NBA: 2-Time Champion Makes Bold Claim About Lakers, Warriors

The Golden State Warriors were dethroned by the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals and with Kevin Durant leaving for pastures new – read Brooklyn Nets - this summer and many are claiming that it is the end of the Warriors dynasty that saw them make five straight NBA Finals and claim five titles. But former 2-time NBA champion Mychal Thompson is not ready to write them off and believes they still have a chance.

Klay Thompson’s father believes the outcome would have been different if the Warriors had everyone fit for the finals against the Raptors. Steve Kerr’s side were missing their best player Kevin Durant until Game 5 of the finals owing to a calf injury while Thompson was ruled out in Game 5 with an ACL and DeMarcus Cousins had only returned from a quad injury.

Thompson senior is certain that the Warriors would have swept Kawhi Leonard and co if they had all their players in peak physical condition for the finals. The 64-year-old former power forward / center, who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, believes fitness will be the key for his former team in the 2019-20 season.

The Lakers signed Anthony Davis via trade from the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this summer and they are hoping he can join LeBron James and shoot them back into the playoffs after a six season hiatus. And the former 2-time NBA champion with the Lakers believes the two players if they remain fit for the entire campaign can help the purple and gold make a deep run in the playoffs.

Thompson senior also went on to make a bold claim about the outcome of the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers are considered the 2020 title favorites but the former Laker believes his former team and the Warriors will end up making the finals in the west. However, with his son playing for the Warriors and his dad having won two championships with the purple and gold it is certain that his predictions are biased.

“Obviously it all comes down to good health because I think if the Warriors would have stayed healthy they would have swept the Raptors. So if we [Lakers] can keep LeBron and AD [Anthony Davis] healthy, I think, I will make a prediction right now the Warriors and Lakers Western Conference finals,” Thompson said.