Kerr: 'I'm the only guy who can hold Klay under 80'

While it was unquestionably the right move for his team's long-term health, Steve Kerr still received plenty of flak for sitting Klay Thompson during the shooting guard's 60-point explosion on Monday.

Well aware of the criticism, the Golden State Warriors bench boss chose to poke fun at the situation Tuesday, joking that he was the only reason Klay failed to reach 80 points.

"They said (former North Carolina coach) Dean Smith was the only guy who could hold MJ under 20," Kerr told Anthony Slater of the San Jose Mercury News. "I'm the only guy who can hold Klay under 80."

Thompson looked unstoppable versus the Indiana Pacers, going a staggering 21-of-33 from the field in just 29 minutes of action. His 60 points were a record for any player who's logged less than 30 minutes in the shot clock era.

Given how quickly he reached 60, it's entirely possible Klay could've scored 20 more points in the fourth to reach 80 - a feat only accomplished by two players in NBA history (Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant).

Although Thompson likely would've preferred to stay in, he most certainly realizes the importance of rest after the Warriors' collapse during last year's Finals.