Kobe Bryant gave Klay Thompson a gift he’ll never forget Sunday after the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the biggest upset in NBA history over the Golden State Warriors, 112-95.
Bryant gave Thompson his game worn jersey, which he signed with a special message which read: “To Klay, It’s been a pleasure watching you grow into the player you are! Keep going!”
The two players have been tight for a long time, as mentioned by Serena Williams of Lakers Nation. Thompson was a big fan of Bryant’s growing up and ended up developing a relationship with the legendary shooting guard during workouts at UC Irvine.
Sunday represented the final time in which Bryant and Thompson will have played one another in the NBA.
The Black Mamba showed up in a big way early for the Lakers, who shocked Golden State. He ended up scoring 12 points in the victory.
Thompson, on the other hand, struggled mightily, along with Stephen Curry. Between the two of them they went 1-for-18 from behind the three-point line, which was the worst showing from the dynamic duo in their short history.
The loss must have stung badly, and judging from the body language of Thompson and the Warriors they won’t soon forget the beating they took from Bryant’s Lakers.
At least for Thompson, though, getting this parting gift from Bryant should serve as a momentary salve and a motivator for what’s to come as Golden State attempts to make history the rest of the way.