Klay Thompson's Full Heat Introductory Press Conference

OK, well, thank you all for being here. We want to welcome this young gentleman here to my left to the Miami Heat officially. And we're very excited about this. We've always had great respect for him. He's a highly, highly decorated champion. And we know about his world class shootings. One of the best that have ever done it. And the way he shoots the ball, the way he moves without the basketball, the way he's done it over his entire career. It's an offense unto itself. And that's in neon. That's the obvious that everybody knows. But the subtle nuances and other subtleties about his future Hall of Fame career are also what really excites us about him. He knows how to win. He knows how to help others. He has a great IQ for the game. And defensively, you know, he has a pride in being a legitimate two way basketball player. It's almost like he's a throwback from from in that regard in terms of really trying to impact the game on both sides of the floor. But his experience is immense. His resume speaks for itself. And that's why, you know, obviously we're really excited about him and how he can fit and how he can help us try to accomplish what we want to accomplish. And that's something very, very big. So without further ado, I'll be up here for a couple of questions. But really, you guys want to talk to him and get his answers and why he wore 11 over the course of his career and everything else. Welcome. Eric, since you're while you're still here, the summer started with a narrative of the Miami Heat, perhaps not having enough shooting to surround BAM and Giannis. Based on how the summer has progressed from Tim Cumming, now Clay Cumming, some of your other signings. Do you see any validity in that narrative? And could an argument almost be made that you might be a set from the three point arc as you've been maybe during your tenure? I mean, that's the thing when you're, you know, the narratives, you know, if you're talking about the beginning of the summer, we hadn't even put together the team, you know, so everybody jumps to conclusions. And we respect that. We love it. You know, I think there's going to be a lot of eyeballs on our team, you know, this year. This is this is what we wanted. You know, really, I mean, we're going to have a lot more games on national TV. We're kind of, you know, out of that mix the last two or three years. So all of it comes with it. And and really the judgment on our roster before we even put together the team, you know, is really unfair. But it was certainly something that we wanted to address, you know, with the addition of Giannis. And we think that we've addressed that, you know, we have a world class, you know, shooter and Clay has done it as well as anybody in the history of the game. And it just naturally you don't have to, you know, wonder about it. That's going to fit, you know, and he's going to be able to complement not only Giannis, but Bam and everybody else on the roster. But we have a lot of guys, you know, that shot the ball at a high level. Timmy has done it. Bobby had a great year, you know, shooting it, but he's done it now for a long period of time. Wiggs had a great year shooting the ball. You know, D. Mitch had a great year shooting the ball. But it's not just about shooting. It's about, you know, finding a way to win. You know, I know these are little side notes and side stories, but we're going to be focused on, you know, putting together a team that figures out how to win. Yeah, I don't want to overthink it or even over coach it. He knows what he's doing. I mean, those shots are going to be available. And if they're not available, you know, that means that it's going to open up lanes, you know, for somebody else. You know, he has that not only the, you know, the resume that I talked about. It's a highly decorated resume. But what comes with that of producing at a high level and, more importantly, producing at the highest level when it matters the most in the playoffs, what comes with that is a well-earned reputation. Well-earned. So, one way or another, it's going to help us. Whether he's running off of screens or different actions and he's doing what he's done over the course of his career, that's going to fit. Whether he's being chased off that line or if he runs outside the building, this is his reputation. If he runs outside of this building, his defender's going to run with him. And that's going to open up something, you know, for somebody else. Clay, I'm sure part of this decision was being able to play with Giannis and Bam, but you're also choosing to play for Coach Spoh. Did you have a relationship with him prior to this? And what about Spoh makes you want to play for him? To be honest, not really. But I know Coach Spoh's story. I know the respect he commands in the world of basketball is very high. And, I mean, we're from the same city, so I've heard great things. You know, he went to Jesuit, just like my brother did. And he's got a lot of family friends who have known him for a long time. And nothing but great things have been said. And I know him and Steve Kerr worked together for a couple of stints with Team USA. And Steve had nothing but great things to say. And so did my friends who have played for the Miami Heat. And I know it's a demanding atmosphere, and it's one that's really competitive. And that's what attracted me to being here. So that's something that I think reflects my mindset to a T. So that was an easy choice for me. One more for you, Coach, before you go. People have been making the comparison with Clay coming here at this point