The playoffs are just one day away and the NBA could not be happier with some of the match-ups in the Western Conference. The San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks will have a showdown in Texas and the Houston Rockets will take on a very dangerous Portland Trail Blazers team. However, the one match-up that has everyone excited is the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Golden State Warriors.
While it might be too early to call it a rivalry, it is safe to say that these two teams are not very fond of one another. There is definitely some bad blood amongst both squads and it has become evident the last several times these teams have met. Whether its a shoving match, countless technical fouls, and ejections, these teams always produce some type of drama.
Now, the stakes are higher and it is win or go home. The Warriors have to travel to Los Angeles and try and steal one of the two games and home court advantage. While neither team needs anymore motivation, Klay Thompson decided to stir the pot:
Klay Thompson of @warriors on 95.7, abt Blake Griffin: “You see him flop sometimes like how can a guy that big and strong flop that much?”
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) April 16, 2014
Here we go! Klay Thompson on @957thegame “[Blake] is a good guy off the cour, but he plays pretty physical and flops a little bit.”
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 16, 2014
Thompson was the first to draw blood and he was not candid about it. On Wednesday he appeared on 95.7 The Game radio show in San Francisco and was spoke freely about his sentiments towards Blake Griffin. Thompson referred to Griffin as a “bull in a china shop”, often out of control and throwing elbows left and right. However, what caused all the commotion was when Thompson called out Griffin for flopping too much. Thompson does not understand how a man his size with his strength can flop so consistently.
Griffin did not have much to say in response, but surely he will be thinking about that when both teams take the court tomorrow. I hope the refs let the both teams play their game and for the sake of the fans don’t allow the officiating dictate the outcome of the game.