Mychal Thompson knows a thing or two about the trappings of being an NBA player, and the former No. 1 overall pick and two-time NBA champion is instilling those lessons on his son, Warrior shooting guard Klay Thompson. As it turns out, the elder Thompson (and his wife, Julie) control Klay’s finances — game checks are sent to them, and Klay is given a weekly allowance. Thus, after Klay found himself caught in the middle of the Warriors-Pacers skirmish Tuesday night, his parents did what any parent would do: they docked his allowance. Mychal spoke with ESPN Radio Los Angeles about the fight:
“I saw Klay mixed up in the beginning, tied up with George Hill,” Mychal said. “I say to myself, don’t do nothing stupid now, don’t throw a punch, don’t throw the ball at anybody.”
“Then Roy Hibbert turned his back & [Klay] was like ‘now’s my chance’!”
“I was like ‘you idiot’!”
The NBA fined Klay $35,000 for his involvement — the first fine of his career — and Mychal is ready to pile on.
“He will [find out he’s been fined by us] when he sees that cash envelope show up a little short this week,” he said.
Naturally, our next question would be: how exactly does this financial set-up work between a 23-year-old NBA players and his protective parents? Glad you asked:
“Rent is $3K…Walking around money $300 a week…” Mychal explained. “That’s a lot of money to go to the movies & buy pizza…”
But what if Klay wanted to take a girl out on a nice date?
“Go to Langers in Oakland…Go to the grocery store & get a nice [bottle of wine] for $30…”
What about the corkage fee?
“Sit in the car & drink it.”
We hope Mychal isn’t serious about the drinking wine in the car thing, but he’s dead serious about Klay Thompson not squandering his millions, and being financially secure beyond his playing days. A lot of athletes would be very fortunate to have someone similarly close watching over them.
