January 17, 2022 • 38 mins
Hosted by Sarah Kustok, NBA Flashback is the podcast that takes you back to the best moments in NBA history through exclusive archival audio from the NBA vault, along with new interviews with the players and coaches who were in the building.
In this episode of NBA Flashback we go back to Jan. 23rd, 2015 and relive the night Klay Thompson destroyed an NBA record and scored 37 points in the 3rd quarter as the Warriors beat the Kings at Oracle Arena. We talk with Klay's teammate, the Brazilian Blur, Leandro Barbosa about why he was jealous of Klay, Draymond Green drawing up plays, and even what the team did in the locker room after the game.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
NBA Flashback is a production of I Heart Radio and
the NBA. Thompson switch the paint on the gold Flatter,
got it play? Thompson gives the Warriors the lead. It's
play Jompson show, He's not human trying in. Clay Thompson,
(00:31):
one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, has recently
returned to the court for the Warriors in two and
we all loved every minute of Clay Day. Thrilled to
see him back on the court. But today we're talking
about the night in when he got hotter in one
quarter than anyone has ever seen. I'm sarahcuse Stock and
(00:54):
you're listening to NBA Flashback, the show that takes you
back to the greatest moments in NBA history, using archival
audio from the NBA as well as new interviews with
the players and coaches were in the building. On today's
episode of NBA Flashback, we go back to just a
few years ago when Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars was
(01:16):
the biggest song in the world and Disney had to
ban selfie sticks from their parks to make sure guests
we're safe from getting hit with the sticks of the face.
We're talking with former six Man of the Year NBA
champion and a fourteen year NBA vet, the Brazilian blur,
Leandro Barbosa, about a game where his Warriors teammate Clay
(01:37):
Thompson had the greatest scoring quarter in NBA history with
thirty seven points, and not a single King's player was
safe from getting a killer Clay Thompson jumper right in
their face. Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Barnett, and Ros Golden woulde
called the action on CSN Bay Area starting lineups for
(02:04):
the Warriors, So will be Steph Curry at Clay Thompson,
Harrison Barnes, Grandmon Green and Andrew Bogan for Sacramento and
Ty Corbin, Darren Collinson, Ben mcilmore would be gave Derrick
Williams and DeMarcus Cousins now are Ego donand will not play.
He's being arrested. Steve Kerves gonna have a pattern of
that was several Warriors. We're joined now by Leandro Barbosa
(02:28):
and Leandrow. Thank you so much for coming on. I
want you to take us back. Do you remember what
you were thinking that night back in when Clay dropped
thirty seven in the third quarter. Oh no, I remember exactly.
You know why I remember because I was mad at
did I was mad because I used to back cop Clay.
(02:49):
So when he started making shots, I knew I wasn't
going to play. They forgot about play. That's what I'm
talking about, overplaying. I wanted to aggressive, to you use
top fakes, and all of a sudden, his patience paid
off there beautifully, John Dude, the fends just disappar and
how you see him now, you don't little move. But
then it became fun because he started making shots from
(03:12):
all over the place and the fans got into you know,
and it was ridiculous. But we didn't know he was
going to score thirty seven points in one quarter. You know,
the whole bench, it was crazy. The whole arena was
was crazy. Cut at the same situation that Curry was
going to be the record. It was the same thing
at that night, but it was special because no one
(03:36):
knew that he was gonna make thirty seven points in
one quarter. I can't forget that night because I wanted
to play and I end up not playing. But I
was happy for him. It was special because he did
what he did and everybody got his back, you know.
So it was unbelievable night, le Andrew. Those are such
beautiful sentiments and we appreciate hearing now. I wanted you
(04:00):
to take us back though, because you having played in
the league for so long. Sometimes those mid and January
games are a little bit of a grind. You're playing
the Kings who were struggling, but it felt like you
guys out of the gates, were focused and we're ready
for this one. Do you remember the mindset of that
one or just kind of putting into perspective what that
(04:22):
team was like throughout the course of the season and
in particular against up against the team that you know,
on paper may not have stacked up to your group.
Well at that time, I don't think people believe in
our team. I think uh as a vet, you know,
and being a couple of times on the Western Conference finals,
(04:44):
I knew that we had the right group to do it,
but a lot of the people didn't used to talk
about our team or maybe say that we are a
contender team, and every game it was a game for
us to win, compete and win and prove to other
people that they were wrong. Three man, Once I saw
(05:06):
that we had opportunity to do at all. It became special.
And I came up to Andrew Goodala and Sean living
Stool and I came up to them and I said, man,
we can make something special. Let's believe. Let's make the
other players believe. Right now we are the underdogs, and
then we start believing in ourselves on our team, play
(05:28):
each other. Everybody accepted their role. Because Andrea Goodala was
coming from a team that he was starting. Everybody on
the bench couldn't start in a different team. And we
accepted that role. Stevin made uh some way somehow, everybody
take that role and be quiet. Let's do it for
(05:50):
each other, and we did it. Don't like that aspect
of this game. And it was so fun and happening
that we were playing the games like if we were
playing the parking. So it was. It didn't became like
it wasn't serious, but we knew we had a responsibility. Also,
(06:12):
it was just fun for play the way we were playing.
The fans always louder for us. It was just a
special playing that back to lor at the top tops
it on the counter attack three point and there are
some boys checking it in and they needed a little
(06:33):
time This is an amazing dispoint on offensive prowess m
defency too. I don't think that will ever happen again.
You know, like that group, the way we were family,
We used to do everything together. But you talk about
it being a special group, and you were on some
special teams. I mean you were on some great Soun's
teams with Steve Nash. Did this team at all reminds
(06:56):
you of any of those Phoenix teams? Yes? Actually, when
I brought to the team, I think Stevie wanted me
to give you the example of the running gun of
the Phoenix Suns. When Nashi got to the Phoenix Suns,
he brought a style of basketball that we didn't have
in the league. Back door pass off, the drivel from
(07:18):
Nash to Barbosa. Yeah, a little delayed to Nash is
so tricky with the basketball. Since he changed the basketball
with the Phoenix Suns, calling like running gun, it changed
the host style of the NBA. And once we did that,
I think Steve thought that I was gonna be a
piece to kind of help the young guys, especially Clay
and Curry, to do the same thing, but playing defense,
(07:42):
because with the Phoenix Suns we didn't play difference at all.
It was all about offense. Final So I guess theer
was watching, Now, what did nice drop off there? What
I passed by? The actual records the Suns time. So
with the Golden State Warriors, we had to play difference.
That's where I actually started playing difference when I got
(08:03):
to the Golden State Warriors, because if I didn't play difference,
I wouldn't have minutes. So that was the main thing.
Show the guys the example how we used to do
with the Phoenix sunse and they were taught really well.
