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32 Months After Klay Thompson’s “Out of the League” Mockery, Stephen Curry & Co Sign 32-Year-Old Pistons’ Reject

Published 09/25/2023, 10:50 PM EDT

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The fundamental principle of sports prevails in the NBA, as the teams’ interests suppress individual beliefs. Stephen Curry and Co. showcased that recently as they signed a 32-year-old reject, despite Klay Thompson sharing a past with him. 32 months after Klay’s mockery of the former Detroit Pistons star, he would join him as his newest teammate.

Thompson’s words came back to haunt him ahead of the upcoming season. This gave rise to an interesting dynamic within the team as the news spread like wildfire due to the incident.

What had Klay Thompson said about his latest ally?

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According to recent reports from Shams Charania, the Golden State Warriors have signed Rodney McGruder. The Dubs were looking to add several veteran free agents to their roster before the start of their training camp. Rodney suited the profile that the franchise was looking for as he would land in San Francisco soon.

 

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The confirmation brought attention to a controversy that started nearly 3 years ago from a post-match discussion. In January 2021, the Warriors defeated McGruder’s Pistons 118-91 in the Chase Center, leaving their newest addition angry. Thus, after the match, he exchanged a few heated words with Juan Toscano-Anderson, which caught Klay’s attention.

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The 4-time NBA champion was doing guest commentary in that game as he was still rehabilitating from his injury. Upon seeing the moment unfold, he mocked the opposition guard, saying, “This dude might be out of the league soon”. The Splash Brother added, “He is probably mad about that,” sparking a drama from that interaction.

Thankfully, the situation did not escalate as the 32-year-old made no comments on the remarks. It has now done him a world of good as the duo looks set to share the court, as the fans have already started anticipating one aspect.

What will Rodney McGruder bring to Stephen Curry and Co.?

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A versatile veteran who can play both as a forward and a guard is what the roster needs at this point in time. So, the franchise has wasted no time in making arrangements to get it done. Coming off the bench, Rodney could become a great utility player for a team that is already stacked in those positions.

His prior experience in playoffs could prove to be valuable for a side aiming for the championship. Despite never registering unthinkable numbers as a rotation player, McGruder may bring stability. After all, his seven years of experience in the league is what the Warriors are after.

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What Thompson did 32 months ago was a sign of respect for his teammate. The shooting guard never had anything personal against the ex-Piston. So, it should not affect their chemistry on the court as the organization looks set to rely on both of them.

Watch This Story: “Without Kevin Durant, LeBron (James) Got Steph in His Backpocket”: ex-Teammates Give Lakers Superstar an Upper Edge For the 5th Ring

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Written by:

Sourav Bose

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Sourav is a detail-oriented NBA content writer at EssentiallySports. His passion for the game of basketball was ignited by none other than the captivating duo of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr. As he delved into the illustrious history of the NBA, his fascination grew exponentially.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe