Klay Thompson had a nice weekend in Southern California. On Monday, against his father’s old team, he hit a record 10 consecutive 3-pointers, scored 44 points and helped the Warriors avenge their embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Lakers.

Spike Lee used to ask Michael Jordan, “Is it the shoes?” Monday, people were asking Thompson, “Is it the dog?”

Thompson is such an unconscious shooter that he probably doesn’t need any secret weapons.

But he brought one to Los Angeles anyway. His beloved bulldog, Rocco.

“It’s good to bring him down here,” Thompson said after his scorching night. “It’s nice to bring him to my parents’ house, which he loves. It’s just nice to have your pet. They bring you a lot of joy.”

Of all of Thompson’s likable traits, his pure, unabashed love for his dog may be No. 1. He prefers Rocco’s company to addressing hordes of reporters. With zero self-consciousness, he talks about the unconditional love a dog brings. Last spring, his shoe company Anta released a limited edition Klay Thompson “Rocco” shoe.

The bond began eight years ago, when Rocco was an 11-week-old puppy and Thompson was a 21-year-old rookie. When he signed his $70 million extension in 2014, Rocco was the first to know.

“He didn’t know what it meant,” Thompson said. “That’s why I love him, though. He didn’t care the day before I signed the contract or the day of. He just loved me for me.”

That “awww” mentality has earned a following among dog lovers. My neighbor just adopted an 8-week-old puppy. His name? Klay, of course.

ESPN tried to get Rocco on for an in-studio appearance in L.A., but it didn’t work out. As the Warriors move on to the East Coast portion of their trip, Rocco will stay behind with Thompson’s parents, Julie and Mychal, in Orange County.

“He loves the sunshine,” Thompson said.

Despite an accident in the hotel room, Rocco’s first road trip was a success. So, after inspiring a 44-point performance, will he come on more?

“Naw, he was all up in my aisle in the plane, taking up space,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “I need my leg room.”

Then he reconsidered, thinking about what Rocco’s bestie had done at Staples Center.

“He might,” Curry said, “need his own hotel room every night.”

Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: akillion@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annkillion