You know, our difference was really really good. Our offense
was even better. It was just automatic things that happened
(08:24):
on the court. We didn't used to call plays. We
we used to do a really good job on the
differency standpoint, and then once we get the ball, we
just run like the kids, you know, and whoever is
in the front or in the better position to score
the ball with the score. That's how it was, and
and that's why it became so fun because everybody was scoring,
(08:46):
and every time one of us me Eggy and all
the other guys from the bench was on the court
with staff or Clay, we would do everything to get
them open. It was just automatic, you know. Yeah, there
was a big man that that got those two and
got all of you open a lot Andrew Bogan. Bogan
(09:09):
has always had because he was number when you go
through the list and the players and everyone that helped
that offense to run. You know how much Steph and
Clay love running off him and him setting screens. Don't
get set some screens and he called the Turk side
of the moon and play tops and and staff are
benefited for the big Man. Can you describe the value
(09:30):
that he brought to that group and to your offense?
Big value. You know, Bogan is a very good friend
of mine, and I played so many times against him
and I didn't know he was that good into be
his teammate on customers. He likes to score over him
all the game within the game, and the big man
battle loves the challenge. He done the little details. You know.
(09:53):
He preferred to pass the ball and get you open,
then you know, score for himself. And that was the
key for our team. We started thinking the same way
that Boga was used to think. You know, you would
do his best to get somebody open in a better
position or situation to score regardless. He was doing the
(10:14):
little details and defensively too, right. Defensively, it was so
good blocking, you know. And he also a good passer,
you know, he said screens, good screens, good passer. He
could be our point guard, which many of the times
you were. It was amazing, you know. I think that
nothing would have happened if we didn't have him. It
(10:34):
would be totally a different scenario. So he was a
really bi key of our group at that year and
the following year. I think there's a lot of things
that always stood out about that group and that year
when you think about it. But some of it was
just you guys scoring in bunches. You go on runs
that were just crazy. And so in this game, in
(10:56):
particular against Sacramento, you guys go on a run in
the first quarter to nothing run. But what was it
about your group and about that team that you were
able to flip a switch and and go on a
run and just blow teams out of the water. Well,
we we knew we were a good team, right, but
(11:18):
we knew also that no one respect to us. The
only way to do that it was just playing ball.
The Warriors against Houston finished the house on run answered here.
You ever watched The Wizard of Oz? Of course, remember
when the house landed on the Witch. That's what these
warrior runs are like. They just destroyed teams at times.
(11:40):
I want to ask you though, going back, because for
as much as you talk about the way you guys
generated so much offense out of your defense and how
you were able to play, Clay had thirty seven of
that third quarter. He has had some big offensive nights,
but early in the game he had a couple of
unbelievable blocks, some steals. What about Clay on the defensive end,
I think he plays one of the best defenders that
(12:03):
I ever played with and against, And obviously as a
coach now I've been going and play a lot of
one on one, three on three, four and four, and
I can see that he really has a talent to
guard people. He knows the details, little things you know
(12:24):
that a lot of the players in the NBA doesn't know,
and he knows. He's such a smart you know, moving
his feet and and you know the knowledge you where
they often see it's gonna go. So he's really good
on that, you know. But I didn't know until I
got to the team and play with him, you know,
and see his guarding always the best players on the
(12:47):
other team, you know, so I only see one guy
doing that, which was I'm not comparing him, but I
only see Michael Jordan's doing that, playing on the decency
standpoint and also on the office standpoint, and he does that,
and I really appreciate and respected the way he does
on the difference, the way that he likes to play
difference is and in the office is just automatic, you know,
(13:10):
it's he just catching shoe. They really nice release that
he has is just unbelievable, you know. So it was
just so much fun to play with him, and now
just watching him practicing, you know how hungry he used
to coming back play what he loves to do, you know,
it's just amazing. You know. I'm just so happy to
(13:31):
be part of that. You know. I'm curious from you
as you talked about that you would get more minutes
and maybe a little bit more playing time depending on
what was happening. At the end of the half. You
guys were only up five and Clay was three and
nine from the field playing out to warm up three
and the kids are just bullets here. You're not gonna
(13:53):
see Stephord plays those type of looks very often for
someone like you who was a veteran obviously a vocal player.
What type of player teammate is Clay? Do you talk
to him? Do you give them words of encouragement? Do
you do what? What's the interaction like at that time
with a player like Clay in the locker room if
(14:15):
he's maybe not not shooting quiet as well or getting
as many touches as you may see on a typical night.
At that moment, Clay wasn't the experience. You know, he
was younger, and like you said, I was the fat
and I know the best thing that he knows how
to do and how he does is so great is
shooting the ball. And most of the time when he
(14:38):
wasn't having a good night, he would have put his
head down, and I al was used to tell him,
keep your head up. Why you you have your head down?
You didn't do nothing wrong, You just missing the shot.
Get focused and stay with it. Next one is going
to go in. Keep it positive, you know, keep shooting.
We want you to shoot the ball. And if I'm there,
what you on the core, I'm gonna try to do
(15:00):
my best to get you open, so you do what
you do best. And he always say okay, okay, okay,
And he knows he was our main guy on that team.
You know, he knew that he has to play good
in order for us to be successful. And like I said,
keep shooting, keep shooting, don't worry about the miss. We
(15:21):
would do the rest. You just shoot the ball. And
he keeps shooting and shooting. Then when he got hot,
when he gets hot him or Curry gets hot, forget
about What about theo with with the Marcus Cousins boogie,
because he had it going early in the third before
Clay really got going, boogie was absolutely dominating. I'm gonna
(15:44):
get to that. That's he's having a heck of the game,
Cousin says. The Sacramento was going for eighteen down, you
know that their second lead of the ball game, and
Steph Curry, I'm going to get to the line. The
words have to show hit that kind of bouncing their step,
that little life that they had that first quarterback. Be
a little more vocal, a little more demonstrated. Get the
crowd back into it. The Warriors have missed their last
(16:06):
eight threes. It was seven or fourteen, and they got
over eight since because he's just gonna go on on
one and that's almost illegal to be that good on
the box and be that smoing on around. How tough
of a matchup was he for teams and just in
(16:27):
terms of game planning, what you guys had to do
to try and slow him down. He was really happy
at that moment, but then he got really upset by
us murdering his team and seeing what Clay was doing.
So he was like angry getting the fight with his teammates.
It was crazy. So he wasn't happy about to see
(16:50):
what was going on, what Clay was doing with his team.
One guy was doing everything and nobody was able to stop.
If I was on the other team, I wouldn't be
angry too, you know. So at that point he lost
the focus that he had for the big minutes that
he has in the first half coming up. It's halftime.
(17:13):
The Splash brothers are struggling, but that is about to
change in a big way and we are going to
witness something truly special, said Brettle. More under control there.
I thought he rushed it the first half a few times,
but he made that little pivot and he's expecting Cousins
to close. He wasn't there, so he just went up.
(17:34):
He took a little jump shot. All right. So I
have a question because you mentioned that at times offensively,
you guys wouldn't run any sets, You just free flow.
Steve Kerr said that at halftime he was so angry
(17:55):
with how you guys were playing that he wasn't gonna
call plays anymore. At halftime, I was sewing. I told
the guys, run whatever you want, like I'm not calling
any any place, because it's not about what place we call,
it's it's are we going to decide to focus? So
run whatever you want. And as Alvin would say, they
ran two plays, get the ball to Clay and Clay
(18:17):
get the ball you know those those are the two
two plays they were Clay. Steve said that at halftime
he was pretty angry with you guys. And then coming
out in the third quarter, how quickly did was that forgotten?
