Former Professional Athlete Reflects On Playing With Four-Time Champ Klay Thompson During 2011 NBA Lockout
The Golden State Warriors regained their throne after beating the Boston Celtics in six games after a three-year drought filled with injuries.
Those injuries included Klay Thompson, who was out with Achilles and ACL injuries, and Steph Curry dealt with quad, tailbone, and hip injuries. However, they overcame those roadblocks to get back to the mountain top.
Speaking of Thompson, former professional basketball player Sheldon Bailey congratulated him for making his way back to win a championship.
“I’m so proud, impressed, and inspired by Klay ‘Freaking’ Thompson. To come back from an ACL and Achilles are the two hardest injuries in basketball to come back from & to win a world championship,” said Bailey.
“I got to play with and against Klay at the Home Depot Center; it’s NBA Draft night tonight. SO when Klay was drafted from Washington State to the Golden State Warriors, they could not play. So, what we did was we went to the Home Depot Center in LA. This was back when I was hooping-hooping in the city.
So, we were down at the Home Depot Center, and Klay was playing with us because they were locked out. So, Quincy Pondexter, Landry Fields was like the guy [back then], I’m not going to lie, but Klay was so impressive and such a nice guy. He was just like a good teammate and a fun guy to play with because he could shoot it from whatever. The dude is mad-encouraging and plays the game really well. To see him at Washington State before he even reported and to see the growth and all that has been really cool.”
Earlier this week, the Warriors had their parade in San Francisco during that celebration with the city. Thompson talked about receiving a standing ovation at morning brunch.
“Sunday morning and seeing everyone in the neighbor so excited and getting a standing ovation from the chef, the waiters, and everybody like that’s what it is all about,” said Thompson.
“It’s those little wins, Shaun Livingston would always tell me about the little wins during my rehab, and that’s something I will take for the rest of my life. The small things in life inspire you to keep going, whether taking a picture with an old lady or a young kid. Dub Nation has no bounds & we have fans from all walks of life.”
As for the Warriors, they drafted Patrick Baldwin Jr with the 28th in the 2022 NBA Draft, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Milwaukee. Last season, he averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. He shot 34.4 percent from the field and 26.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
