Dub Hub: Draymond Green downplays Klay Thompson unfollowing the Warriors on social media

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, June 17th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Draymond Green downplays Klay Thompson unfollowing the Warriors on social media.
• Curry Brands signs Nebraska guard and Japanese phenom Keisei Tominaga to a multi-year shoe deal.
• Former Hall of Fame player and NBA analyst Charles Barkley announces his retirment from television following next season.

The NBA Finals is set to end this week, marking the league-wide start of the 2024-25 offseason. The Golden State Warriors face several critical decisions this offseason, beginning with free agency where the team must decide what to do with long-time shooting guard Klay Thompson. While Golden State has made it known publicly they would like Thompson on the team next season, the two sides reportedly remain far apart in their contract negotiations.

Thompson’s side added more fuel to the speculation of him leaving after he supposedly unfollowed and removed all content pertaining to the Warriors on social media.

Now, this could just be a negotiating tactic from Thompson’s agent to pressure the Warriors into a favorable deal, or simply just his way of unplugging from NBA related content during the offseason. Regardless, his Warriors teammates don’t seem too concerned by the move. Draymond Green downplayed the whole situation, calling it “hilarious” on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show.

Moses Moody also downplayed Thompson’s unfollowing after going through a similar situation last year. He recalls people bringing up how he’s no longer following the Warriors’ social media account, even though he never followed them in the first place.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, June 16th:

Warriors News:

Draymond downplays Klay unfollowing Warriors on social media | NBC Sports Bay Area

“I think that’s comical. I know you all want somebody’s feelings to be hurt or something. It ain’t that, ain’t never going to be that. That’s hilarious.”

Star athletes unfollowing their team and/or temporarily removing posts from social media is a pretty common tactic among free-agent/disgruntled players today.

It oftentimes is much ado about nothing as athletes try to gain as much leverage in contract negotiations as they can, but it usually sends fans into a frenzy as a potential sign the player is preparing for a departure.

Dell recalls Steph’s tense draft night, honest pleas to Knicks | NBC Sports Bay Area

Dell explained how it all went down Thursday on the “Heat Check with Stephen and Dell Curry” podcast.

“So draft day, we’re in New York, I get a call from [ex-Warriors coach] Don Nelson,” Dell said. “He says, ‘Dell, you got a problem if we select Steph at No. 7? I said, ‘Yes, I do.’ He’s like, ‘What?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, we want him in New York.’ We talk for five or 10 minutes. He’s like, ‘Well if he’s there, we’re going to take him anyway.’ I’m like,’ It’s your choice. You asked me for my opinion, I gave it to you.’

“I’m glad he [picked Steph]. It all worked out.”

Brandin Podziemski asks Luka Doncic for advice on reading defenses prior to Game 4

Steph Curry’s shoe brand signs ‘Japanese Steph Curry’ to multi-year deal | SF Gate

Curry Brand announced Friday that the company has signed Keisei Tominaga, who has been nicknamed the “Japanese Steph Curry,” to a multi-year deal.

Tominaga played three years at the University of Nebraska and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors this past season when he averaged 15.1 points per game for the Cornhuskers, which included scoring 21 points in Nebraska’s lone NCAA Tournament game. He became a fan favorite in Lincoln, Nebraska, for his delightful reactions to big plays, with the school calling him “the greatest showman of college basketball.”

Klay Thompson responds to people in the comment section of his latest IG post

NBA News:

Mavericks’ NBA Finals blowout was impressive, but does it mean anything for Game 5? | The Athletic

Porziņģis, in his 44 minutes, has as many points in this series as Horford and Tillman combined in 132 minutes. Even when the Zinger hasn’t hurt Dallas from 3 (he’s only made two in his two games), he’s punished any switch by shooting straight over a helpless Mavs defender from the free-throw line area. Boston is plus-25 in his limited run, a figure that stood out even before Game 4’s carnage to his teammates’ stats.

Thus, Porziņģis playing in Game 5 would be a big item tilting the dial back in Boston’s favor, not only due to his quality but also by removing the Tillman minutes and giving Horford some extended relief. The Celtics had Porziņģis active for Game 4 but opted not to play him; it’s reasonable to think he could give it a go Monday.

2024 NBA Finals: Kyrie Irving respectfully calls Celtics a cult, but playing in Boston is certainly a different vibe | Yahoo Sports

Kyrie Irving, in the most affectionate, respectful way, called it a cult. Not in the Jim Jones kind of way, but in regard to the pressure and the expectations being real, with full buy-in.

“You have to show your respect here,” Irving said ahead of Monday’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals. “I think that’s what I struggled with initially, was figuring out how I’m going to be a great player here while winning championships and also leading a team and selflessly joining the Celtics’ organization or the cult that they have here.

“That’s what they expect you to do as a player. They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics’ pride, buy into everything Celtics. And if you don’t, then you’ll be outed.”

NBA Analyst Charles Barkley announces he will retire from television after next season

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Dub Hub: Steph Curry lists the Top 5 players from his era

During one of the episodes, the father and son pair discuss the top five players of their respective eras. While Dell’s top five of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal featured players during his career spanning from 1986 to 2002; Steph had his choice of current players to choose from starting in 2009. His list included himself, alongside fellow superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. Curry also gave mentions to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, as well as his Warriors’ teammates.

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