Klay Thompson knew exactly what he was signing up for when he joined the Miami Heat, and rather than being intimidated by the franchise’s very demanding culture, the four-time champion says it’s one of the biggest reasons that he wanted to be here.
Speaking on the Zaslow Show, Thompson said his decision to join the Heat was based on their reputation for conditioning, accountability, and championship expectations, and those reasons appealed to him at this stage of his career.
“I’ve had nothing but respect for the Miami Heat. I mean, Heat culture, it’s not just a phrase. They live it.”
“And there’s a reason that their guys overachieve a lot of times, or they embrace the pressure that comes with championship expectations. So that’s what attracted me here. It’s like all of my friends who have played here talk about how demanding it is and how your fitness will be the best it’s ever been.”
“And obviously, at this stage of my career, that’s what was so attractive, is I wanna be in an environment that’s super competitive. And guys might get uncomfortable at times. I love that. I love getting the most out of your abilities.”
I love pushing yourself to the limits physically. And I’m just—I get a whole new jolt of energy when I walk in this building, seeing the photos on the wall of all the championship runs, of the great Hall of Famers who played here.”
“And it just gives me motivation to add a new chapter to my legacy. And I’m just honored to see number 11 Thompson in a Heat uniform. It’s really surreal.”
Thompson thinks the Heat’s standards have helped players consistently outperform their abilities. He has also heard directly from friends who have previously played for the Heat about how demanding this organization can be physically, and that was particularly significant for Thompson at this stage of his career.
The veteran is entering his 16th NBA season and is no longer the two-way All-Star that he was during the Golden State Warriors dynasty era. Last season, Thompson averaged 17.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 39.3% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range.
Rather than looking for a very comfortable situation and a big contract for the rest of his career, Thompson wanted the exact opposite and wanted to chase a championship.
Interestingly, former Warriors teammate Draymond Green previously did wonder how Thompson would adjust to this environment. Green noted that Thompson has always moved to the beat of his own drum and questioned how his independent personality would mesh with the Heat’s very strict standards.
Thompson’s comments suggest that he isn’t merely ready to tolerate these demands. He’s actively seeking them out.
The Heat also give him another chance to compete for a championship. The Heat have constructed a roster headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Thompson providing another proven shooter and veteran presence.
Thompson signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Heat and even took a $1.5 million pay cut to provide the franchise additional flexibility to improve its roster.
For someone who spent more than a decade building a championship legacy with the Warriors, the Heat’s history also provided extra motivation.
Thompson already has four titles, five All-Star selections, and a place among the greatest shooters in NBA history. The Heat aren’t asking him to be the 2018 version again, but his shooting and veteran experience could be very important during a title run.
For Thompson, seeing number 11 in a Heat jersey has made this latest chapter of his career feel very real.