Klay opens up about his Lakers roots and Kobe Bryant’s influence, the Warriors’ first title run, and the rise of the Splash Brothers. He also dives into practice battles, teaming up with Kyrie Irving, and embracing his new chapter with the Dallas Mavericks. Plus — his Top-5 shooters today and all-time, thoughts on the BIG3 League, and why fishing remains his ultimate escape.

Had Klay Thompson on my podcast and asked him to name his Top Shooters in the NBA today! (no order):

Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Devin Booker
Himself
HM: Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard

NEW EPISODE w/ @KlayThompson OUT NOWhttps://t.co/9meCWcE0qL pic.twitter.com/Fk30IDocMm

— Michael Cooper (@ShowtimeCooper) August 31, 2025

Timestamps
00:00 Intro — Coop welcomes Klay
01:02 Early years: growing up around Kobe & the Lakers
03:12 Pre-dynasty Warriors & Mark Jackson’s influence
05:18 First ring & the 3-point revolution
07:34 Practice battles, brotherhood & championships
10:05 “Splash Brothers” nickname origin
12:06 Playing with Kyrie Irving & his leadership
15:15 Roster depth & Mavericks expectations
17:28 Top-5 shooters in today’s game
19:21 Top-5 shooters all-time
21:05 Big3 talk & 4-point shot
22:26 Fishing & life outside basketball
24:35 Wrap

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The post Klay Thompson Talks Lakers Roots, Splash Brothers & New Mavericks Era | Showtime w/ Coop appeared first on CLNS Media.

When it comes to the greatest backcourt trios in NBA history, there are two groups of players that are often compared: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Vinnie Johnson of the Detroit Pistons, and Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper of the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers’ trio is often celebrated for their dominance in the NBA in the 1980s, the Pistons’ trio deserves just as much recognition, if not more, for their incredible skills and accomplishments. Here are some reasons why the Pistons’ trio was a better backcourt than the Lakers‘ trio.

First, the Pistons’ trio was known for their incredible toughness and resilience. They were nicknamed the “Bad Boys” for a reason, as they played an aggressive and physical style of basketball that often intimidated their opponents. Thomas was the heart and soul of the team, known for his fiery personality and fearless approach to the game. Dumars was a steady and reliable shooting guard who could score from anywhere on the court and was a lockdown defender. Johnson, meanwhile, was a sixth man who came off the bench and provided an instant spark with his scoring ability, giving him his nickname, “The Microwave”.

Together, these three players formed a backcourt that was almost impossible to stop. They had a remarkable chemistry on the court, with Thomas and Dumars combining for a deadly one-two punch and Johnson adding a crucial scoring boost off the bench. They were also able to play excellent defense, with Thomas and Dumars frequently shutting down some of the best guards in the league.

In addition to their toughness and skill, the Pistons’ trio was also incredibly successful. They won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, beating old rival Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and LA Lakers along the way. They were able to defeat the Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals, proving that they were a force to be reckoned with even against some of the greatest players in the game.

While the Lakers’ trio was undoubtedly talented, they were not quite as dominant as the Pistons’ trio. Johnson was a transcendent talent and one of the greatest players in NBA history, but Scott and Cooper were more role players than superstars. They were both excellent at what they did, with Scott providing a scoring boost and Cooper playing lockdown defense, but they were not quite as versatile or dominant as Thomas and Dumars.

In the end, while both backcourt trios were exceptional in their own right, the Pistons’ trio of Thomas, Dumars, and Johnson was simply better. They were tougher, more resilient, and more dynamic than the Lakers’ trio, and they left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. They may not be as celebrated as some of the other great players in NBA history, but they deserve just as much recognition for their incredible skills and accomplishments.

The post The ‘Bad Boys’ vs Showtime Lakers: Why the Pistons’ Backcourt Trio Reigns Supreme appeared first on CLNS Media.

Michael Cooper was a defensive stalwart and fan favorite, known for his tenacity on the court and his clutch shooting. In this video, we sit down with Scott and Cooper to discuss their memories of playing for the Showtime Lakers, one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. They share stories of their experiences on and off the court, their relationships with their teammates and coaches, and the strategies that made them so successful. As they reflect on their time with the Lakers, Scott and Cooper offer insights into what it takes to build a winning team, how to develop a championship mindset, and the importance of trust and camaraderie among teammates. They also discuss the challenges they faced, both on and off the court, and how they overcame them to become champions.

