Klay Thompson's Father Mychal Says Reaction to All-NBA Snub Wasn't About Money

Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson went viral last week after for his response to not being voted onto any of the All-NBA squads, a snub that prevented him from being eligible for a supermax contract this summer. However, Thompson's father, Mychal, has let it be known that money was not the reason for his son's reaction.

"Everybody is saying it's about money, but it's not," Mychal told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami last week. "It's about recognition for his two-way contribution."

When Thompson was informed by reporters that he had not made any of the three All-NBA teams, he scoffed and let it be known he didn't think there were six guards in the league better than him, via The Athletic's Anthony Slater:

He added that he'd rather be a champion than third-team All-NBA, though.

Had Thompson been selected to one of the three teams, he would have been eligible to sign a five-year, $221 million supermax deal with Golden State this summer. Instead, he will have to "settle" for $191 million if he is looking to max out with the team.

While missing out on $30 million like that could be tough to swallow, Mychal—a two-time NBA champion himself—kept things in perspective, per Kawakami:

"Yeah, it's a lot of money. But when you are talking about the astronomical numbers that the best NBA players make, you can't quibble over it because you’re still making generational-changing money. Too many people out there struggling in the world to make ends meet for anybody to be whining about not making $30 million more."

Thompson was able to shake off a slow start to finish the year at 40.2 percent from beyond the arc, draining 241 three-pointers. Meanwhile, he is also viewed as one of the team's top defenders. And his ability to make an impact on both ends of the court is what has Mychal believing his son was wronged:

"Frankly, I thought that the media was more savvy about what it takes to be a champion. Not just focusing on one side of the court—you need both sides consistently to get to the level where the Warriors are at, why they’re such a great team. Put the focus on both sides.

"I was hoping he'd be rewarded for his two-way play with this team. I was very disappointed that he didn't get named to one of the teams because, to me, he and Stephen (Curry) are the greatest backcourt in the history of the game. How can a member of the greatest backcourt in the history of the game not be All-NBA?"

Klay made it clear that his only focus was winning a championship, and perhaps this snub will have him playing with a chip on his shoulder as the Warriors chase a three-peat as well as their fourth title in five years.