That anger? How quickly after you started? Uh went on
that run. We retired at sixties sixty and Steve just honestly,
(18:38):
he said at halftime he wasn't gonna call anything. He
wasn't gonna call any places. You know, just let us
figure it out and make us get our focus back.
That's what we did. We respawned well when he gets
honest and he knows how to get on our skin.
Do you remember that, Yeah? I do remember. We don't
even remember. Many times Steve was on a sideline asking
for us to call certain plays and we don't need
(19:01):
to look at him. I mean he was rolling. Clay
was rolling, playing great defense, grat the cops. And when
he comes up the steel, say, Thompson sets his feet
and then we were three point drives. They needed that.
He did it with defense. First he started scoring and
he was a missing at all and everything was, you know,
(19:24):
on his way, and we just god, play gold, Clay,
have fun, keep going, don't stop. You know Lay Thompson
tripping guests, they could be streaky and streaky good. We
talked on the court and a couple of times, you know,
when I was on the huddle, I said, man, keep
you passing the ball to Clay Man. Don't worry about
(19:46):
the plays. If he opened just past making his score,
with how many points he has to score, you know,
it's his night. Giving the ball to him, Give the
ball to him. And Steve got mad with that. But
it was working. We were making basket. He's trying to
deny and play the ball barely in his hands and
right in the bucket. They tried everything they could possibly
(20:08):
do to stop Clay and they could, you know, ops
of three, how he's feeling it, that's not absolutely feeling it.
Flay Thompson the footer twenty six in the game, and
Clay was like motivating, you know, every time he would
have made the basket, he wanted to do the next
one and wouldn't do the best we could on the
(20:28):
defense to get the ball and give it to him
back five for five. Yeah, he wants a heat checking
Cousins right now on the five for five until these
three threes. That's a deep one he shot up for nights.
Oh man, that's a study eight thunder even stat he
(20:49):
stopped shooting to pass the Clay, you know, and make
it more fun. And we heard about that eight fter
again from Stephan post game the third three May where
he was calling for a screen out and just pulled
up and made it. And then after that it was
just get him the ball anyway we could, I mean,
abandon any place that that we usually run and just
(21:11):
either to pin down or just trying to get him
the ball and make up make a play. And in
the rest of the issue, you did the thirty seven,
but we want to do it fifty, you know, whatever
he could, but it was thirty seven. The number was
thirty seven. Uh so Clay a thirty seven points. There
was a lot of different ways that he was scoring.
Of course, there's some some long range three point shots,
(21:33):
all sorts of intermediate game. But there was a break
where Steph tosses a lab up to Clay and he
hammers it down. What was the connection, right, Yeah, you
remember that we're going to one blob. Player's got that
(21:54):
kind of elevation you kind of hold her, hold your breath.
So they started out blob. He got up, didn't realize
play could get off like that. What was the connection?
I mean, we see it now and we've continued to
see it, but but at that point, how would you
describe the connection between Steph and Clay. Well, they played
together for several years before I get to that team,
(22:14):
you know, before Steven made that team together. You know,
they are very good friends. They understand really well on
the court, and that's why people call them the Splash brothers.
You know, the connection always been there. They know how
to play together. They respected each other, and I think
it whenever they are together on the court, it just happened,
(22:35):
you know. I mean, I think he when I used
to play with Steve Nash, you know, I knew when
he looked at me, I knew what he was he
wanted me to do. It tells the drill Barbosa hand
in the face forcing the miss and by Grant Hill
quickly clears it. The Nashal had Barbosa and the player
put the finishing touch. That is a trademark sons fast barade.
How about that look by Nash Barbosa with the finish
(22:58):
Steve Nash night Nash to a streaking Barbosa. You dare
not look away. I missed it. I didn't. I looked
up in it's a layout. What unbelievable fast. I think
he's the same thing with clay and stuff, you know.
So I don't have no doubt that they do communicate
on the court without speaking each other, you know. I
(23:20):
think by look they know what they want to do,
you know, together And I'm sure that happened at that
moment and it's still happening in every moment that they
are together on the court during the middle of this run,
and Clay obviously scoring so much, but he has a
beautiful fine Draymond under the basket. We're just trying to
four Street the hot hand. No one's hotter than Clay,
(23:42):
and he gets it to Draymond, dream Flake Thompsons staring
everything there do all the scoring, didn't want to focus
the defense a week it possible too well, he's responsible solid,
forget the just his ability to still play so unselfishly.
(24:06):
How much was that a characteristic of this group and
of Clay to still play in such an unselfish way.
I think I think he learned how to play that way,
you know, not only himself. I think Curry too, you know,
because Curry does what he does and he's still passing
the ball and getting teammates involved, and and Clay is
(24:27):
the same thing. I think when Steve got to this team,
and I'm sure Mark Jackson, you know, cheach staff and
play how to play the right way, you know, And
once I got to the team and Steve got to
the team, Steve just continue to give you the way
to play basketball, you know, like sharing the ball. We
(24:50):
know that the two players on the team. They're gonna
take the most shots. Is Clay and Staff we're gonna
work for. You know, those guys be open on the core,
but they also know that when they don't have the shot,
they have to you know, share the ball and the
steal car's gonna find him playing Tree. Oh forty Tois's
(25:19):
career entrees one point office career best, but a towny
seven point porter to be hot, smart, remarkable. That's what
made our team be successful because we were sharing, we
were moving and and made our basketball really special, you know,
and made more people get interested in watch the Golden
(25:42):
State Warriors get it to Clay Thompson again. Proud standing,
TI be trying again. I stry nine in the third
(26:06):
two in the game, he's outscol of the Keys to
the nine nineteen in this part. I remember at that moment,
almost close to the playoffs at that year, I remember
that many players that I play against wanted to come
to the Golden State Warriors to play that beautiful basketball
that we were playing, you know, and we were sharing
the ball. It wasn't no selfish and believe it or not,
(26:29):
we had players that could be selfish on my team
because so many weapons, you know, so many guns, and
we took that role. Like I said, we were sharing,
we were family, We had the chemistry. Everything we're in
the same time. You know, it worked out in the
same way, and it was beautiful basketball. Draymond was a
(26:50):
big part of that. During this run that Clay was
having Steve curse that Draymond was calling plays for Clay
in the huddle. Yeah, here's ross Golden would it with
a report on the Warriors bench that last time out
was very unique. Before Kerr got to the team, Draymond
Green called everyone together, stragglers. He waited till they came
to and he called everyone and he said, listen, listen,
(27:12):
it's real easy to fall in love with what plays
doing out there, real easy. But it's the defense. It's
the defense, sma fellas, let's close them out. Raymond was
doing pretty much everything, you know, because we want to
you know, this successful Clay, and he was doing the rebound,
he was guarding you was calling the plays. And that's
(27:34):
what made Steve really mad because, uh, Steve used to
call the plays on the side and Draymond was the
ball would have called an opposite play to get Clay
the ball again. He's got it history. Have you under
seen every warrior? Players are the side themselves? Are you
(27:59):
kid in me? These are some of the greatest players
in the world. They can't believe what they have been witnessing.
