In the deep depths of the offseason, Jason Terry decided to give us something to discuss. The shooting guard said that Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson are “B-Side players,” not quite superstar-level (like his then teammate, James Harden), but good complementary pieces.
While JET wasn’t saying those players are bad, by any means, it’s easy to see how it could be taken as a slight.
Thompson finally responded to the comments in an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio (as transcribed by The Score):
“I honestly don’t even know what that means,” Thompson said of the term “B-side player” while on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday. “Whatever Jason wants to call me, I’ll be a ‘B-side player.’ I’ll be a ‘B-side’ on my way to compete for championships. It’s OK with me.
“Kawhi Leonard is a ‘B-side player?’ Man, that man was a Finals MVP and one of the best two-way players in the game.”
Thompson definitely has a point, especially as it pertains to Kawhi. It doesn’t appear like the Warriors guard is taking this as a slight, considering he’s being compared to probably the best defender in the league.
Terry’s comments can be taken in any way and it’s easy for it to be seen as some sort of disrespect. But as Klay Thompson points out, there’s really nothing to say what “B-Side player” means. In this case, it apparently means anywhere between the first and third best players on a championship team.