of his career to that when Ray Allen did as well. Do you think there's some validity to that comparison, or is there just a little more to that? Yeah, I haven't given it a lot of thought. I can see where people, you know, would make that comparison. And, I mean, that's one born out of great respect. They're two of the best and greatest that have done it like that. But what I would say to that is let's let this team have its own journey and its own identity, its own story. That's in the past, so that's a great part of our history. We're putting together this team for a new history. And we think we have, you know, the makings of something special. We'll get into the season and all the things that happened during the course of a long 82-game season to get ready for the playoffs. But we're just excited about the group that we have. And five weeks from now we're going to get to work at camp and create our own story. And hopefully it ends with something spectacular. Clay, without getting into the specifics, but it seems you made a significant sacrifice buyer-wise, contract-wise to be here. What made you at this stage of your career put aside maybe the financial to a degree that you so wanted to be with this team at this moment? That's a good question. I would say just the opportunity to play high-level basketball throughout the season and a chance to make a deep postseason run. Those things were so attractive to me. And obviously you want to maximize your earning potential as an athlete, but I've tasted winning before, and there's really nothing like it. Even getting there and failing is better than not even having a shot at it. So I'm not saying that's going to happen. I'm just saying the opportunity to win again at a very high level was so attractive to me. And looking at the roster, it looked like a great fit as far as me being on the space of floor and attacking the perimeter and have great health defenders behind me. And especially at this stage in my career, I get to play a specific role, and my voice will go a long way hopefully with this team. And just to lead by example. You've played a lot of different types of players, but Giannis is obviously pretty unique. How do you feel like you can help him? How do you feel like maybe he can help you in generating more quality shots? I mean, Giannis is one of the best players of all time and a two-time MVP obviously. He is a special talent, and great respect for him and what he's been able to accomplish and how he's gotten better every season. I think we can both just help each other, not just him, but we can help the whole team. I mean, just freeing him up for lanes of drive, for space to operate. And for myself, I'm going to get so many great looks playing off him and Bam and Wiggs and the rest of the guys because they create so much pressure going to the basket. And it's going to be fun just figuring out how we all fit together, what actions work well, and we can all screen for each other. It's going to be great, and we're all very versatile on both sides of the floor, being able to guard one through five, being able to lead the fast break. So it's almost like limitless what we can do, and I can't wait to get the whole squad together and see what works well and define our roles. It's really, really exciting. It's like coming to this building just gave me a whole new jolt of energy to be myself again. Clay, kind of working off that, you mentioned be yourself again. Giannis talked about it a bit when he was introduced about still, even at his stature and career he's had and winning in stats, to show more, to show you've still got it. How much is that a motivation for you as you get older and you've done all these things to show, hey, I can still be a quality player, productive player on a winning team? Oh, it's a huge motivator. Giannis has tasted winning before, just like I have, just like Bobby, Wiggs. Bam's been there twice. It's all you really want. It's the standard. Once you get there, it's like you'll do anything to go back. As athletes, we always have a chip on our shoulder. We always remember what motivates us, what gets us to tick. I still feel like I have a lot to prove, even in year 14, whatever it is, and I still feel like I can prove that by being on a winning team. That's all you could ask for is the opportunity. For myself and this upcoming season, it's kind of a redemption season for me to show I can still make an impact on winning and do it consistently. I just can't really wait to get to work. It's a pretty surreal being here, but what an honor it is. Clay, since you missed the time with the two significant injuries that you had, you've actually been durable. You've averaged more than 70 games a year over the past four years. Where do you think you are physically right now compared to where you were, say, three or four years ago? I still think I can do it at a high level. Like you said, the durability for me has been a huge plus. That's one thing that might have been questioned when I came back from all that time I had off. For me, those injuries are back in the past, and I don't even think about them anymore. It's nice to be able to just walk on the floor and play free-minded. Then on top of that, we were talking about a conditioning test last night, so I'm happy I've got five weeks to really prepare for the Miami regiment. I've got to get my treadmill back operating, but I'm really excited just to be pushed on a fitness level that I know will be so beneficial for me for this next season. A lot of players warn me about how tough it is, but I like hard stuff like that. I've been through harder things. Coming