Forty five in the game, thirty two in the quarter,
has not missed a shot in the third, twelve for
twelve in the third quarter, for thirty two points. Is
(28:24):
only one person that can stop Clay, and that's himself,
the King's double team, triple team. He eludes them and
he is just scoring at I mean, this is a
moment of history here because all the players they were
going to shoot the ball and Curry was not going
to take the shot no matter what. He keeps sitting
him clear. He's just getting in the vall. He's doing
(28:44):
it himself. Coming up after the break, Clay Thompson finishes
off the greatest scoring quarter in NBA history, and we
get postgame perspectives from Clay, Steve Kerr and Steph Curry.
M he does not want the quarter in. He just
(29:09):
he'd rather just keep playing right into the fourth quarter.
Him again, right again in the thirty five in the foter.
You mentioned it a little bit earlier, but while this
run was happening, and and Clay was just scoring in bunches,
(29:29):
what was the feel like in the environment in the arena.
I've never seen that the ORC Arena like that. It's
a loud place, but I didn't. I never see like
so many people clap their hands to one of that
particular player score every single office, you know, like it
(29:50):
happened at that night. So the shot clock is off set,
the ball, ron's got it. They through the kinds of
he filed and now will be a three Jones can't.
I've never seen a shouldn't was played like Jose never,
(30:10):
And to me, I felt that all the people that
was in the stadium were on the court, you know,
cherry like we was. We were cherry, you know, given
the same energy for Clay do it. You know, if
(30:31):
you're wondering what the NBA record is for most points
in a quarter, you just watched it. George Gerbon at
thirty three and a quarter and Clay Thompson pass fifty
and thirty seven in a quarter. Clay Thompson, I'm gonna
(30:52):
repeat that, thirty seven in a corn worried lead. It's
four real tied at sixty we're nine or three lap third,
and then even the security guys, you know, we're happy
(31:13):
and Charry, you know, for Clay to you know, keep scoring.
You know, so, Um, it was it was special. And
then when we went to the locker room after the game,
it was even even better because we continued the party.
You know, it was just ridiculous moment. Ridiculous. I can,
I can. I cannot explain to you exactly that moment
(31:34):
how it fell, because it was unique. You know, it's unique.
You played fourteen years and the NBA, I mean, basketball
has been such an enormous part of your life and
you had such a successful career. Have you ever experienced
anything like this moment to that third quarter, that thirty
seven points, watching Clay go off. No, Like I said
(31:56):
to you, it was unique for me. You know, I
cannot explain it arly would I felt because it was
something new to my life. Unique and for a friend,
my friend, a friend that I play with, a friend
that I have right now, and and it was just
(32:16):
a special moment, a moment that you can't forget about.
Clay Thompson talking to the media post game, you ever
experienced anything like that on any level? Um? Maybe elementary school.
I had like fifty playing down with like when I
was in fourth grade. I was playing with some third
grades too. That is honestly last time I've ever going
(32:37):
on a scoring garage like that, Clay, What does it
feel like to be a part of history? So it's
really humbling, it's really surreal. You always dream of it,
you know, whenever I'll be putting up shots in the
park in my backyard or dream about it being a
big time score, a big time player. But it's just
kind of craziest reality. And it's crazy now I'm saying
(33:00):
here in front of you guys talking about it in January.
But you know, my give credit to my father, my teammates,
especially my daddy told me at a young age he
he saw my gifts at the early age because clay
jump shot can take you long ways someday, and just
try to develop other parts of my game as well.
(33:21):
Now I saw a picture and it was funny, I guarantee.
The first thing he says to me, it's probably had sixty.
I said, that's that's just the that's just the NBA guy.
You know. I remember a lot of details on that night,
and it worked out really well, you know, and I
was so happy for him, like I was mad, but
I was being selfish. I can't tell you guys right now,
(33:42):
I was being selfish. And after that thirty seven points,
I went to the locker and I told him, and
I don't know if he remembered that, and I apologized
to him because I was being a selfish as a
vat I couldn't think the way I did, you know.
But I told him, I'm sorry because I wanted to play.
(34:03):
I wanted to Steve sub you because you weren't having
a good night and you end up getting thirty seven point?
What should I do with you? You know? But thank
you so much. I had so much fun. You don't
have no idea, That's what I told him. I don't
think he remember, because you know, Clay's Clay. What was
that celebration like in the locker room, like a championship,
(34:24):
you know, everybody was, you know, waiting for him to
come so we can give the ice back, the ice,
the ice thing on his head, on his whole body,
you know, and it was just I mean, we only
didn't have the champagne, but it was the feeling. It
was like we had the Champagne as well, because it
was that's unique. You don't see that happen a lot.
(34:46):
For him to do that is unbelievable. For him to
do that, Oracle Arenas was fun. That's something a night
will I know he'll never forget, but everybody on this
locker room will be. Uh. I'm pretty proud to say
we saw that good night. Are you planning on the
top of that? Are you planning on the top of that?
(35:07):
And I'm sure it would be tough to beat that record.
So it was crazy in the locker room and we
put music. We were jumping up and down, you know,
and then when he came, we throw the the ice
thing on him. You know, it was it was UNBELI
I was screaming like crazy, it was. It was. It
was unbelievable. You know. I was one of the luckiest
(35:29):
NBA players ever to play with Michael Jordan's and Tim Duncan,
David Robinson, you know, some of the greatest players ever
and as many spectacular things as Michael did, which he
did nightly. Um, I never saw him do that thirty
seven and a quarter. We were looking at the third
(35:50):
quarter box score thirteen for thirteen, nine for nine from three.
You know, he makes one ten ft beyond the three
point line that doesn't count. After the foul, and U
Jared Collins turned to me, so we gotta get more
balanced out of our offense. Phenomenal, just uh and saved
(36:10):
a really bad night. We were horrible to that point,
and Clay just decided to take over. And it was
incredible to to witness. It was reminiscent of, you know,
of Michael, because it's sort of otherworldly. You know, that's
what made Michael special, as he would do some things
that you just thought, that's that's impossible. You know, human
beings can't do that, and not many people I can
(36:32):
sort of achieve that level of play just being the
same brothers, Michael Jordan Is. It's it's crazy, um the
greatest player I've ever played my position harding to be
the game so tristy to say something like that is
um man, It's gives me a lot of confidence and
it's really humbling. So cool to hear from those guys
(36:54):
post game, and I'm so glad to have Clay back
on the court after recovering from his injury. Well, we
appreciate you so much for taking us back to these
moments because, of course for all of us who watched
it live, who've watched the latter, who've watched the highlights,
it's absolutely extraordinary. But I should have I should have
started this by calling you, coach Barbosa. Now that you're
(37:14):
a coach, how is this? How is this next chapter
for you? It's been a challenge, you know, because now
I can see the other side. You know what coach
you talk about players and everything. You know, many times
I asked, Steve, Steve, you used to talk about me
like that when I was a player. Because now I
see what you talk about the other players. We love it.
