Klay Thompson won the NBA free throw title this season by shooting 92.7 percent, just 0.5 percent better than Warriors teammate Stephen Curry.
However, Curry sank only 299 free throws (out of 324) compared to Thompson's 127 (out of 137), 172 more than his splash brother. he quickly pointed out.
“We'll see if they rewrite the rules,” Curry said jokingly at practice Monday, ahead of Tuesday's NBA Play-In Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings. She said, “I don't know what 125 free throws are or what the qualifications are, but… [Klay] I accomplished it.
“Until then, I had no clue. [Warriors senior vice president of communications] raymond [Ridder] told me today. I knew I was at the top percentage-wise almost all year.I think [Damian Lillard] He was there too. But I had no idea that Klay wouldn't be eligible until the last game, and he scored all five games. ”
Curry has won the league's free-throw crown four times in his 15-year NBA career, most recently in 2017-18 when he shot 92.1 percent. Certainly he knew he could finish the season near the top.
Meanwhile, Thompson was the league's top free throw shooter for the first time in his 13-year career. He wouldn't have won the championship had it not been for his 5-for-5 performance from the line in Golden State's 123-116 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Chase Center.
And like Curry, Thompson didn't know much about the race until just recently when he learned he had won.
”[Klay] “He didn't know anything either,” Curry said. He didn't even realize he was getting a small shield, trophy, etc.
“I introduced Jordan. [Poole] with him when he gets it [in 2021-22]. Clay didn't know there was a trophy for statistical leader, so I think he missed the entire ceremony. So the trophy was a surprise to him. ”
Curry was excited for his teammates, but made it clear he wanted to take home the title.
“No,” Curry humorously said of the Warriors finding solace in winning the free throw championship. “I hate losing. I never lose.
“But I think I'm very proud of my teammates, yes.”
So, while Curry feels a little salty about losing the free throw race to Thompson, he still has three more titles up his sleeve.
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