back from those injuries was harder than any conditioning drill or game I had to play in. In a weird way, those injuries prepared me for just uncomfortable feelings and just tough times. Now I take it head-on and I embrace them. Klay, welcome to Miami. You land yesterday, and you said you want to get a hold of your teammates. Who called you first? Who have you talked to, and what did they say to you as you get ready to be part of this franchise? Andrew was the first one to talk to me because I think he's the only one who had my cell phone number. It was good to talk to Wiggs. We've got a great history together. Winning a championship together was really awesome. He made my job so easy when I was with him because he's such a great defender. I didn't have to take the toughest assignment every night like I used to, and he really made my life easy. Bam just reached out to me. D. Mitch, I contacted him a little bit. I haven't talked to Giannis, but I think he's over in Greece. It's tough, but for us NBA guys, it's like we get a few months off and you see each other, it's like you don't miss a beat. There's mutual respect there, and we know how time-consuming the season is, so we might get away from each other a little bit for a month or two, but right in a couple weeks, we'll all be at it again. I actually saw Pele in Spain at the NBA Players Association Sanctuary to see his work ethic. I didn't know I was going to be his teammate, but I was really impressed with how much time he spent in the gym every day. I was like, that does seem like a Miami guy. I was very encouraged by his work ethic, and I'm just excited to get to know my new teammates. It's really an awesome opportunity to make new friends and connections. It's hard being an NBA player. Your career feels like it goes like that, but it's another opportunity to build something in a really great city. Clay, welcome to South Florida. How have you adjusted your game to adapt to aging and transitioning to a different role, and why do you think Coach Spohn, that he were the best fit to maximize your abilities at this stage of your career? Well, as you get older, you got to train differently, and it might not be the same workload on the court as it used to be, but it's a lot of the work that comes from the weight room and the training table and the body maintenance that requires to be effective at this stage in your career. So I still put the same amount of work in like I did 10 years ago. I just do it differently. I still get my shots up. The basketball part's easy. I love just playing ball. That's the easy part, but everything else is what makes you great. With Coach Spohn and his staff, I was just really attracted to the fact that they built such a well-rounded roster as far as having a great player like Giannis and everyone compliments him. I saw myself fit seamlessly because I can shoot the ball so well, and they're going to create so many good looks for me. I know they get their guys. They're very demanding of their fitness, and that really got me intrigued to be here because it will just help my game so much just being in the best shape possible. Hi, Clay. Casey Hans from Local 10 here in Miami. Welcome. Thank you. Does it kind of feel like as you enter the back end of your career here, maybe a full circle a bit for your family that you're back in a place where your father spent some time, and has he told you many stories about his days at Jackson High? Oh, yeah. He's told me so much about the Jackson 5 back-to-back state champions. He still claims to be the best high school team in Florida history. And he actually texted me yesterday. He's like, you have to go to my old gym. I'm going to put you on contact with the AD. You've got to go see where I grew my love for the game and go get shots up with the team and go meet the guys. And I'm absolutely going to do it because it's such a big part of the family history. And then being so close to the Bahamas for the first time in my life is so special. I get to play in front of my cousins, and my aunties. And I get to just have such a close connection to my family being in South Florida. It's so close to Nassau. So I'm really excited about that. And it feels just like a second home in a way. So I'm really just thrilled to be here. And then to be a part of a championship organization who's had some of the best moments in NBA history is the cherry on top. Clay, you talked before about playing off Giannis. You play with so many guys that demand two or three defenders at a time. But I guess what makes Giannis' doubles and triples different than some of the guys you've played with in the past, like Steph and some others? Well, I mean, they both have similar impact on the game. I play with, I think Giannis can be the third MVP I've been able to play with now, which is really cool. His interior scoring is one of the best ever. And his jump shot is greatly improved. Now you can't sag off him like you used to. He will make you, he will punish you. And he's just an incredible talent who has a great will to win. And I love being around guys like that who leave it all on the floor and really care about their craft. And that's what attracted me too. It's just like, wow, I get to play with another MVP caliber player. And that's rare. So I don't take this role I have lightly. Whatever it is, I'm not just happy to be here, but I'm just thrilled to have a defined role in this team. I'm trying to help guys with my experience and help guide the team through a roller coaster of the season because it's never easy when you're trying to chase what we're trying to do. Okay. Thank you, guys.