Thank you so much for your time. NBA Flashback is
(37:42):
a production of I Heart Radio and the NBA. For
more podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I Heart
Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yea
NBA Flashback is a production of I Heart Radio and
the NBA. Thompson switch the paint on the gold Flatter,
got it play? Thompson gives the Warriors the lead. It's
play Jompson show, He's not human trying in. Clay Thompson,
(00:31):
one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, has recently
returned to the court for the Warriors in two and
we all loved every minute of Clay Day. Thrilled to
see him back on the court. But today we're talking
about the night in when he got hotter in one
quarter than anyone has ever seen. I'm sarahcuse Stock and
(00:54):
you're listening to NBA Flashback, the show that takes you
back to the greatest moments in NBA history, using archival
audio from the NBA as well as new interviews with
the players and coaches were in the building. On today's
episode of NBA Flashback, we go back to just a
few years ago when Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars was
(01:16):
the biggest song in the world and Disney had to
ban selfie sticks from their parks to make sure guests
we're safe from getting hit with the sticks of the face.
We're talking with former six Man of the Year NBA
champion and a fourteen year NBA vet, the Brazilian blur,
Leandro Barbosa, about a game where his Warriors teammate Clay
(01:37):
Thompson had the greatest scoring quarter in NBA history with
thirty seven points, and not a single King's player was
safe from getting a killer Clay Thompson jumper right in
their face. Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Barnett, and Ros Golden woulde
called the action on CSN Bay Area starting lineups for
(02:04):
the Warriors, So will be Steph Curry at Clay Thompson,
Harrison Barnes, Grandmon Green and Andrew Bogan for Sacramento and
Ty Corbin, Darren Collinson, Ben mcilmore would be gave Derrick
Williams and DeMarcus Cousins now are Ego donand will not play.
He's being arrested. Steve Kerves gonna have a pattern of
that was several Warriors. We're joined now by Leandro Barbosa
(02:28):
and Leandrow. Thank you so much for coming on. I
want you to take us back. Do you remember what
you were thinking that night back in when Clay dropped
thirty seven in the third quarter. Oh no, I remember exactly.
You know why I remember because I was mad at
did I was mad because I used to back cop Clay.
(02:49):
So when he started making shots, I knew I wasn't
going to play. They forgot about play. That's what I'm
talking about, overplaying. I wanted to aggressive, to you use
top fakes, and all of a sudden, his patience paid
off there beautifully, John Dude, the fends just disappar and
how you see him now, you don't little move. But
then it became fun because he started making shots from
(03:12):
all over the place and the fans got into you know,
and it was ridiculous. But we didn't know he was
going to score thirty seven points in one quarter. You know,
the whole bench, it was crazy. The whole arena was
was crazy. Cut at the same situation that Curry was
going to be the record. It was the same thing
at that night, but it was special because no one
(03:36):
knew that he was gonna make thirty seven points in
one quarter. I can't forget that night because I wanted
to play and I end up not playing. But I
was happy for him. It was special because he did
what he did and everybody got his back, you know.
So it was unbelievable night, le Andrew. Those are such
beautiful sentiments and we appreciate hearing now. I wanted you
(04:00):
to take us back though, because you having played in
the league for so long. Sometimes those mid and January
games are a little bit of a grind. You're playing
the Kings who were struggling, but it felt like you
guys out of the gates, were focused and we're ready
for this one. Do you remember the mindset of that
one or just kind of putting into perspective what that
(04:22):
team was like throughout the course of the season and
in particular against up against the team that you know,
on paper may not have stacked up to your group.
Well at that time, I don't think people believe in
our team. I think uh as a vet, you know,
and being a couple of times on the Western Conference finals,
(04:44):
I knew that we had the right group to do it,
but a lot of the people didn't used to talk
about our team or maybe say that we are a
contender team, and every game it was a game for
us to win, compete and win and prove to other
people that they were wrong. Three man, Once I saw
(05:06):
that we had opportunity to do at all. It became special.
And I came up to Andrew Goodala and Sean living
Stool and I came up to them and I said, man,
we can make something special. Let's believe. Let's make the
other players believe. Right now we are the underdogs, and
then we start believing in ourselves on our team, play
(05:28):
each other. Everybody accepted their role. Because Andrea Goodala was
coming from a team that he was starting. Everybody on
the bench couldn't start in a different team. And we
accepted that role. Stevin made uh some way somehow, everybody
take that role and be quiet. Let's do it for
(05:50):
each other, and we did it. Don't like that aspect
of this game. And it was so fun and happening
that we were playing the games like if we were
playing the parking. So it was. It didn't became like
it wasn't serious, but we knew we had a responsibility. Also,
(06:12):
it was just fun for play the way we were playing.
The fans always louder for us. It was just a
special playing that back to lor at the top tops
it on the counter attack three point and there are
some boys checking it in and they needed a little
(06:33):
time This is an amazing dispoint on offensive prowess m
defency too. I don't think that will ever happen again.
You know, like that group, the way we were family,
We used to do everything together. But you talk about
it being a special group, and you were on some
special teams. I mean you were on some great Soun's
teams with Steve Nash. Did this team at all reminds
(06:56):
you of any of those Phoenix teams? Yes? Actually, when
I brought to the team, I think Stevie wanted me
to give you the example of the running gun of
the Phoenix Suns. When Nashi got to the Phoenix Suns,
he brought a style of basketball that we didn't have
in the league. Back door pass off, the drivel from
(07:18):
Nash to Barbosa. Yeah, a little delayed to Nash is
so tricky with the basketball. Since he changed the basketball
with the Phoenix Suns, calling like running gun, it changed
the host style of the NBA. And once we did that,
I think Steve thought that I was gonna be a
piece to kind of help the young guys, especially Clay
and Curry, to do the same thing, but playing defense,
(07:42):
because with the Phoenix Suns we didn't play difference at all.
It was all about offense. Final So I guess theer
was watching, Now, what did nice drop off there? What
I passed by? The actual records the Suns time. So
with the Golden State Warriors, we had to play difference.
That's where I actually started playing difference when I got
(08:03):
to the Golden State Warriors, because if I didn't play difference,
I wouldn't have minutes. So that was the main thing.
Show the guys the example how we used to do
with the Phoenix sunse and they were taught really well.
You know, our difference was really really good. Our offense
was even better. It was just automatic things that happened
(08:24):
on the court. We didn't used to call plays. We
we used to do a really good job on the
differency standpoint, and then once we get the ball, we
just run like the kids, you know, and whoever is
in the front or in the better position to score
the ball with the score. That's how it was, and
and that's why it became so fun because everybody was scoring,
(08:46):
and every time one of us me Eggy and all
the other guys from the bench was on the court
with staff or Clay, we would do everything to get
them open. It was just automatic, you know. Yeah, there
was a big man that that got those two and
got all of you open a lot Andrew Bogan. Bogan
(09:09):
has always had because he was number when you go
through the list and the players and everyone that helped
that offense to run. You know how much Steph and
Clay love running off him and him setting screens. Don't
get set some screens and he called the Turk side
of the moon and play tops and and staff are
benefited for the big Man. Can you describe the value
(09:30):
that he brought to that group and to your offense?
