Kerr reveals when Klay's departure will be felt by the Warriors

Kerr reveals when Klay's Warriors departure will become concrete originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It will take some time for Warriors coach Steve Kerr to accept that Klay Thompson is no longer part of his team.

How much time exactly?

Kerr sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area's Kerith Burke to share his thoughts on when he thinks it will become clear that Thompson, an undisputed Golden State legend, is no longer part of the franchise.

“I probably won’t realize that Klay isn’t here until the first game when we go out without him,” Kerr told Burke. “There were so many little klayisms, nuances in pre-game meetings and walkthroughs. The humor he brought, the joy. Things will be weird without him.”

Thompson, who signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, will face his former coach and teammate of 12 seasons for the first time on Nov. 12 when his new team visits Chase Center.

Kerr knows emotions will run high that day.

“And then when he comes here with Dallas, it’s going to be an emotional night for sure,” Kerr added. “It was a difficult night in some ways, but I also look forward to welcoming him back and reminding him how much we love him.”

A four-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA player, Thompson has seen it all during his Hall of Fame career with the Warriors.

So will the 34-year-old sharpshooter be like other players and deliver an outstanding performance against his former team?

Kerr knows it's in Thompson's nature to always do his best.

“I wanted to say that I think Klay will shoot every time, but that wouldn't be a change from when he was here,” Kerr said. “The nice thing about Klay is the mentality he brings to the game. It's the same one that Steph brings with her. These guys are murderers. They come and want to rip your heart out.

“It's the same thing we've loved for the last decade. The same thing that made Klay who he is. He’s bringing this to Dallas, so we better be prepared.”

Aside from a well-deserved pregame ceremony honoring his legacy, the question of how Thompson's return will go remains one of the main topics of conversation as the Warriors' season begins.

One thing is certain, however: Dub Nation will be eagerly awaiting the return of its Splash brother.

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