“I Led the 2016 Playoffs”: Klay Thompson Uses Warriors Legacy to Clap Back After Fans Rank Ray Allen Above Him

There is no denying that Klay Thompson is one of the best players to ever step foot in the league. While he may not have always been the primary face of a franchise, he was a historic asset to the Golden State Warriors' dynasty, which has led to intense debates regarding his historical ranking.

Because Klay was rarely seen as the number one option, critics on social media frequently attempt to diminish his legacy by ranking other legendary shooters, like Ray Allen, above him. This frequent dismissal has prompted Thompson to fiercely defend his individual greatness.

Fans often argue that a team cannot make a deep NBA playoff run with Thompson operating as the primary catalyst. Lurking on social media, Thompson recently found himself getting into a war of words with these fans as he pointed directly to his offensive dominance during a specific postseason run.

During a heated online exchange, the veteran sharpshooter cited his scoring output to shut down his detractors. "Holy st, I led the 2016 playoffs in points scored, you casuals," Thompson said in response to one fan in a screenshot uploaded by NBA Pass on X. That abrasive response immediately drew pushback regarding the quality of his supporting cast.

Another fan responded and pointed out that while there is truth behind Thompson's statement, he hasn't necessarily carried a team without another superstar by his side. During his Warriors run, Klay played next to the likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Despite those factors, Thompson fired back by highlighting his crucial role before Durant's arrival.

"You do realize I was the 2nd leading scorer on two championship teams without KD? You want me to go to a bad team and put up empty stats? That's easy, buddy."

Looking back at Thompson's stats and achievements in the 2015-16 season, his numbers confirm his massive impact. He was already a one-time champion at that point, averaging 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Those regular-season efforts set the stage for a historic offensive explosion in the playoffs.

His efforts in the regular season earned him his second All-Star selection and his second Third Team All-NBA selection. In the 2016 playoffs, he backed up his recent claim by outscoring Curry, LeBron James, and every other player in total points scored, putting up an astounding 582 points. He achieved that milestone while elevating his overall production across the board.

Thompson also had slightly better individual stats during that postseason run, averaging 24.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. While his numbers confirm his status as an elite offensive engine, critics still point to his legendary teammate's overwhelming gravity during that same era.

In that same 2015-16 season, Thompson's teammate, Curry, put up his second consecutive MVP campaign. Curry averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals, leading the league in both points and steals. Although Curry's unanimous MVP season created a statistical disparity between the two guards, Thompson's true value often emerged while defending the league's most dominant forward.

Klay Thompson Recalls Toughest Player to Guard During His Tenure With the Warriors

During the mid-2010s era, the biggest rivalry in the NBA featured the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Both teams faced off in four consecutive NBA Finals series from 2015 to 2018, requiring Thompson to take on the ultimate defensive assignment.

Despite the Cavaliers only winning one series in their four encounters, Thompson recently acknowledged how difficult LeBron James made it to beat his team. He shared his immense respect for the superstar forward during an August 14, 2026, Twitch livestream broadcast with PlaqueBoyMax.

"We saw (LeBron James) for four straight Finals, and I haven’t seen anyone control the game as well as he does," Thompson said in PlaqueBoyMax's Twitch livestream broadcast on Aug. 14. "He can do everything on the court. There’s no weaknesses ... He was the toughest opponent I ever faced. No question." That immense respect remains relevant as James prepares to enter his 24th NBA season while still playing at a remarkably high level.

Thompson is out to prove he can also still contribute to a championship contender in the twilight of his own career. The veteran sharpshooter will look to silence his online critics and begin his next chapter when his Dallas Mavericks open their preseason schedule against the Houston Rockets in Macao on October 9, 2026.