Klay Thompson couldn't believe Eli Manning called him one of the greatest scorers ever

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors will host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday to open their 2023-24 NBA campaign. Golden State will be undermanned as Draymond Green will miss the game due to an injury. The Dubs, though, are excited to get their season started after losing to the LA Lakers in the playoffs. Thompson and the Warriors are considered legitimate title contenders.

While waiting for the tip-off, “Game 6 Klay” appeared on the “Manningcast” as a guest of Peyton and Eli Manning. Thompson played football in high school and remains an avid NFL fan. He roots for the San Francisco 49ers, which share the same city as the Warriors.

While the football legends covered the game, Eli Manning suddenly told Klay Thompson that he was one of the NBA’s greatest scorers. The Warriors guard could only say “Wow” in appreciation of what the two-time Super Bowl MVP had said.

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The younger Manning is one of the best-ever quarterbacks. He led the New York Giants to Super Bowl wins in 2008 and 2012, beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on both occasions. His praise was something that stunned Thompson.

Eli Manning wasn’t trying to flatter Klay Thompson. Calling “Killa Klay” one of the NBA’s best scorers is not a stretch. Thompson once had 60 points in just 29 minutes. He could have broken the 80-point barrier had Warriors coach Steve Kerr given him his usual minutes.

Thompson also holds the record for most points scored in a single quarter. The four-time champ exploded for 37 against the Sacramento Kings in January 2015. He broke the previous record of 33 points in a period that was shared by Carmelo Anthony and George Gervin.

Klay Thompson’s deadly marksmanship was on full display last season as well. He led the NBA in three-point attempts with 731 and made triples with 301. Eli Manning knew what he was saying when he gave Thompson his comments.

Klay Thompson wanted to be one of the Mannings during his high school football days

Klay Thompson was a two-way football player in high school. He was a free safety on defense and played quarterback on offense. A few of his former teammates thought he was good enough to make it to the NFL.

While he was in the NBA, Thompson once posted a photo of himself calling plays at the line of scrimmage. He used the hashtag #klaytonmanning to capture what he felt like during those games.

Thompson had this to say on why #klaytonmanning was important to him:

(2:48 mark)

“I was really known for breaking the play off and not listening to my offensive coordinator, calling my own audibles. I’d usually audible to a fade most of the time. I’d end up throwing that little slant that Peyton loved to throw. I was always trying to go deep. … Chicks dig long balls.”

Klay Thompson might not have followed in the Mannings’ footsteps but he has built a great basketball career. Eli Manning made sure Thompson got his flowers on the “Manningcast.”