CHICAGO -- Officially, Trayce Thompson is keeping his pick to win the NBA Finals to himself, just as he did last year, when his brother, Klay, won a championship with the Golden State Warriors.
"I didn't pick last year, so I'm not going to pick again this year, but I think [people] know who I'll be rooting for," said Thompson, who's played his way into the Dodgers' lineup. "We'll see. Hopefully, it's not as nail-biting as this last series."
Thompson broke away from a team event on Monday night in Chicago to watch the second half of the Warriors' victory over the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA's Western Conference finals, a series they had trailed, 3-1.
It might have been nerve-wracking, but Thompson was confident Golden State would advance. He has the same confidence heading into the NBA Finals, which begin on Thursday at Oracle Arena. The Warriors must defeat the Cavaliers to repeat as champions.
"I think if they just take it one game at a time, they're going to be fine," Thompson said. "If you think about taking the Warriors over somebody just for one game, you're probably going to take the Warriors. They just have to try to take it one game at a time."
Thompson will be just as excited to see Klay win another title as Klay was to watch Trayce make his Major League debut last season with the White Sox after spending parts of seven seasons in the Minors.
"It's been a dream come true, not just for him but for all of our family," Thompson said of Klay's role with the Warriors. "To watch him and see what his career has turned into, it's been amazing. I think we all expected it. I expected it, so I'm very proud of him."
The Dodgers have high expectations for their Thompson, who entered Wednesday's game hitting .266 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. After being acquired in an offseason trade, Thompson is doing more than just holding his own in his first full Major League season. He's making a strong impression on teammates and coaches alike, including manager Dave Roberts.
"I think you try to gauge players," Roberts said. "I think he'll make an All-Star team. That's where I see him. I think he'll be an All-Star at some point. I do."