Over the past five seasons, the Golden State Warriors have been involved in nearly every big basketball game the NBA has produced. During that time, Golden State has brought a trio of championships back to the Bay Area, and all three have come against one player — LeBron James.
James and the Warriors have built a steady rivalry from the rise of the Stephen Curry era. James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stole away a championship from the 2015-16 Warriors team that resulted in a historic 73-9 regular season.
Although by many Warriors’ fans, James is considered a rival, the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star paid respect to Klay Thompson during a special moment on Saturday.
Thompson returned to Pullman, Washington, where his alma mater, Washington State University, retired his No. 1 college jersey. Stephen Curry, Zaza Pachulia, and more of the Golden State contingent were in attendance for Thompson’s ceremony.
James went to Instagram to share a congratulatory message to Thompson after having his No. 1 jersey pulled into the rafters of Washington State’s Beasley Coliseum.
LeBron James showed loved to Klay Thompson’s WSU jersey retirement on his IG story tonight pic.twitter.com/iKNrXZXfG0
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) January 19, 2020
James and the Lakers are surging to the top of the Western Conference, while the Warriors are dwelling near the bottom. Injuries to Curry and Thompson have spoiled the opportunity for Golden State and James to potentially meet in the playoffs.
However, once Curry, Thompson return to the Warriors lineup next to D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green, the rivalry between James and Golden State once again.