Klay Thompson did not appreciate Kevin Durant using his full name while dismissing his contributions to the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors.
The four-time NBA champion responded on his Instagram story Tuesday after Durant claimed the 2026-27 Philadelphia 76ers are more talented on paper than the Warriors team that won a championship in Durant’s first season in the Bay Area.
Durant, responding to a fan on Instagram, wrote: “Ain’t close lmao. Joel, mvp recently. Jaylen brown, recent finals mvp, Tyrese Maxey, all star the last 3 years. We all know what bron does. Klay Thompson, never a mvp candidate in nothing, 22ppg. Draymond, 14ppg 7 rebounds 6 assist, Steph a mvp just like Joel was. I don’t get how the warriors team is better on paper.”
Klay Thompson didn’t appreciate KD’s comment on Instagram 👀
“Aye man, u good?” pic.twitter.com/K0Zu33lIba
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 4, 2026
Thompson, tagging Durant’s Instagram handle @easymoneysniper, replied: “Aye man u good? What u using my full government for 🪪??”
The exchange quickly spread across social media after accounts including Legion Hoops posted screenshots of Thompson’s story.
Durant first floated the comparison over the weekend at a Team USA camp, arguing the incoming Sixers roster featuring Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James offers more firepower than the 2016-17 Warriors core of himself, Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. He later doubled down on Instagram, framing the Sixers’ projected talent as clearly superior and pushing back against the idea that his own move to Golden State created an unmatched superteam.
Thompson’s reaction centered on Durant’s characterization of him as “never a mvp candidate in nothing” while listing career averages. The Splash Brother has long been celebrated for his elite shooting, two-way play and championship pedigree rather than individual awards. He averaged 22.3 points during the 2016-17 regular season and played a central role in the Warriors’ title run that year, including strong playoff performances alongside Curry and Durant.
The 2016-17 Warriors went 67-15 in the regular season and swept through the Western Conference before defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. That squad is widely regarded as one of the most dominant teams of the modern era, building on the previous season’s historic 73-9 record.
Durant has repeatedly defended his decision to join Golden State in free agency, often noting perceived double standards in how fans and media discuss superteam construction. In the same Instagram exchange, he referenced criticism he has faced compared to reactions surrounding other stars’ team changes.
Thompson and Durant won two titles together (2017 and 2018) before Durant’s departure. Their public interactions have generally remained cordial in recent years, making Thompson’s pointed response stand out.
Reactions across NBA circles mixed amusement with criticism of Durant’s framing. Some pointed to the Warriors’ proven results and chemistry versus the theoretical talent of a Sixers group still assembling for the upcoming season. Others noted Thompson’s understated but effective clapback using the “full government name” slang, a common way of calling someone out for being overly formal or dismissive.
Draymond Green in response to Kevin Durant's recent Threads post 👀
"Slim thought he was on his burner?" https://t.co/eSqy6Wzb3o pic.twitter.com/GPO6T9hzDd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 4, 2026
As of Tuesday morning, neither player had issued further public comments beyond the Instagram exchange. The back-and-forth adds another chapter to the ongoing debate about historical superteams versus current contenders as the league heads toward the 2026-27 season.
