Klay Thompson regrets his '4 rings' taunt toward Devin Booker
Klay Thompson holds up 4 fingers for his championship rings after being ejected in an Oct. 25, 2022 game in Phoenix.
Klay Thompson served as a featured guest for Paul George’s podcast, “Podcast P,” and was asked by George about the times he talked trash to players in the league. In particular, Thompson looked back on a moment from last season when tempers flared with Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.
Good chance you won't see Klay flexing his 4 rings to opponents again pic.twitter.com/xOXLGZqfW6
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) August 7, 2023
As Thompson reflected on that moment, the Golden State Warriors’ star guard wasn’t pleased with the way he handled himself at that time. The incident took place during an Oct. 25 game last season which the Suns won, 135-104.
“Yeah, I was in my feelings though and Book was busting my ass that day,” Thompson told George on the podcast. “I was not where I needed to be. God. You know stuff doesn’t age well and that didn’t age well for me. I don’t need to be flexing four rings, bro, like everybody know that. That’s on Wikipedia. My game wasn’t where it was at and we all get insecure at times.
Thompson struggled mightily in that game, going 1-for-8 from the field for two points and two assists in 18 minutes. Booker, however, did not struggle: he had 34 points (on 10-for-19 shooting), two rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Both teams lost their cool at various times during the third quarter of that game, as seven technical fouls called in less than six minutes. Thompson received two quick technicals and was ejected after having words with Booker, who also received a technical because of the exchange.
Devin Booker ran wild in an Oct. 22, 2022 win vs. the Warriors.
At one point during the argument, Thompson held up four fingers to signify the four championships the Warriors have won over the past decade. It was the five-time All-Star’s first career ejection in 651 regular season games.
”I love Klay Thompson, I have for a really long time,” Booker said. ”But that doesn’t excuse us from being competitive and talking to each other. I’ve always admired his game, how he plays on both sides of the ball, and obviously the rings speak for themselves.
”But I’m going to bring it every time.”
Thompson shared the deep respect he has for Booker for staying with the Suns as they have grown from a rebuilding team to a contender all while garnering All-Star and All-NBA status along the way.
“I’m man enough to admit that we all have our moments of weakness,” Thompson said on George’s podcast. “I’m not really proud of that one. Cause I see Devin Booker and I should be like, man, I should be proud of this young man. The work he’s put in.
“He survived a tough regime in Phoenix where everyone getting traded, he’s playing for a new coach every year but now he’s a franchise player cause he just kept working. So, I admire the guys who have work ethic like that, you know?”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
