Tristan Thompson went on a profane tirade after his Kings lost 107-97 to the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Thompson — asked about the Wolves going on a run, and whether inspiration needed to come from Kings coach Luke Walton or more vocal leadership from players — responded that he doesn’t need a “f–king coach to inspire me”.
Warning: strong language
“No man in this world should rely on another man to inspire them,” Thomspon said. “No one should ever need a coach to inspire you. If you don’t get inspired in a game then you shouldn’t be on the court. Losing teams, losing players, you need to get inspiration from your coach. I’m not with that s–t. My teammates better not be with it.
Tristan Thompson with the Kings Getty Images“It’s not about Coach Walton inspiring you. This is not no freaking ‘Glory Road’ s–t. You better be ready to play. Your number’s called in a damn game, I don’t need no f–king coach to inspire me. Never that. Never have. Never will. The day I need a coach to inspire me is the day I’m f–king retiring. I’m a go play with my kids at the park.”
Tristan Thompson grabs a rebound against the Timberwolves on Nov. 17, 2021. NBAE via Getty ImagesAlso in the postgame press conference, Thompson talked about how the Kings should’ve been 4-0 on a road trip in which they’ve gone 1-3, and that they shouldn’t be losing games to rebuilding teams like the Thunder and Spurs.
The Kings are 6-9 and have dropped five of their past six games.
