Monte Poole and Dalton Johnson discuss whether the Warriors should be concerned after Klay Thompson unfollowed them on Instagram.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA championship, establishing themselves as the best star duo in basketball.
However, there was a time when Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and the Warriors dominated the league, making five consecutive NBA Finals appearances and winning four titles.
Despite their on-court success, former NBA guard Evan Turner told Andre Iguodala on their “Point Forward” podcast that Curry and Thompson failed to capitalize on their fame, missing opportunities that younger stars are now seizing.
“The best is still coming,” Turner said. “These kids are doing incredible things. If you look at Jayson and Jaylen, they’re on top. Imagine if Klay and Steph weren’t so ‘corny.’ They had the world in a chokehold.”
Curry is a 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time scoring champ, two-time NBA MVP, and Finals MVP. Thompson is a five-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team member. Their 3-point shooting revolutionized basketball, but Turner believes they missed out on marketing opportunities off the court.
Iguodala pointed out that Tatum faces similar perceptions, but Turner clarified his comments, emphasizing that Curry and Thompson could have better leveraged their success.
“I’m not calling Steph and Klay corny,” Turner said. “I’m saying they missed marketing opportunities. Steph Curry shoes should be like Jordans. The worst thing that happened to them was firing Mark Jackson, losing a key marketing angle.”
Despite not capitalizing on certain marketing opportunities, Curry and Thompson have found significant success and happiness. If being a four-time NBA champion is “corny,” then it’s a status many would gladly embrace.