Throughout the video, we hear from Scott and Cooper about some of the most memorable moments of their careers, including their championship runs, their battles against other great teams of the era, and their interactions with some of the NBA’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Showtime Lakers, an avid NBA historian, or simply someone who loves great basketball, this video is sure to offer a fascinating glimpse into one of the most legendary teams in sports history. So sit back, relax, and join us as we revisit the glory days of the Showtime Lakers with two of their greatest players.

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TOPIC TIME STAMPS

00:00 – Intro

00:20 – Showtime Lakers best backcourt trio in nba history?

02:20 – FanDuel credit. Bet $5, receive $200 in bonus bets. Go to https///FanDuel.com/Boston

02:35 – welcome to Showtime Byron Scott! 03:01 – What city grew the best basketball players?

04:31 – the California basketball style

05:30 – The Lakers Enforcers of the 1980’s

06:20 – Byron Scott’s experience at Arizona State

07:30 – Byron Scott’s career accomplishments

08:20 – How Dennis Johnson helped Byron Scott make his decision to go pro

09:45 – Byron Scott as a rookie declared himself better than Magic Johnson

10:30 – Rookies, AC Green & Byron Scott’s first training camp with the lakers.

13:24 – Coop’s favorite sports book, https///FanDuel.com/Boston

14:29 – Byron Scott Tells a Jerry West story

15:30 – Byron Scott Tells a LeBron James story

16:16 – Byron Scott Tells a Doctor Buss Story

17:40 – Byron Scott Tells a Kyrie Irving Story

18:45 – Byron Scott Tells a Kobe Bryant Story

20:20 – Byron Scott Tells Celtics Lakers Stories

20:50 – Byron Scott & Michael Cooper’s Most Hated Celtics

21:07 – Byron Scott Tells a Danny Ainge story

22:30 – Byron Scott Tells a Cedric Maxwell story

24:00 – Do players in the NBA today still have that venom towards each other?

25:15 – How the players today are no longer students of NBA history

26:50 – How Byron Scott transitioned from playing to coaching in the NBA

28:42 – Byron Scott’s favorite team to coach

31:58 – Byron Scott’s favorite championship team with the Lakers + and the Pat Riley “back to back” promise 34:40 Michael Cooper & Byron Scott Tell ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons Stories

36:59 – Byron Scott talks about the health of the NBA today

39:00 – Thank you Byron Scott for joining Showtime with Coop

The post The Showtime Lakers’ Winning Culture with Byron Scott – Showtime Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

JJ told Stephen A. Smith and Chris “Maddog” Russo, “When I watch, let’s say Steph Curry, for example,” Redick continued, “When I watch Steph Curry off the ball in a playoff game getting grabbed and held by Marcus Smart, they’re attached to him at all times.”

On the day of his retirement from the Boston Celtics, when asked by reporters, Bird replied that Michael Cooper of the Los Angeles Lakers’ was his most formidable opponent. Larry Bird said, “The best defender I ever faced was definitely Michael Cooper.”

Considering Larry Bird’s rare praise of an opponent, it’s understandable that the always polite and mild mannered defensive legend,  would take some offense to these thoughtless statements by Redick. “Coop” didn’t just get pissed off but, after Dominque Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks called JJ’s statements to be “idiotic,” Bob Ryan of Goodman Ryan Tanguay Podcast questioned Redick’s basketball IQ, Nick Gelso, founder of CLNS, went on an extra-ordinary BoomerRANT, the 8x All-Defense and the league’s original “3 and D” player felt VERY talkative on the matter.

Mad Dog & JJ Reddick. This is gonna be a classic ?

[?: ESPN/youtube] pic.twitter.com/PprjLkPzkQ

— SplashBrosMuse (@SplashBrosMuse) February 15, 2023

Cooper was overseas when the ESPN aired the First Take segment and didn’t even know what was said until he returned late on Friday, February 25th, 1 week after the original airing of the ESPN segment, he immediately reached out CLNS to get his thoughts on record.

