The absurdity of Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson is one of the weirdest players in the NBA. In a league of superstars who seem more like demigods, Klay can’t seem like more than a normal guy. He’s relatable in the most basic, most embarrassing, and most human of ways.

Klay’s entire life is strange. He doesn’t show much emotion on or off the court, except for the occasional fist pump or wide grin. His father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, has one of the weirdest Twitter feeds online.

He spends his time briefly dating various Instagram models, hanging out with his dog Rocco, and spending his summers in faraway places. Only in China and Qatar does he do away with his stoicism, instead overcome with child-like glee and a college freshman’s party fever. On top of that, he’s probably the second greatest shooter ever.

During halftime of Friday’s game against the Kings, Klay Thompson gave the interview of a lifetime with Kerith Burke. It’s almost as if somebody gave him a scripted set of interview cliches, and Klay assembled them all in the wrong order.

This isn’t the first time Klay has done a delightfully weird interview. In 2014, he had the most awkward interview with Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, featuring Stephen Curry dumping water on his head and a sheepish double entendre.

Last year, a reporter in New York asked Klay about scaffolding, not knowing that he was in fact an NBA star.

And don’t forget when Klay started drinking a beer casually postgame.

Klay isn’t interested in being The Man on the court. He just wants to shoot threes, play sturdy man-to-man defense, and go home to play with his dog. Even though he’ll be a free agent this summer, I can’t see him leaving. He’s a goddamn treasure.