OAKLAND — If they could sign lifetime contracts, Warriors star Klay Thompson might have inked one Thursday. He was feeling that good.

Maybe this feeling will last beyond this fantasy of a day, when the clouds cleared the sky in adoration of the Warriors. Maybe it stays with him Into next season and beyond, into the summer of 2019. That’s when the Warriors’ superstar quartet, which made a pact to play together last July, will have its unity first tested. And the first stay-or-leave choice will land in the lap of Thompson.

The way he felt this day, he can’t leave. How could he walk away from this?

“At the end of the day, I’ve tasted winning,” Thompson said, looking down through a his sunglasses. “No stats can ever overcome that. I’d rather win these championships and score no points than have 60-point games and 37-point quarters. These championships are everything to me.”

During exclusive access with Thompson, behind the scenes and on his bus at the parade, there was zero sign of malcontent. No signs of frustration from getting fewer touches. No evidence of bitterness from not being named All-NBA after being overshadowed by his dominant peers.

9:06 a.m.: Thompson posts up in the corner of the locker room next to Kevin Durant, who arrived minutes earlier. Durant, in the official blue championship shirt with black shorts and low-top Nikes, was chilling up against a wall under a David West picture. There was enough room on the pad he was sitting for Thompson, wearing gray pants with white Anta sneakers and a white t-shirt with Chinese characters inside a hand flashing three fingers.

Durant’s presence carved into Thompson’s opportunities. He averaged five fewer shots this postseason than he did a year ago, before Durant. But if that created any problems between them, it certainly wasn’t visible as they chatted with JaVale McGee. Most of the players were there, and Klay said what’s up to them. But with Durant, he posted up, spent some time.

9:28 a.m.: Klay is on about an hour of sleep, maybe two, after a long night of partying — a nice chunk at The Grand in San Francisco. There is still an hour and a half of waiting before he loads onto his bus, which he shared with Matt Barnes. But an hour and a half feels like an eternity. Klay finds a bench and gets a few winks of rest. His dad, Mychel Thompson, is sitting on a bench next to him.

Klay has signed autographs, taken photos and shaken hands. He’s ready to get this show on the road.

9:52 a.m.: Klay arrives on his bus, which is the first of seven player buses.

“I’m glad they have me shooting,” Thompson said when he sees his likeness painted on the side. “That’s better than some post pivot like I’m Zaza or something.”

The crew is getting settled on the bus. It’s Klay and Matt Barnes in the front, their parents tucked off in the back. Barnes also has his two sons, Carter and Isaiah, two siblings and a nephew on board. Also part of the crew, platinum-selling rapper G-Eazy, an Oakland native. His shirt bragged “Hyphy Veteran” – championing the era of Bay Area hip-hop that made him famous.

Joining us on board were the bottles. Lots of bottles of Body Armor, the sports drink Klay endorses. And lots of bottles of Belaire Luxe, a cuvee popularized by rapper Rick Ross. There were also a couple bottles of Crown Royal, which were apparently given to all the players. Klay, though, didn’t have his name engraved on a bottle of Hennessy as did his head coach, so he’s still got some levels to reach.

Bay Area News Group Columnist Marcus Thompson films Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson celebrating with fans during the NBA championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson and Matt Barnes jump off their double decker bus to celebrate with fans during the NBA championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

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Bay Area News Group Columnist Marcus Thompson films as Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson celebrates during the NBA championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)



Cigar firmly clenched in his teeth, Stephen Curry poses with the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors' NBA championship rally in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson celebrates with fans during the NBA championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Confetti flies as Stephen Curry tries to take a team selfie with the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors' NBA championship rally Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)



Confetti reins down on the Golden State Warriors' 2017 championship team at the end of their rally in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Kevin Durant clutches the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the Golden State Warriors' NBA championship rally in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Confetti reins down on the Golden State Warriors 2017 championship team at the end of their rally in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)



A sea of humanity fills the lawn near the Alameda County Courthouse waiting for the Golden State Warriors to arrive to celebrate their second NBA championship in three years with victory rally at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

With a cigar firmly clenched in his teeth, Stephen Curry poses with the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors' NBA championship rally in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

A shower of blue and gold confetti is displayed as Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry celebrate along the route during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)



Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green greets fans after he got out of his designated double decker bus at Grand Avenue and Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry opens a bottle of champagne along the route during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Assistant Coach Mike Brown greets fans as the confetti falls along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)(Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)



Kevin Durant celebrates with his MVP trophy along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

The Golden State Warriors ownership bus heads down Broadway during their NBA championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry greets fans along the route during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)



Klay Thompson acknowledges the crowd as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans react to the arrival of Stephen Curry along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Zaza Pachulia acknowledges the crowd as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Klay Thompson clutches the Larry O'Brien championship as Golden State Warriors celebrate their second NBA championship in three years with victory rally at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Fans go crazy as Kevin Durant starts goes by along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry drinks from a bottle of champagne as his wife Ayesha Curry looks on along the route during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)



Fans go crazy as Klay Thompson starts the parade out on Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Kevin Durant Celebrates with his MVP trophy along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr greets the fans on Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)(Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)