Big value. You know, Bogan is a very good friend
of mine, and I played so many times against him
and I didn't know he was that good into be
his teammate on customers. He likes to score over him
all the game within the game, and the big man
battle loves the challenge. He done the little details. You know.
(09:53):
He preferred to pass the ball and get you open,
then you know, score for himself. And that was the
key for our team. We started thinking the same way
that Boga was used to think. You know, you would
do his best to get somebody open in a better
position or situation to score regardless. He was doing the
(10:14):
little details and defensively too, right. Defensively, it was so
good blocking, you know. And he also a good passer,
you know, he said screens, good screens, good passer. He
could be our point guard, which many of the times
you were. It was amazing, you know. I think that
nothing would have happened if we didn't have him. It
(10:34):
would be totally a different scenario. So he was a
really bi key of our group at that year and
the following year. I think there's a lot of things
that always stood out about that group and that year
when you think about it. But some of it was
just you guys scoring in bunches. You go on runs
that were just crazy. And so in this game, in
(10:56):
particular against Sacramento, you guys go on a run in
the first quarter to nothing run. But what was it
about your group and about that team that you were
able to flip a switch and and go on a
run and just blow teams out of the water. Well,
we we knew we were a good team, right, but
(11:18):
we knew also that no one respect to us. The
only way to do that it was just playing ball.
The Warriors against Houston finished the house on run answered here.
You ever watched The Wizard of Oz? Of course, remember
when the house landed on the Witch. That's what these
warrior runs are like. They just destroyed teams at times.
(11:40):
I want to ask you though, going back, because for
as much as you talk about the way you guys
generated so much offense out of your defense and how
you were able to play, Clay had thirty seven of
that third quarter. He has had some big offensive nights,
but early in the game he had a couple of
unbelievable blocks, some steals. What about Clay on the defensive end,
I think he plays one of the best defenders that
(12:03):
I ever played with and against, And obviously as a
coach now I've been going and play a lot of
one on one, three on three, four and four, and
I can see that he really has a talent to
guard people. He knows the details, little things you know
(12:24):
that a lot of the players in the NBA doesn't know,
and he knows. He's such a smart you know, moving
his feet and and you know the knowledge you where
they often see it's gonna go. So he's really good
on that, you know. But I didn't know until I
got to the team and play with him, you know,
and see his guarding always the best players on the
(12:47):
other team, you know, so I only see one guy
doing that, which was I'm not comparing him, but I
only see Michael Jordan's doing that, playing on the decency
standpoint and also on the office standpoint, and he does that,
and I really appreciate and respected the way he does
on the difference, the way that he likes to play
difference is and in the office is just automatic, you know,
(13:10):
it's he just catching shoe. They really nice release that
he has is just unbelievable, you know. So it was
just so much fun to play with him, and now
just watching him practicing, you know how hungry he used
to coming back play what he loves to do, you know,
it's just amazing. You know. I'm just so happy to
(13:31):
be part of that. You know. I'm curious from you
as you talked about that you would get more minutes
and maybe a little bit more playing time depending on
what was happening. At the end of the half. You
guys were only up five and Clay was three and
nine from the field playing out to warm up three
and the kids are just bullets here. You're not gonna
(13:53):
see Stephord plays those type of looks very often for
someone like you who was a veteran obviously a vocal player.
What type of player teammate is Clay? Do you talk
to him? Do you give them words of encouragement? Do
you do what? What's the interaction like at that time
with a player like Clay in the locker room if
(14:15):
he's maybe not not shooting quiet as well or getting
as many touches as you may see on a typical night.
At that moment, Clay wasn't the experience. You know, he
was younger, and like you said, I was the fat
and I know the best thing that he knows how
to do and how he does is so great is
shooting the ball. And most of the time when he
(14:38):
wasn't having a good night, he would have put his
head down, and I al was used to tell him,
keep your head up. Why you you have your head down?
You didn't do nothing wrong, You just missing the shot.
Get focused and stay with it. Next one is going
to go in. Keep it positive, you know, keep shooting.
We want you to shoot the ball. And if I'm there,
what you on the core, I'm gonna try to do
(15:00):
my best to get you open, so you do what
you do best. And he always say okay, okay, okay,
And he knows he was our main guy on that team.
You know, he knew that he has to play good
in order for us to be successful. And like I said,
keep shooting, keep shooting, don't worry about the miss. We
(15:21):
would do the rest. You just shoot the ball. And
he keeps shooting and shooting. Then when he got hot,
when he gets hot him or Curry gets hot, forget
about What about theo with with the Marcus Cousins boogie,
because he had it going early in the third before
Clay really got going, boogie was absolutely dominating. I'm gonna
(15:44):
get to that. That's he's having a heck of the game,
Cousin says. The Sacramento was going for eighteen down, you
know that their second lead of the ball game, and
Steph Curry, I'm going to get to the line. The
words have to show hit that kind of bouncing their step,
that little life that they had that first quarterback. Be
a little more vocal, a little more demonstrated. Get the
crowd back into it. The Warriors have missed their last
(16:06):
eight threes. It was seven or fourteen, and they got
over eight since because he's just gonna go on on
one and that's almost illegal to be that good on
the box and be that smoing on around. How tough
of a matchup was he for teams and just in
(16:27):
terms of game planning, what you guys had to do
to try and slow him down. He was really happy
at that moment, but then he got really upset by
us murdering his team and seeing what Clay was doing.
So he was like angry getting the fight with his teammates.
It was crazy. So he wasn't happy about to see
(16:50):
what was going on, what Clay was doing with his team.
One guy was doing everything and nobody was able to stop.
If I was on the other team, I wouldn't be
angry too, you know. So at that point he lost
the focus that he had for the big minutes that
he has in the first half coming up. It's halftime.
(17:13):
The Splash brothers are struggling, but that is about to
change in a big way and we are going to
witness something truly special, said Brettle. More under control there.
I thought he rushed it the first half a few times,
but he made that little pivot and he's expecting Cousins
to close. He wasn't there, so he just went up.
(17:34):
He took a little jump shot. All right. So I
have a question because you mentioned that at times offensively,
you guys wouldn't run any sets, You just free flow.
Steve Kerr said that at halftime he was so angry
(17:55):
with how you guys were playing that he wasn't gonna
call plays anymore. At halftime, I was sewing. I told
the guys, run whatever you want, like I'm not calling
any any place, because it's not about what place we call,
it's it's are we going to decide to focus? So
run whatever you want. And as Alvin would say, they
ran two plays, get the ball to Clay and Clay
(18:17):
get the ball you know those those are the two
two plays they were Clay. Steve said that at halftime
he was pretty angry with you guys. And then coming
out in the third quarter, how quickly did was that forgotten?
