Winning lured Thompson south

MIAMI (AP):

Klay Thompson says he already feels right at home in Miami, and there are several reasons why.

His father, Mychal Thompson, starred on the Miami Jackson High team that won a state title in 1974. His brother, Mychel Thompson, attended the same Oregon high school as Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. He also has many relatives in nearby The Bahamas, making this the closest he has lived to them during his NBA career. And, fittingly, the news conference introducing him as the Heat’s newest player started late because of Miami’s notorious traffic.

“I know it’s a demanding atmosphere,” Thompson said. “That’s what attracted me to being here.”

Thompson, who ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list, cleared waivers on Sunday following his buyout from the Dallas Mavericks and quickly finalised a two-year deal worth approximately US$11.5 million later that day. He will join Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and former Golden State teammate Andrew Wiggins in Miami. The second year of the contract is a player option.

Left money on the table

The veteran guard said he left roughly US$10 million on the table for the opportunity to join the Heat, insisting that the chance to win was his primary motivation.

“I’ve tasted winning before, and there’s really nothing like it,” said Thompson, who won four NBA championships with Golden State during the era in which he and Warriors guard Stephen Curry formed the “Splash Brothers” backcourt that revolutionised three-point shooting. “The opportunity to win again at a very high level was so attractive to me.”

A five-time All-Star, Thompson holds the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a game with 14. He has made at least 10 three-pointers in a game on nine occasions and enters the upcoming season just 74 three-pointers shy of Ray Allen, a former Heat guard, for third place on the league’s all-time list.

His arrival marks the latest major move in a busy offseason for Miami. The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in a deal that sent Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis to the Bucks. Miami also added another proven perimeter threat in Tim Hardaway Jr, who grew up in the city while his father played for the franchise.

“There’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on our team this year,” Spoelstra said. “This is what we wanted.”

Spoelstra described Thompson as “one of the best who’s ever done it” and praised the qualities he will bring to the Heat.

“We’re very excited about this,” Spoelstra said. “We’ve always had great respect for him. He’s a highly, highly decorated champion. … He knows how to win. He knows how to help others. He has a great IQ for the game. And defensively, he has pride in being a legitimate two-way basketball player.”

Thompson said he is eager to get the full squad together and begin preparations for the season, describing the potential of the revamped Heat roster as “limitless”.

“It’s kind of a redemption season for me to show I can still make an impact on winning and do it consistently,” Thompson said. “I can’t wait to get to work. It’s pretty surreal being here. But what an honour it is.”