Former NBA Player Criticizing League's Treatment of Aging Stars

Klay Thompson has been making some headlines recently. Unfortunately, it hasn’t all been from his basketball play. Since leaving the Golden State Warriors for what Klay was hoping would be a greener pasture in Dallas, he has struggled. That, however, doesn’t take away from his already Hall of Fame-level career.

Because of these struggles, some players have used this as the moment to finally talk trash to Thompson. There have been two recent incidents where younger players have been talking smack to Thompson, to which he’s had some pretty killer comebacks.

Former NBA player and podcaster Matt Barnes spoke about these incidents recently, saying it is part of a bigger issue around the league. 

“This has really been bothering me because Klay Thompson, to me, is one of the coolest, most down-to-earth, nicest dudes. He doesn’t bother anyone, doesn’t mess with anybody — just plays with his dogs and goes out on his boat. Klay is just so cool. When I start seeing the disrespect toward Klay, I think it speaks to a bigger issue — the climate we live in now. You can’t age out gracefully anymore. LeBron is a perfect example. No matter how much greatness he’s given us — whether you love him or hate him — people are still going to find a way to criticize him. And Klay, obviously, after having those two major injuries, he’s not the same guy. But I hate seeing these young dudes talking trash. And I try, man — I try to give Ja Morant so much grace. Like, I rock with J, bro. But he’s been doing some b, man. We try to defend him — probably more than we should — because we see the potential.”

Barnes is right. The age of just tipping your cap to legends, no matter what, is over. There are new levels to the NBA hierarchy, and the younger the league is getting, the less respect there is for veterans.