Recorded and released on Sunday that weekend, Cooper, in very uncharicteristic fashion, ranted on about the defensive physicality of the 1980’s, his experiences guarding Larry-Legend and he event went on to aim a harsh statement to Redick saying, “if you had played during the 80’s I’d have locked you up!” among other remarks in defense of Bird and the 1980’s players.

Throughout the epic 20 minute rant, the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year, cautioned fans and former players in the media from comparing decades, the 5x NBA champion said, “let’s leave comparisons to the fans…”

In typical fashion, Coop issued JJ an apology at the very end of the episode.

Michael Cooper, a defensive “monster” on the court in his day and a retired gentleman in his post playing career.

Subscribe to the Showtime with Coop Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

Ever wondered who Larry Bird considered to be the best defender he ever faced? Find out in this video! Boston Celtics legend and NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird called Michael Cooper of the Los Angeles Lakers “the best defender I ever faced.” Hear from ”Coop” about why he thought Bird was so formidable and how their battles on the court were some of his favorite memories.

Get ready to hear the incredible stories of how Larry Bird and Michael Cooper battled it out on the court, and how Cooper’s defensive skills ultimately earned him the defensive title from Larry-Legend. Don’t miss this chance to hear an all-time great talk about one of his toughest opponents.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get an inside look into Coop’s reply to J.J. REDICK’S Larry Bird comments and find out why he was so difficult to defender .

The post Michael Cooper Responds to JJ Redick on Larry Bird, Steph Curry appeared first on CLNS Media.

NBA History was made on Thursday night as LeBron James achieved a remarkable milestone in his career by moving ahead of the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. With this accomplishment, James has cemented himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court. His hard work and dedication have paid off as he now stands alone atop the leaderboard with a total of 33,655 points scored over his illustrious career. This achievement is a testament to LeBron’s greatness and will be remembered for years to come.

Michael Cooper won 5 championships with Kareem and is still an LA Lakers legend and ambassador. In this episode of Showtime w/ Coop, Michael talks about Kareem and the magnitude of LeBron moving into #1. He also broke down the lakers trade deadline moves and how they impact their playoff rvun.

The post A Historic Moment: Michael Cooper Reacts to LeBron Passing Kareem – Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Big Shot Bob joins the pod!

0:45 Robert’s on growing up in Alabama

14:30 Coop’s Lightning Round

– 14:40 Wimp Sanderson

– 15:18 Latrell Sprewell

– 17:55 James Worthy

– 18:55 Phil Jackson

22:47 How ‘Big Shot Bob’ started

26:10 What people don’t know about Tony Parker

28:00 Robert’s favorite championship

30:25 A. C. Green’s trash talking

31:08 Robert on Lakers and their future

36:00 NBA Playoffs: Who wins the East & West

38:05 Robert’s new podcast ‘NBA Finals File’

39:15 Robert on why Coop is a Hall of Famer

Listen and Subscribe to the Showtime Lakers Podcast with Michael Cooper and Ari Temkin on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.

Showtime Lakers Podcast with Michael Cooper and Ari Temkin is Powered by BetOnline.ag, Use Promo Code: CLNS50 for a 50% Welcome Bonus On Your First Deposit!

The post Robert Horry talks about his favorite title, where Big Shot Rob came from and the Lakers future appeared first on CLNS Media.

He also explained that the two were similar in that they were both leaders by example. “Kobe led by example and so did Michael Jordan. They were never vocal, they just let their play do the talking. And that’s what I tried to do.”

It was an interesting insight into how Bryant approached the game and it’s no wonder that Owens found so many similarities in Kobe and himself. The two may have had played different sports but their actions on the court, and field spoke volumes and in a very unspoken way, helped other players step up their game as well.

Owens speaks fondly of his relationship with Bryant saying he always felt like Kobe was there for him ever since their first meeting in 2005. From that moment forward, he says Kobe was always supportive and encouraging of his career, even offering advice when needed.

Did you enjoy today’s segments? If so, head over to the CLNS history channel for more of the iconic moments in NBA history.

Deep Dive Iconic Moments in NBA History Here

In addition to being inspired by the Lakers legend, the two became really good friends. TO said he admired Bryant for a number of reasons, including his family life and how well-rounded he was in all facets of life.

“Kobe would always talk to me about parenting,” Owens said during an interview on Showtime Podcast with Coop. “He always said it’s not just about going to work and providing for your family, but you have to be a part of their lives as well.”