Klay Thompson greets the crowds as they make their way along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green greets fans after he got out of his designated double decker bus at Grand Avenue and Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Zaza Pachulia greets fans along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)



Tyler Redding, 9, of Pleasanton, left, and Cee Cousteau, of Oakland, now living in Hollywood, cheer on Broadway near 20th Street before the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Assistant Coach Mike Brown greets fans as the confetti falls along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Kevin Durant and David West celebrate as they make their way along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)



Jeff Thomas holds the 2015 Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy as The Golden State Warriors championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

The Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Broadway near Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry greets fans along the route during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)



Fans cheer on Broadway near 20th Street before the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Stephen Curry holds the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy as his wife Ayesha is reflected in it during the Golden State Warriors championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

The Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Broadway near Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and M.C. Hammer ride a flame-shooting snail art car as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Kevin Durant acknowledges the crowd as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Stephen Curry, with his wife Ayesha, left, holds the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy as the Golden State Warriors championship parade heads down Harrison Street in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



The Paramount Theatre's marquee displays a congratulatory message to the Golden State Warriors during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Ian Clark greets fans with the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy as the Golden State Warriors championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans along Harrison Street waits for the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade in Oakland, Calif., â€(TM)on Thursday, June 15, 2017â€¬. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)



Draymond Green greets the crowd as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Broadway near Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

(Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group) Stephen Curry hugs the Championship Trophy as they make their way along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and M.C. Hammer ride a snail art car as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green waves to fans from a double decker bus at Grand Avenue and Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Marques Cheney, left, and Jayson Stinson, both of Pittsburg, wait on Broadway near 20th Street for the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally to begin in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Stephen Curry holds the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy as the Golden State Warriors championship parade heads down Harrison Street in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



A fan gives a big hug to Assistant Coach Mike Brown as he greets fans along Broadway during the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Zaza Pachulia acknowledges the crowd as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans cheer as the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Broadway Harrison Street in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



The Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade heads down Broadway near Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Omar Aquipel, of San Jose, kisses a cardboard NBA finals trophy on Broadway near 20th Street before the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Fans cheer on Broadway near 20th Street before the Golden State Warriors NBA championship parade and rally in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena on Monday to win their second NBA title in three years. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Golden State Warriors fans waits for the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA championship victory parade and rally in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

10:10 a.m.: The bus starts moving down 11th street, coming up on the start of the parade. The roar from the fans who have been waiting for hours gets louder as the bus inches along. By the time we arrive to the front of the Marriott, Klay is already waiving his blue championship t-shirt like a towel. He’s starting to feel it.

“You see how happy people are,” Thompson said. “We bring the city together. We’ve got to make this a regular thing.”

10:17 a.m.: The ride turns left and heads down Broadway, through a confetti shower. Klay is really feeling it now. The balloons. The cheers. He’s looking for anything to throw into the crowd. He gets his hands on some yellow towels and chucks them into the sea. Barnes takes a bottle of the champagne, shakes it and sprays the crowd.

10:34 a.m.: Klay’s getting increasingly hyped. It’s too much for him to contain on the top of a double-decker tour bus. So he gets off. He and Matt Barnes. They go get up close and personal with the people.

“We’re like the Lakers,” G-Eazy said.

Klay got back on the bus, but he was on full tilt. With a beaming smile, he worked his way to the middle of the bus. He leaned over the age and screamed back at the fans.

10:47 a.m.: The cigars came out. It was his brother Mychel who started the toking. Next thing you know, the bus was a smoke shop. Mychal Thompson, who was part of a couple of Lakers parades in his day, didn’t light his.

“I’m saving it for later,” he said, beaming with proud.



‘Gold Standard’ chronicles the Warriors run to the 2017 NBA Championship. Order the book here.

10:52: Back off the bus. Klay runs down one side of the street, slapping hands. He then jogged to the other side of the street and did the same. The sweat was showing through the back of his t-shirt as the UV index was climbing.

Klay got back on the bus. But two minutes later, he hopped back off. He forgot his cigar.

He signed the hat of a kid with it hanging from his mouth. He stuck his tongue out during one selfie like he was the fifth member of Kiss. He screamed “That’s two of ’em” as his energy started peaking.

One fan sprayed Klay with champagne as he walked by. Klay responded by giving the guy a hug. He went back on the bus panting slightly after zig-zagging down Lakeshore.

11:08: Klay’s back off the bus, jumping off with a scream like he was trying to scare the crowd. He signs a picture of his face and skips to the tune of more cheers.

He can barely hold in the glee. Problem is, there are no more fans left. Klay was trying to get past a rails to get to more fans. But security and Warriors officials The parade route had ended. We were at the Kaiser Convention Center, where the rally would take place.

“It’s so much more to being part of a team and being part of something special,” Klay said, finally getting a chance to sit and check his phone. “You can build a legacy … The thing with basketball these days, there’s a lot of individuality with stats, numbers, Who’s the greatest, he’s a better player than him, he put up this many points. But Steve (Kerr) helped me a lot with that. He said nobody is going to remember how many points you put up. They are going to remember how many championships you win. This right here is what it’s about?

All the Warriors can hope is that he remembers this feeling.



‘Gold Standard’ chronicles the Warriors run to the 2017 NBA Championship. Order the book here.