HOUSTON _ Three days after critiquing Warriors fans for how loudly they cheered at Oracle Arena, Klay Thompson clarified his feelings about the team's fanbase.
He tweeted Tuesday: "I love DubNation. We have the greatest fan base in sports. We feed greatly off their energy in Oracle and I meant no disrespect. #timetogotowork #roadwarriors"
Following the Warriors' 115-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Oracle Arena, Thompson lamented the team's play mirrored the fans' enthusiasm during the game.
"I know it's not the playoffs. But it is our last go around at Oracle," Thompson said. "Stand up or something when we make a play. We need that energy, especially this time of year. It's hard to conjure up energy every single night because you're looking forward to the playoffs in that run. So we expect our fans to kind of bring that from the jump."
After Monday's optional practice, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he "understood what he was talking about." With the Warriors winning three NBA championships in the past four years, Kerr observed that the "the fans were probably more excited five years ago than they are now because the journey was fresh and new." Still, Kerr believed in the Field of Dreams' ethos, "if you build it, they will come."
"It's all tied together," Kerr said. "When you play well, when you play with great energy and a great pace and spirit, fans are going to be naturally more excited."
In what marks the beginning of a four-game trip, the Warriors (45-21) enter Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets (42-25) with a 24-10 record at Oracle Arena this season. In the previous four seasons, the Warriors have gone a combined 143-21 at home. The Warriors play next at Oracle Arena on March 21 against the Indiana Pacers.
Perhaps then, the Warriors will field a loud fan reception.
"It's like us, though. You can't bring it every night," Thompson said of Warriors fans. "But it helps when it doesn't matter if you're playing the Suns or the Bucks, whoever it is. We need energy from them because we feed off of that."
