompson said.
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Thompson’s vision with the Mavericks is slowly coming to life. The star has been a beneficiary factor with Doncic and Irving but especially more in their absence. The Kobe Bryant compliment for Doncic also came after a phenomenal performance by Thompson. The star made seven threes in the first quarter to outscore the entire Washington Wizards roster.