Latest news with #Mason&Ireland
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Klay Thompson mourns loss of beloved bulldog Rocco
Former Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is mourning the death of his longtime companion and English bulldog, Rocco, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 13. The news was shared by the Thompson's father, former NBA player and broadcaster Mychal Thompson, during an appearance on ESPN Los Angeles' 'Mason & Ireland' radio show on Wednesday. 'As Mase and Ireland always say, when someone dear has departed, 'Hail fellow well met,'' Mychal said. 'We had to put Rocco, Klay's dog, down over the weekend.' Thompson added that 'it was time,' noting the dog had lived a full life. 'We were all sad, but Rocco had a great, long life,' he said. 'So today's game is dedicated to the memory of our service men and women, and to Rocco.' Rocco became something of a celebrity in his own right as Thompson ascended to NBA superstardom. Adopted during Klay's rookie year, the bulldog was frequently featured in social media posts and interviews. Though Rocco hadn't appeared in the spotlight recently, his presence remained significant to Thompson, who has referred to him affectionately as his 'son.' Rocco's Instagram page amassed over 61,000 followers. Thompson, 35, completed his first season with the Dallas Mavericks this year after 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NBA star Klay Thompson suffers devastating loss as his dog Rocco passes away at 13
Klay Thompson. Image via: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images NBA veteran Klay Thompson has been hit with a heartbreaking personal tragedy. The four-time NBA champion is mourning the loss of his beloved English bulldog, Rocco, who passed away at age 13. The news was shared by Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, on ESPN LA's Mason & Ireland show, bringing an emotional moment to the sports world. The dog, who had been with Klay since his rookie season in 2011, was more than a pet; for the Thompsons, he was family. Rocco was a companion through every chapter of Klay Thompson's NBA journey Klay Thompson's bond with Rocco wasn't a side note in his career. Rocco was central to his personal journey. Mychal Thompson shared the sad news during a live radio segment, saying, "We had to put Rocco, Klay's dog, down over the weekend." He added, "We were all sad, but Rocco had a great, long life." The former Lakers star even dedicated the day's show to 'our service men and women, and to Rocco.' Klay, now with the Dallas Mavericks after 13 seasons with the Warriors, hasn't made a public statement yet. But his relationship with Rocco was well-known and deeply cherished. In past interviews, Klay had referred to the dog as his 'son.' He even recalled, 'My first memory of Rocco is picking him up from the breeder... Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Esseps Learn More Undo He was just a little puppy.' Over the years, Rocco became a favorite among fans. He starred in ad campaigns, had viral moments online, and even had his own Instagram account with over 61,000 followers. The pup was often seen by Klay's side during recovery from injuries. When asked in a 2022 interview how Rocco was doing, Klay responded, 'He'll be turning 10 on April 20… To be a 10-year-old bulldog, I'm very grateful for Rocco.' Even though Rocco had slowed down in recent years, his presence never faded from Klay's life. The dog had a reputation for being chill, loyal, and the perfect emotional support through the highs and lows of NBA life. Also Read: NBA legend Charles Barkley throws direct criticism at Karl-Anthony Towns' face after New York Knicks' Game 5 win against Indiana Pacers The basketball community responded with love. Rocco's memory will live on in the hearts of NBA fans and dog lovers alike. His life, filled with courtside cuddles and championship runs, was one worth celebrating. What was Rocco's cause of death? While Mychal Thompson did not explain the cause of death of their beloved dog, it can be assumed that Rocco died due to old age. According to PetMD, average lifespan of English Bulldog is about 8-10 years. Rocco accompanied the NBA star over 13 years and he will be his memory as a reminder of support in the Mavericks star's remianing journey in the league.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
RIP Rocco: Klay Thompson's beloved dog dies at 13
Klay Thompson's beloved English bulldog, Rocco, passed away at 13. Mychal Thompson, Klay's father, shared the news on ESPN's LA sports radio show "Mason & Ireland." 'As Mase and Ireland always say, when someone dear has departed, 'Hail fellow well met,'' Thompson said. 'We had to put Rocco, Klay's dog, down over the weekend.' He said the English bulldog was put down Saturday but that 'it was time.' 'We were all sad, but Rocco had a great, long life. So today's game is dedicated to the memory of our service men and women, and to Rocco,' he said. Mychal then lead a lighthearted trivia segment about the dog. Klay often referred to Rocco as his son. In 2014, while signing a $70 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, he asked general manager Bob Myers how much longer the process would take. 'We were trying to get the contract signed, and all he wanted to do was go home to his dog,' Myers recalled. In 2022, when asked about Rocco, Klay shared that the bulldog would turn 10 on April 20. 'He was born in mid-April at some point, but to make things easier, I say the 20th,' he said at the time. 'Easy date to remember and to be a 10-year-old bulldog, I'm very grateful for Rocco.' Fans mourned Rocco's passing on social media. One wrote, 'Damn. Mychal Thompson just said Klay had to send Rocco to doggy heaven last weekend. RIP Rocco the Bulldog.' Another wrote, 'I of course knew this day was coming but still dreaded it all the same. Seeing Klay/Rocco moments for like a decade always made my day. RIP Rocco.' A third person added, 'RIP Rocco. A warriors legend always.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Klay's father states son is ‘stuck in purgatory' with Mavericks
Klay's father states son is 'stuck in purgatory' with Mavericks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks are headed in a completely different direction than the Warriors right now. The former Golden State guard signed a free-agent contract with Dallas last offseason, and it's safe to say his 2024-25 NBA season has not gone the way he hoped it would. Just take his father, Mychal's, word for it. Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) spoke on his son Klay's experience in Dallas since the Luka trade. — ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) March 6, 2025 'No, no not at all,' Mychal Thompson said Thursday on ESPN Los Angeles' 'Mason & Ireland' show when a caller brought up Klay not expecting the Mavericks' season to unfold the way it has when he signed. 'He thought with Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie he had a chance to get back to the Finals. Obviously Luka left. When I told him [Anthony Davis] is coming, you still got a chance to get to the Finals because AD's that good. Then he's hurt. And then [Daniel] Gafford got hurt and then [Dereck] Lively got hurt. 'So yeah, Klay is stuck in purgatory right now, and if they hang on to the 10th seed, that will be the story of the year in the NBA. Because I think they're going to lose 10 in a row.' The unfortunate series of events, to put it lightly, that the Mavericks and their fans have experienced this season, including the stunning Dončić trade and the injuries to Davis, Gafford, Lively and now Irving, have presented Dallas (32-31) a very difficult path back to the playoffs this season. However, if the Mavericks were to get some of their injured stars back down the stretch, Mychal Thompson believes they still have a chance to make it through the NBA Play-In Tournament. 'If you get AD back, if you get the other two bigs back, you've got a chance at least to get to the first round and to try and get out of it,' Thompson said. 'But without Kyrie, they can forget about going to the Finals.' That's fair. Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