That anger? How quickly after you started? Uh went on
that run. We retired at sixties sixty and Steve just honestly,
(18:38):
he said at halftime he wasn't gonna call anything. He
wasn't gonna call any places. You know, just let us
figure it out and make us get our focus back.
That's what we did. We respawned well when he gets
honest and he knows how to get on our skin.
Do you remember that, Yeah? I do remember. We don't
even remember. Many times Steve was on a sideline asking
for us to call certain plays and we don't need
(19:01):
to look at him. I mean he was rolling. Clay
was rolling, playing great defense, grat the cops. And when
he comes up the steel, say, Thompson sets his feet
and then we were three point drives. They needed that.
He did it with defense. First he started scoring and
he was a missing at all and everything was, you know,
(19:24):
on his way, and we just god, play gold, Clay,
have fun, keep going, don't stop. You know Lay Thompson
tripping guests, they could be streaky and streaky good. We
talked on the court and a couple of times, you know,
when I was on the huddle, I said, man, keep
you passing the ball to Clay Man. Don't worry about
(19:46):
the plays. If he opened just past making his score,
with how many points he has to score, you know,
it's his night. Giving the ball to him, Give the
ball to him. And Steve got mad with that. But
it was working. We were making basket. He's trying to
deny and play the ball barely in his hands and
right in the bucket. They tried everything they could possibly
(20:08):
do to stop Clay and they could, you know, ops
of three, how he's feeling it, that's not absolutely feeling it.
Flay Thompson the footer twenty six in the game, and
Clay was like motivating, you know, every time he would
have made the basket, he wanted to do the next
one and wouldn't do the best we could on the
(20:28):
defense to get the ball and give it to him
back five for five. Yeah, he wants a heat checking
Cousins right now on the five for five until these
three threes. That's a deep one he shot up for nights.
Oh man, that's a study eight thunder even stat he
(20:49):
stopped shooting to pass the Clay, you know, and make
it more fun. And we heard about that eight fter
again from Stephan post game the third three May where
he was calling for a screen out and just pulled
up and made it. And then after that it was
just get him the ball anyway we could, I mean,
abandon any place that that we usually run and just
(21:11):
either to pin down or just trying to get him
the ball and make up make a play. And in
the rest of the issue, you did the thirty seven,
but we want to do it fifty, you know, whatever
he could, but it was thirty seven. The number was
thirty seven. Uh so Clay a thirty seven points. There
was a lot of different ways that he was scoring.
Of course, there's some some long range three point shots,
(21:33):
all sorts of intermediate game. But there was a break
where Steph tosses a lab up to Clay and he
hammers it down. What was the connection, right, Yeah, you
remember that we're going to one blob. Player's got that
(21:54):
kind of elevation you kind of hold her, hold your breath.
So they started out blob. He got up, didn't realize
play could get off like that. What was the connection?
I mean, we see it now and we've continued to
see it, but but at that point, how would you
describe the connection between Steph and Clay. Well, they played
together for several years before I get to that team,
(22:14):
you know, before Steven made that team together. You know,
they are very good friends. They understand really well on
the court, and that's why people call them the Splash brothers.
You know, the connection always been there. They know how
to play together. They respected each other, and I think
it whenever they are together on the court, it just happened,
(22:35):
you know. I mean, I think he when I used
to play with Steve Nash, you know, I knew when
he looked at me, I knew what he was he
wanted me to do. It tells the drill Barbosa hand
in the face forcing the miss and by Grant Hill
quickly clears it. The Nashal had Barbosa and the player
put the finishing touch. That is a trademark sons fast barade.
How about that look by Nash Barbosa with the finish
(22:58):
Steve Nash night Nash to a streaking Barbosa. You dare
not look away. I missed it. I didn't. I looked
up in it's a layout. What unbelievable fast. I think
he's the same thing with clay and stuff, you know.
So I don't have no doubt that they do communicate
on the court without speaking each other, you know. I
(23:20):
think by look they know what they want to do,
you know, together And I'm sure that happened at that
moment and it's still happening in every moment that they
are together on the court during the middle of this run,
and Clay obviously scoring so much, but he has a
beautiful fine Draymond under the basket. We're just trying to
four Street the hot hand. No one's hotter than Clay,
(23:42):
and he gets it to Draymond, dream Flake Thompsons staring
everything there do all the scoring, didn't want to focus
the defense a week it possible too well, he's responsible solid,
forget the just his ability to still play so unselfishly.
(24:06):
How much was that a characteristic of this group and
of Clay to still play in such an unselfish way.
I think I think he learned how to play that way,
you know, not only himself. I think Curry too, you know,
because Curry does what he does and he's still passing
the ball and getting teammates involved, and and Clay is
(24:27):
the same thing. I think when Steve got to this team,
and I'm sure Mark Jackson, you know, cheach staff and
play how to play the right way, you know, And
once I got to the team and Steve got to
the team, Steve just continue to give you the way
to play basketball, you know, like sharing the ball. We
(24:50):
know that the two players on the team. They're gonna
take the most shots. Is Clay and Staff we're gonna
work for. You know, those guys be open on the core,
but they also know that when they don't have the shot,
they have to you know, share the ball and the
steal car's gonna find him playing Tree. Oh forty Tois's
(25:19):
career entrees one point office career best, but a towny
seven point porter to be hot, smart, remarkable. That's what
made our team be successful because we were sharing, we
were moving and and made our basketball really special, you know,
and made more people get interested in watch the Golden
(25:42):
State Warriors get it to Clay Thompson again. Proud standing,
TI be trying again. I stry nine in the third
(26:06):
two in the game, he's outscol of the Keys to
the nine nineteen in this part. I remember at that moment,
almost close to the playoffs at that year, I remember
that many players that I play against wanted to come
to the Golden State Warriors to play that beautiful basketball
that we were playing, you know, and we were sharing
the ball. It wasn't no selfish and believe it or not,
(26:29):
we had players that could be selfish on my team
because so many weapons, you know, so many guns, and
we took that role. Like I said, we were sharing,
we were family, We had the chemistry. Everything we're in
the same time. You know, it worked out in the
same way, and it was beautiful basketball. Draymond was a
(26:50):
big part of that. During this run that Clay was
having Steve curse that Draymond was calling plays for Clay
in the huddle. Yeah, here's ross Golden would it with
a report on the Warriors bench that last time out
was very unique. Before Kerr got to the team, Draymond
Green called everyone together, stragglers. He waited till they came
to and he called everyone and he said, listen, listen,
(27:12):
it's real easy to fall in love with what plays
doing out there, real easy. But it's the defense. It's
the defense, sma fellas, let's close them out. Raymond was
doing pretty much everything, you know, because we want to
you know, this successful Clay, and he was doing the rebound,
he was guarding you was calling the plays. And that's
(27:34):
what made Steve really mad because, uh, Steve used to
call the plays on the side and Draymond was the
ball would have called an opposite play to get Clay
the ball again. He's got it history. Have you under
seen every warrior? Players are the side themselves? Are you
(27:59):
kid in me? These are some of the greatest players
in the world. They can't believe what they have been witnessing.
