Tristan Thompson: Initial Thoughts

[JAY1977]

I was skeptical with the pick of Thompson but after talking to my cousin who works closely with the men's basketball team at Texas I've begun to change my tone. From what she says is that Tristan is at the gym everyday always putting in the hard work necessary to become a better player, and truely cares about bettering his game. She also said that he is very excited to come to Cleveland with Kyrie and can't wait to prove those who doubt him wrong. Just thought I would pass along the little info about him she told me along I'm sure there will be more later on when she comes into Ohio for a visit.

What player would not be hitting the gym and working on their game to make sure that they don't suck on a national stage? Oh yeah AI ( insert practice quote here ). Kidding aside thanks for letting us know that this guy means business and works his tail off.

 

[Lumthemad]

This is where the lockout really just stings like hell. I wish we could see Tristan and Kyrie playing in the summer league and building chemistry together along with Eyenga, Gee and Samardo and Harris.

Based on what he said during being drafted it sounds like he's really trying to make that 15 footer a viable option in his offense. I would love to see that!

 

[Jon]

Draftexpress had a tweet in June mentioning how it common for a player's measurements can change from measure to measure, and that standing reach had the biggest variation.

Why? I'd guess a lot has to do with how loose the player's shoulders are.

Then it might not be particularly informative to compare two players at all - at least without some clue as to how much variation is typical.

 

[Jon]

What player would not be hitting the gym and working on their game to make sure that they don't suck on a national stage? Oh yeah AI ( insert practice quote here ). Kidding aside thanks for letting us know that this guy means business and works his tail off.

When you take the comment in the context of all the glowing things the people who've worked with Tristan keep saying about his commitment and work ethic and desire to learn/improve, it means a lot more.

 

[JAY1977]

When you take the comment in the context of all the glowing things the people who've worked with Tristan keep saying about his commitment and work ethic and desire to learn/improve, it means a lot more.

I am impressed with everything I here about the guy too I just could not resist making a little joke. I cant even imagine the pressure of being a #4 pick coming into the NBA but this guy seems to "get it" and will do everything possible to be as ready as he can be when his time comes. It is true hard work will only get you so far but it does help regardless.

 

[Cavatt]

Then it might not be particularly informative to compare two players at all - at least without some clue as to how much variation is typical.

They should include a +\- for error in measurements that includes natural variation.

 

[Jon]

They should include a +\- for error in measurements that includes natural variation.

Assuming natural variation actually correlated well to specific variation ... and then there's the major underlying assumption that these numbers will actually correlate to the player being able to get things done on the court.

I'm sure the Cavs are thrilled about Tristan's reach and jumping ability, but they're probably more excited that he seems to know how to time his jumps in order to grab offensive boards and block shots.

 

[Lee]

I'm sure the Cavs are thrilled about Tristan's reach and jumping ability, but they're probably more excited that he seems to know how to time his jumps in order to grab offensive boards and block shots.

What is weird to me is he doesnt seem to be a good defensive rebounder. Its easier to teach defensive than offensive rebounding, but saw the stats and was a bit surprised.

 

[Jon]

What is weird to me is he doesnt seem to be a good defensive rebounder. Its easier to teach defensive than offensive rebounding, but saw the stats and was a bit surprised.

One theory expressed (and I think it was that 24yr old blogger named Pruiti who's a scout wannabe so take it with a grain of salt) was that Tristan seemed to box out fine, but then would launch himself at the ball, letting rebounds fall to the guy he was boxing out. If that's the case he just has to show some more patience, but some other folks have said that he doesn't seem to box out.

Anyway, either way, he needs to learn how to box out and do it correctly rather than just always relying on his ability to go up and get boards.

 

[Pioneer10]

What is weird to me is he doesnt seem to be a good defensive rebounder. Its easier to teach defensive than offensive rebounding, but saw the stats and was a bit surprised.

Defensive Rebounding

Another area where Thompson shows his youth is on the defensive glass, where he averages just 5.1 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes (while adjusted for pace). This is interesting considering the fact he is so strong on the offensive glass. However, the numbers and the tape do support this:



In most cases, poor defensive rebounders in college are guys who don’t box out or stand around and watch the basketball (like Derrick Williams). Thompson on the other hand is usually in position, boxing out or at least attempting to. Thompson’s problem is that he doesn’t hold his box out and he often ends up jumping for the basketball instead of letting it come to him. When this happens, Thompson mistimes his jump at times causing the ball to go over his head and directly to the player that he was boxing out. If Thompson holds his boxout instead, there isn’t much of a chance that the ball goes over his head, instead it would come to him, allowing him to secure the defensive rebound. This shouldn’t be a problem for a player like Thompson, especially considering that he can read the ball off the rim well and he already has a strong lower body.