It’s clear that the respect was mutual between these two sports icons and while Kobe Bryant has now left us, TO will always share memories an amazing friendship. As time passes by, Kobe Bryant continues to inspire and drive stories all over the web. Kobe left us too soon but through sports legends like Michael Cooper bringing on guests in the sports world, we find out the love for Kobe continues to this day.

Something tells me that won’t be changing any time soon and, for that, we are very lucky.

For more of Showtime with Coop podcast, subscribe on iOS Apple Podcast or Spotify

The post Kobe Bryant and Terrell Owens: An Unlikely Friendship appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Celtics got revenge in 2010, then to close 2014 they got dealt for each other as part of a December blockbuster trade, before both landing on the same Pelicans team as veterans 2017-18.

Rondo’s career spiraled after the trade and despite building one of the best starts to a young point guard’s career with the Celtics, injuries and personality clashes seemed to doom his chances to join the greats at his position. After reestablishing his reputation between the Bulls, Kings and Pelicans, Rondo won his second title with the Lakers this season, though Nelson considers that secondary to what he considers Rondo’s hall-of-fame resumé.

“He’s pretty much part of all the game plans,” Nelson said on his CLNS Media podcast that’s out in full on Monday. You could see on the bench he’s got the clipboard, he’s got the iPad. He’s doing things in the course of a game that a coach would do and he’s actually translating it to the court … he’s definitely a student of the game and to me he’s definitely a Hall of Famer. How do you not?”

Rondo passed Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen, Steve Nash and Larry Bird for all-time playoff assists in NBA history with 1,086 this postseason, only trailing five other players including Magic Johnson and LeBron James. He ranks 15th all-time in assists, with six seasons ranking in the top six of the NBA. He also holds the 12th most triple doubles, ranks 52nd in steals and seventh in assist percentage. According to Basketball Reference, he holds a 60.6% Hall of Fame probability. That’s higher than Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson.

The knocks on Rondo’s career stand equally staggering to his passing and defensive prowess. He missed over half of his games (51.6%) between 2011-14. The Mavericks sunk to a 4-1 first round exit after acquiring him and he floated around as a role player after. He’s since averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists with four teams.

“He got a bad rep for whatever reason, Nelson said. “That’s when people started to shy away from Rondo a little bit, but I was still a fan. I personally knew when he went to Dallas, when I was in that trade, I could just tell personality-wise it was going to be a fit … just hearing how he demanded things form his team, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good fit in Dallas.”

Landing in Los Angeles changed Rondo’s fortune and notoriety by joining LeBron’s pursuit of a fourth ring. The pair missed the playoffs in 2019, but Rondo could get James off the ball, fit the team’s salary cap maneuvering and filled a veteran role on a young team. He became a league-average three-point shooter. Then Anthony Davis arrived in an overhaul trade.

Rondo remained the team’s regular point guard into bench lineups as the trade gutted LA’s depth, allowing the Lakers to play tighter rotations and challenge opposing guards like Jamal Murray. He challenged LeBron publicly for his body language toward the team’s younger players and shot 40% from three after suffering a thumb injury.

Championships boost a player’s Hall of Fame status in popular discussions. The NBA’s lighter standards that allow for wider impacts beyond statistics to pull players like Yao Ming into the Hall, and Rondo’s role in the lone title for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and its impact in Celtics history could stand tall enough with the Lakers chip during the historic bubble season solidifying it.

Rondo’s individually great passing prowess also enters him into the conversation in a way that international careers, peak performance and Olympic production do for others. Those factors likely allow Rondo’s teammate Dwight Howard to enter the hall despite his similar castoff years and inconsistency.

“I’m a big fan of Rondo,” Nelson said. “I always was and always will be. Just because of how he competes. We have a lot of battles when I was in Orlando and he was in Boston. It was fun. After the game we’d dap each other up, go our separate way. When we got on the same team in New Orleans, it was just fun to see how he processed the game. It was fun to see how he worked and how he thought about things.”

The post Is Rajon Rondo a Hall of Famer after Lakers Championship? appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Celtics got revenge in 2010, then to close 2014 they got dealt for each other as part of a December blockbuster trade, before both landing on the same Pelicans team as veterans 2017-18.