Forty five in the game, thirty two in the quarter,
has not missed a shot in the third, twelve for
twelve in the third quarter, for thirty two points. Is
(28:24):
only one person that can stop Clay, and that's himself,
the King's double team, triple team. He eludes them and
he is just scoring at I mean, this is a
moment of history here because all the players they were
going to shoot the ball and Curry was not going
to take the shot no matter what. He keeps sitting
him clear. He's just getting in the vall. He's doing
(28:44):
it himself. Coming up after the break, Clay Thompson finishes
off the greatest scoring quarter in NBA history, and we
get postgame perspectives from Clay, Steve Kerr and Steph Curry.
M he does not want the quarter in. He just
(29:09):
he'd rather just keep playing right into the fourth quarter.
Him again, right again in the thirty five in the foter.
You mentioned it a little bit earlier, but while this
run was happening, and and Clay was just scoring in bunches,
(29:29):
what was the feel like in the environment in the arena.
I've never seen that the ORC Arena like that. It's
a loud place, but I didn't. I never see like
so many people clap their hands to one of that
particular player score every single office, you know, like it
(29:50):
happened at that night. So the shot clock is off set,
the ball, ron's got it. They through the kinds of
he filed and now will be a three Jones can't.
I've never seen a shouldn't was played like Jose never,
(30:10):
And to me, I felt that all the people that
was in the stadium were on the court, you know,
cherry like we was. We were cherry, you know, given
the same energy for Clay do it. You know, if
(30:31):
you're wondering what the NBA record is for most points
in a quarter, you just watched it. George Gerbon at
thirty three and a quarter and Clay Thompson pass fifty
and thirty seven in a quarter. Clay Thompson, I'm gonna
(30:52):
repeat that, thirty seven in a corn worried lead. It's
four real tied at sixty we're nine or three lap third,
and then even the security guys, you know, we're happy
(31:13):
and Charry, you know, for Clay to you know, keep scoring.
You know, so, Um, it was it was special. And
then when we went to the locker room after the game,
it was even even better because we continued the party.
You know, it was just ridiculous moment. Ridiculous. I can,
I can. I cannot explain to you exactly that moment
(31:34):
how it fell, because it was unique. You know, it's unique.
You played fourteen years and the NBA, I mean, basketball
has been such an enormous part of your life and
you had such a successful career. Have you ever experienced
anything like this moment to that third quarter, that thirty
seven points, watching Clay go off. No, Like I said
(31:56):
to you, it was unique for me. You know, I
cannot explain it arly would I felt because it was
something new to my life. Unique and for a friend,
my friend, a friend that I play with, a friend
that I have right now, and and it was just
(32:16):
a special moment, a moment that you can't forget about.
Clay Thompson talking to the media post game, you ever
experienced anything like that on any level? Um? Maybe elementary school.
I had like fifty playing down with like when I
was in fourth grade. I was playing with some third
grades too. That is honestly last time I've ever going
(32:37):
on a scoring garage like that, Clay, What does it
feel like to be a part of history? So it's
really humbling, it's really surreal. You always dream of it,
you know, whenever I'll be putting up shots in the
park in my backyard or dream about it being a
big time score, a big time player. But it's just
kind of craziest reality. And it's crazy now I'm saying
(33:00):
here in front of you guys talking about it in January.
But you know, my give credit to my father, my teammates,
especially my daddy told me at a young age he
he saw my gifts at the early age because clay
jump shot can take you long ways someday, and just
try to develop other parts of my game as well.
(33:21):
Now I saw a picture and it was funny, I guarantee.
The first thing he says to me, it's probably had sixty.
I said, that's that's just the that's just the NBA guy.
You know. I remember a lot of details on that night,
and it worked out really well, you know, and I
was so happy for him, like I was mad, but
I was being selfish. I can't tell you guys right now,
(33:42):
I was being selfish. And after that thirty seven points,
I went to the locker and I told him, and
I don't know if he remembered that, and I apologized
to him because I was being a selfish as a
vat I couldn't think the way I did, you know.
But I told him, I'm sorry because I wanted to play.
(34:03):
I wanted to Steve sub you because you weren't having
a good night and you end up getting thirty seven point?
What should I do with you? You know? But thank
you so much. I had so much fun. You don't
have no idea, That's what I told him. I don't
think he remember, because you know, Clay's Clay. What was
that celebration like in the locker room, like a championship,
(34:24):
you know, everybody was, you know, waiting for him to
come so we can give the ice back, the ice,
the ice thing on his head, on his whole body,
you know, and it was just I mean, we only
didn't have the champagne, but it was the feeling. It
was like we had the Champagne as well, because it
was that's unique. You don't see that happen a lot.
(34:46):
For him to do that is unbelievable. For him to
do that, Oracle Arenas was fun. That's something a night
will I know he'll never forget, but everybody on this
locker room will be. Uh. I'm pretty proud to say
we saw that good night. Are you planning on the
top of that? Are you planning on the top of that?
(35:07):
And I'm sure it would be tough to beat that record.
So it was crazy in the locker room and we
put music. We were jumping up and down, you know,
and then when he came, we throw the the ice
thing on him. You know, it was it was UNBELI
I was screaming like crazy, it was. It was. It
was unbelievable. You know. I was one of the luckiest
(35:29):
NBA players ever to play with Michael Jordan's and Tim Duncan,
David Robinson, you know, some of the greatest players ever
and as many spectacular things as Michael did, which he
did nightly. Um, I never saw him do that thirty
seven and a quarter. We were looking at the third
(35:50):
quarter box score thirteen for thirteen, nine for nine from three.
You know, he makes one ten ft beyond the three
point line that doesn't count. After the foul, and U
Jared Collins turned to me, so we gotta get more
balanced out of our offense. Phenomenal, just uh and saved
(36:10):
a really bad night. We were horrible to that point,
and Clay just decided to take over. And it was
incredible to to witness. It was reminiscent of, you know,
of Michael, because it's sort of otherworldly. You know, that's
what made Michael special, as he would do some things
that you just thought, that's that's impossible. You know, human
beings can't do that, and not many people I can
(36:32):
sort of achieve that level of play just being the
same brothers, Michael Jordan Is. It's it's crazy, um the
greatest player I've ever played my position harding to be
the game so tristy to say something like that is
um man, It's gives me a lot of confidence and
it's really humbling. So cool to hear from those guys
(36:54):
post game, and I'm so glad to have Clay back
on the court after recovering from his injury. Well, we
appreciate you so much for taking us back to these
moments because, of course for all of us who watched
it live, who've watched the latter, who've watched the highlights,
it's absolutely extraordinary. But I should have I should have
started this by calling you, coach Barbosa. Now that you're
(37:14):
a coach, how is this? How is this next chapter
for you? It's been a challenge, you know, because now
I can see the other side. You know what coach
you talk about players and everything. You know, many times
I asked, Steve, Steve, you used to talk about me
like that when I was a player. Because now I
see what you talk about the other players. We love it.
Thank you so much for your time. NBA Flashback is
(37:42):
a production of I Heart Radio and the NBA. For
more podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I Heart
Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yea
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