The Golden State Warriors and their fans welcomed franchise legend and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson back to the Chase Center as a member of the Dallas Mavericks at 1 Warriors Way in San Francisco, California on Tuesday night with a pre-game standing ovation for the ages.
The venerable NBA On TNT crew led by Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley called Thompson’s standing ovation the greatest they had ever seen as Barkley and fellow host Shaquille O’Neal spoke openly about Thompson’s mindset in response to the welcome.
Thousands of fans wore captain’s hats in tribute and celebration of the former Warriors captain and shooting guard.
O’Neal called the hero’s welcome for Thompson the “ultimate sign of respect” for the Washington State alumnus.
Thompson teamed with current Warriors star Stephen Curry for 11 seasons to form the ‘Splash Brothers’ duo that revolutionized the way NBA basketball is played with their incredible shooting and flair for the dramatic from outside the three-point arc.