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http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/07/12/dr...BA+Playbook%29

Based on their description, it seems that this should get better with some experience

 

[Lee]

Based on their description, it seems that this should get better with some experience

I read that, I hope he gets better. Patience to a player with a high motor like Tristan can sometimes be a very difficult thing to teach.

 

[Jon]

Based on their description, it seems that this should get better with some experience

Yeah, that's Sebastian Pruiti who made those comments, the guy I referenced in my post:

About the Author: Sebastian Pruiti is the founder and editor of NBAPlaybook.com and he is a 24 year old graduate student. Sebastian has always enjoyed the xs and os of the game, and he was even a volunteer assistant for NJIT during their 2008-2009 season. Sebastian’s pipe dream is to become a coach or a scout for a NBA or college team (if you want to hire him, don’t hesitate to e-mail). Sebastian is the former editor of NetsAreScorching.com, which is a NJ Nets blog that is affiliated with ESPN through the Truehoop Network.

He's doing a nice job on his web site with these player reviews, but I'm not sure he's actually any more qualified to draw these conclusions say than any of us if we could be bothered to sit down and watch some game tapes.

At least he's including the film from which he reached his conclusions.

 

[Pioneer10]

Yeah, that's Sebastian Pruiti who made those comments, the guy I referenced in my post:

He's doing a nice job on his web site with these player reviews, but I'm not sure he's actually any more qualified to draw these conclusions say than any of us if we could be bothered to sit down and watch some game tapes.

At least he's including the film from which he reached his conclusions.

It's basketball not rocket science. Anybody who watches game tape and isn't in the troll category of posters should be able to give a decent opinion on a player. I just don't think most of us have the time to do this sort of thing: his age is a plus with regards to this as I certainly don't have time to do that sort of thing as an old fart.

 

[Earl]

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http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/07/12/dr...BA+Playbook%29

Based on their description, it seems that this should get better with some experience

To me it just looks like he gets too close to the basket looking for defensive rebounds and blocks. Easily fixable.

 

[Douglar]

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_cavaliers_selection.html

"Steal of the draft.". There you go.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- St. Edward basketball coach Eric Flannery loved the Cavaliers' selection of Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick in the recent NBA draft.
"I think they hit a home run," Flannery said. "I really do."
Flannery coached Thompson in the 2010 McDonald's All-American game in Columbus. Thompson, a 6-8, 225-pound forward who went on to play one season at Texas, had eight points and five rebounds in the West's 107-104 victory, but Flannery was as impressed with his personality as he was with his basketball skills.
"The greatest thing about Tristan -- when people get to know him they will realize this -- is that he is going to be a fantastic locker-room guy," Flannery said. "He is a wonderful human being. I enjoyed coaching him as much, if not more, than anybody I've coached in a situation like we had.
"He's just a great, great kid, great personality, very upbeat, a 'yes sir, no sir' kind of kid. First and foremost, the Cavs are getting a great human being, which obviously is a big plus."
Two weeks after the McDonald's game, Thompson, a Canadian, also had a good showing in the 2010 Nike Summit. Much has been made of Enes Kanter's record-setting 34-point performance in that tournament, but Thompson had 14 points, making five of six field goals and -- interestingly -- all four free throws in the 101-97 loss to the United States. He tied Nikola Mirotic as the second-leading scorer for the world team behind Kanter.
Flannery, a longtime member of the USA Basketball Developmental National Team Committee who coached the U.S. team at the 2010 Young Olympic Games in Singapore last summer, helped put together the team for the Nike Summit but definitely took note of the opposition.
"Tristan had a great game that year," Flannery said.
In his one season at Texas, Thompson averaged 13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game. He shot 54.6 percent from the field but a puzzling 48.7 percent from the line.
"Defensively, blocking shots, instincts for the game, instincts for the ball, he's as good as any player I've seen at his level," Flannery said. "Offensively, obviously, he needs some work, but it's not like he's a raw individual who has no touch. He's got a nice shot. He's got great touch around the rim. His free throws were a mystery when I saw him in college, because I didn't think they were that bad when he was playing with us."
Though most observers had the Cavs taking Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas with the No. 4 pick, Flannery didn't think the Cavs could pass on Thompson.
"You take in the whole picture, how can you take somebody else?" he said. "If you're taking a chance on somebody else, either character or skill set, I thought he was right there and definitely worth it ... I thought he'd be a perfect fit.
"My personal opinion is, and I mean this sincerely, I think he's the steal of the draft.
"You can't go wrong on the human side of things as far as being a great person. I know that's not what everybody looks at. But I think the basketball side is a lot better than people think."