Rondo’s career spiraled after the trade and despite building one of the best starts to a young point guard’s career with the Celtics, injuries and personality clashes seemed to doom his chances to join the greats at his position. After reestablishing his reputation between the Bulls, Kings and Pelicans, Rondo won his second title with the Lakers this season, though Nelson considers that secondary to what he considers Rondo’s hall-of-fame resumé.

“He’s pretty much part of all the game plans,” Nelson said on his CLNS Media podcast that’s out in full on Monday. You could see on the bench he’s got the clipboard, he’s got the iPad. He’s doing things in the course of a game that a coach would do and he’s actually translating it to the court … he’s definitely a student of the game and to me he’s definitely a Hall of Famer. How do you not?”

Rondo passed Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen, Steve Nash and Larry Bird for all-time playoff assists in NBA history with 1,086 this postseason, only trailing five other players including Magic Johnson and LeBron James. He ranks 15th all-time in assists, with six seasons ranking in the top six of the NBA. He also holds the 12th most triple doubles, ranks 52nd in steals and seventh in assist percentage. According to Basketball Reference, he holds a 60.6% Hall of Fame probability. That’s higher than Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson.

The knocks on Rondo’s career stand equally staggering to his passing and defensive prowess. He missed over half of his games (51.6%) between 2011-14. The Mavericks sunk to a 4-1 first round exit after acquiring him and he floated around as a role player after. He’s since averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists with four teams.

“He got a bad rep for whatever reason, Nelson said. “That’s when people started to shy away from Rondo a little bit, but I was still a fan. I personally knew when he went to Dallas, when I was in that trade, I could just tell personality-wise it was going to be a fit … just hearing how he demanded things form his team, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good fit in Dallas.”

Landing in Los Angeles changed Rondo’s fortune and notoriety by joining LeBron’s pursuit of a fourth ring. The pair missed the playoffs in 2019, but Rondo could get James off the ball, fit the team’s salary cap maneuvering and filled a veteran role on a young team. He became a league-average three-point shooter. Then Anthony Davis arrived in an overhaul trade.

Rondo remained the team’s regular point guard into bench lineups as the trade gutted LA’s depth, allowing the Lakers to play tighter rotations and challenge opposing guards like Jamal Murray. He challenged LeBron publicly for his body language toward the team’s younger players and shot 40% from three after suffering a thumb injury.

Championships boost a player’s Hall of Fame status in popular discussions. The NBA’s lighter standards that allow for wider impacts beyond statistics to pull players like Yao Ming into the Hall, and Rondo’s role in the lone title for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and its impact in Celtics history could stand tall enough with the Lakers chip during the historic bubble season solidifying it.

Rondo’s individually great passing prowess also enters him into the conversation in a way that international careers, peak performance and Olympic production do for others. Those factors likely allow Rondo’s teammate Dwight Howard to enter the hall despite his similar castoff years and inconsistency.

“I’m a big fan of Rondo,” Nelson said. “I always was and always will be. Just because of how he competes. We have a lot of battles when I was in Orlando and he was in Boston. It was fun. After the game we’d dap each other up, go our separate way. When we got on the same team in New Orleans, it was just fun to see how he processed the game. It was fun to see how he worked and how he thought about things.”

The post Is Rajon Rondo a Hall of Famer after Lakers Championship? appeared first on CLNS Media.

In the latest episode of Showtime with Coop, Michael Cooper asked his former teammate Mychal Thompson to name his current top-five players in the league today, disregarding positions.

Thompson, whose NBA career spanned 14 seasons and two championships, named LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and a healthy Kevin Durant as his personal top five.

When pressed whether or not he would include Steph Curry on his list, Thompson had a reason for why he left the dynamic Golden State guard off.

“Steph, he’s in the conversation, but because he doesn’t affect the game on both ends the way those others five do, because we’re not just talking about scoring, the five that I mentioned can impact the game on offense and on defense,” Thompson said.

Having been an impactful player himself for years in the league and also watching great players up close for years both as a father to Klay and as a Lakers broadcaster, Thompson certainly knows elite talent when he sees it.

Listen to the full episode of Showtime with Coop to learn more of what Mychal Thompson had to share with his former teammate Coop’.

The post Showtime with Coop: Mychal Thompson’s top-five current NBA players appeared first on CLNS Media.