Scott Garceau: Head Case - Klay Thompson
I'm not a doctor but I have a minor in common sense and that takes us to Golden State's Klay Thompson. The sweet-shooter was knocked out of the Warriors West clinching win Wednesday night when he was struck flush in the temple with the knee of Rockets forward Trevor Ariza. The slo-mo replay clearly showed inadvertent but violent head trauma.
Thompson lay dazed on the court before he was taken to the locker room for an examination. Again, I'm not a doctor but that sure looked like a concussion to me. I guess not, the Golden State medical staff checked him out; Thompson got a few stitches to his ear and returned to the bench. I wasn't surprised when Thompson explained he was a little "woozy" in his on-court post-game interview, concussions will do that to you.
Thompson's Dad and former Laker Mychal had to drive his son home after the game and told ESPN radio Klay threw up and experienced other "concussion-like symptoms" late Wednesday. "He threw up a lot late last night but he felt much better afterwards," said Thompson. "Hopefully this break in the schedule will be a good break for Klay and the Warriors."
Here's where it gets sticky, so far the Warriors haven't confirmed that Klay Thompson did in fact suffer a concussion, and as such the NBA's concussion protocol isn't currently in effect. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin next Thursday giving Thompson a week to recover. The plan is for Thompson to rest through the weekend while being monitored by Warriors team doctors, the same doctors that evaluated him during the game?
The team said after the game that "Thompson was evaluated by the Warriors medical staff immediately after suffering the injury and was put through a concussion evaluation. At the time he did not show any concussion-like symptoms. After the game he began to not feel well and developed concussion-like symptoms. He will continue to be evaluated by the team's medical staff."
In defense of Golden State medical staff that evaluation may have been well intentioned but too many times we've seen team doctors do what's best for the team not the player. Doctors are paid and often pressured by teams to get players on the court or field and the bigger the game the more pressure to play.
If pro sports leagues like the NBA really want to get serious about head injuries they'll have independent, not team, doctors monitoring TV broadcasts and examining players with head injuries. Until they do we'll have players who won't be able to drive themselves home after games. The Warriors need Klay Thompson as they try to win their first NBA title since 1975 and Klay Thompson will need a healthy brain to enjoy the rest of his life.
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