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It’s been 329 days since Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson last played a game of basketball.
You remember what happened on that game. Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. Toronto celebrated a title while Thompson was in an MRI machine; when he came out, he had to ask whether or not his team won.
For the last year, Thompson has been rehabbing one of the most brutal injuries an athlete can suffer. And on Wednesday, he released a mini-film on YouTube about his rehab and recovery, titled “Above the Waves.”
Check it out:
In it you see the five-time All-Star and three-time champion talking with doctors, going through physical therapy, and getting up shots. You hear his father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, talk about the hunger he instilled in his kids. You hear Klay talk about the anger he feels from hearing the Warriors’ dynasty being talked about as something only in the rear view mirror.
We’re a long ways away from the 2020-21 NBA season, whenever it may take place. But this little documentary will get you pumped up for that season, and to see Thompson attempt to beat the odds, and return from a torn ACL stronger than before.
“Above the Waves” is created by Translation, directed by Floyd Russ with top global creative production partner Tool of North America, and is presented by Kaiser Permanente.