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Klay's big night for Warriors reverberates
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Sunday, January 25, 2015 - 5:15pm
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Forty-three hours after torching the Sacramento Kings and etching his name into the NBA record book, Klay Thompson remains the talk of the Warriors and the league.

That's what happens when a feat defies man's natural imperfection.

Lakers legend Magic Johnson took to Twitter, proclaiming LeBron James and Thompson as the top all-around players in the NBA –- and adding that Thompson should join teammate Stephen Curry as starters in the upcoming All-Star Game.

Jerry West, a Lakers legend who currently serves as a Warriors executive board member, has spent the past two days raving about one of his favorite players.

[RELATED: Magic: Klay, LeBron 'two best all-around players' in NBA]

So, of course, Warriors coach Steve Kerr continued the lofty dialogue during his pregame news conference on Sunday.

"It was just an athlete in the ultimate zone, on a big stage, (with a) packed house in awe, his teammates in awe," Kerr said. "The coaching staff, we all just stared at each other. We couldn't believe what we were witnessing."

What everyone at Oracle Arena Friday night witnessed was Thompson scoring 52 points –- 37 of which came in the third quarter, establishing a record for points in a single quarter.

Moreover, he made every shot he took.

A 13-footer at the left elbow, then a 3-pointer from atop the arc, then another trey from the left wing, followed by a slam off a Curry lob pass. There was a 3-pointer from the right wing, then a deep trey from the top, followed by a turnaround catch-and-fire trey from the wing.

Thompson then took a break, zinging a wraparound pass to Draymond Green for an easy layup, before resuming his torture of the nets.

He dropped in a 3-pointer that hit the rim and the backboard before falling through, followed by a driving finger roll, followed by another catch-and-shoot trey from the right wing. He nailed jumper from the right elbow, then a ridiculous corner trey, and then another 3-pointer from up top before finishing his blitz with two free throws.

"I've never seen anything like it," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said during his pregame news conference Sunday. "It was unbelievable to watch.

"Usually, I listen to music while I watch games. But I turned on their announcers and they were pretty speechless after about point 25."

So miraculous was Thompson during that absurd stretch, he would have found a way to shoot the ball through the eye of a needle.

"There was very little strategy," Kerr conceded. "It was incredibly beautiful to watch."

This was not an argument to be selected for the Western Conference All-Star team, nor was it a case of Thompson seeking the warmth and light that might come from stepping out of the mammoth shadow of an enormously popular teammate. Nor was Thompson out to further validate the faith of CEO Joe Lacob, who in October gritted his teeth and gave Thompson a four-year contract extension with $69 million.

That's not Klay's style. He does not play basketball to make statements, nor does he live for the attention of others.

[RELATED: What they're saying: Thompson explodes for 52 vs. Kings]

Thompson's magnetic performance in that third quarter was a rare instance of an athlete experiencing temporary invincibility. Klay entered that supernatural sphere that can't be located, no matter how many navigational tools are at one's disposal.

It's not something that can be anticipated. It can't be found. It finds you.

And yet, this was the result of labor. Thompson's abundant gifts blended with thousands upon thousands of hours of intense preparation to deliver a feat never seen in the history of the NBA.

Therefore, of course, the buzz that continues and likely will for weeks and months and years to come.

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