Tristan Thompson

[mhi]

Good read @Tornicade.

On Lebron letting others have more defensive freedom: I don't think our guys last season had the awareness to make defensive reads. A lot of last year's personnel couldnt focus on man and ball which was always going to be a recipe for disaster against GS. I think the additions this season should help with that

Let's not completely absolve Thompson though. In the PnR they would trap the ball handler and essentially dare him to produce as the roll man. It was bad. Sometimes all he had to do was take a single dribble to the basket

On defense he doesn't know how to play as the last line. He takes ages gathering his jump on block attempts. How has no one told him that it's better to just go vertical to contest the shot? Don't we have coaches that can explain the difference?

I don't want to see him gone but I personally don't think he and Love are a great frontcourt pair. If we can upgrade TT then we should do so. 18mil is too much for a guy that GS may have figured out

Excellent post man. The bolded is definitely something that has pained me since he's been playing for us. He has the athleticism for it yet he has never learned. My best guess is that he just lacks the instincts or that he can't read the action well enough to know where to be or when to react.

 

[Sebastian]

He needs to find that motor again
Last year he was noticeably less passionate on the court and he needs to play 100% energy the whole time to be the impact player we are paying him to be. Maybe without Irving he gets a little wake up call

He can start by showing that succubus he dates the door.

There is talk of those two getting their own show. That would be catastrophic.

 

[czvo]

I'm not really sure where the narrative that he wasn't significantly worse is coming from. It was his first full year as a starter, and he was noticeably better blocking shots and making the extra pass. His other stats either stayed the same or improved a touch (except for FT%, but I have a feeling that's just going to be a toss up forever).

I thought TT was very good last year, save for maybe a few games where everyone on the team just mailed it in.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

Wouldn't say that TT is worthless, but he isn't a starting-caliber center and he isn't nearly as vital against Golden State after they acquired Durant.

That makes him an 18 million a year bench player. You add to that the Kardashian curse and even I would have shipped his ass out for Melo. We're going to be using Love at center more against GS going forward.

 

[czvo]

Wouldn't say that TT is worthless, but he isn't a starting-caliber center and he isn't nearly as vital against Golden State after they acquired Durant.

That makes him an 18 million a year bench player. You add to that the Kardashian curse and even I would have shipped his ass out for Melo. We're going to be using Love at center more against GS going forward.

The problem is you can't just fast-forward to the finals. We all saw how having just one actual big man impacted this team throughout the regular season, and even at times in the postseason. You need guys like TT for the grind to get to the finals. Against 28 other teams, he's absolutely worth it.

 

[sleepmaster]

https://cavsnation.com/cavs-news-knicks-wanted-tristan-thompson-carmelo-anthony-trade/

According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, in the call with the Cavs, the Knicks sought to acquire center Tristan Thompson in a deal for the Anthony, but Cleveland ultimately refused to include him.

The Cavs, however, were reportedly willing to make a deal with New York to rid themselves of some contracts. A deal of that sort would’ve included Iman Shumpert and some other players. The Knicks ultimately decided that wasn’t enough, and opted to make a deal with the Thunder.

 

[fan0283]

The problem is you can't just fast-forward to the finals. We all saw how having just one actual big man impacted this team throughout the regular season, and even at times in the postseason. You need guys like TT for the grind to get to the finals. Against 28 other teams, he's absolutely worth it.

I'd honestly look to upgrade every player that doesn't matchup well against the Warriors. It doesn't matter how well you play against 28 teams if you end up shitting the bed in the finals. The reason I agree with you however is TT isn't actually a liability against GS. It's their god-tier level gameplanning that saw him neutralised.

If he watches tape of how his limitations were exploited, he could adjust and beast next finals. Still have to say it was disappointing how he couldn't adapt when their strategy became clear. I'm still a little dazzled that an Nba player cant take a dribble to the basket for a layup when the defense dares him to do so

 

[czvo]

I'd honestly look to upgrade every player that doesn't matchup well against the Warriors. It doesn't matter how well you play against 28 teams if you end up shitting the bed in the finals. The reason I agree with you however is TT isn't actually a liability against GS. It's their god-tier level gameplanning that saw him neutralised.

If he watches tape of how his limitations were exploited, he could adjust and beast next finals. Still have to say it was disappointing how he couldn't adapt when their strategy became clear. I'm still a little dazzled that an Nba player cant take a dribble to the basket for a layup when the defense dares him to do so

The problem is they neutralize even very good players, so trying to upgrade everyone that doesn't match up well is probably impossible.

 

[spydy13]

I think people are forgetting that actually having a legit backup in Zisic all year should leave TT with a greater chance to be the relentless player he was when we won the title when we coincidentally also had a backup that could play 20 mins a game.

I really think he was too worn down by the end of the year to be effective.

 

[fan0283]

The problem is they neutralize even very good players, so trying to upgrade everyone that doesn't match up well is probably impossible.

I'm not necessarily talking about only offense here. Infact if I'm being honest here I'd trade IT first because we don't have the defensive personnel to cover for him

Spurs didn't have our offensive firepower but I was impressed with how their frontcourt was able to keep GS honest before Kawhi went down. The PF/C is the last line of defense and TT+Love aren't defensively strong enough to deter KD/Curry.

 

[Mavaliersfan]

I think people are forgetting that actually having a legit backup in Zisic all year should leave TT with a greater chance to be the relentless player he was when we won the title when we coincidentally also had a backup that could play 20 mins a game.

I really think he was too worn down by the end of the year to be effective.

I'm one of his biggest critics but in his defense this is very true. He's undersized at center every night and we rode his ass hard last year. Hoping Lue gives Zizic plenty of burn this year so TT can be fresh for the playoffs.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Wouldn't say that TT is worthless, but he isn't a starting-caliber center and he isn't nearly as vital against Golden State after they acquired Durant.

That makes him an 18 million a year bench player. You add to that the Kardashian curse and even I would have shipped his ass out for Melo. We're going to be using Love at center more against GS going forward.

I seriously would not have let TT stand in the way of a deal for Melo - and I don't even LIKE Melo... TT has reached his ceiling, and it ain't that high. He's not a starting big. He should be Kevin Love's back-up. Heck - bring back Bogut's CORPSE, to play center, and we would be better off...

 

[cavsfever]

https://cavsnation.com/cavs-news-knicks-wanted-tristan-thompson-carmelo-anthony-trade/

According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, in the call with the Cavs, the Knicks sought to acquire center Tristan Thompson in a deal for the Anthony, but Cleveland ultimately refused to include him.

The Cavs, however, were reportedly willing to make a deal with New York to rid themselves of some contracts. A deal of that sort would’ve included Iman Shumpert and some other players. The Knicks ultimately decided that wasn’t enough, and opted to make a deal with the Thunder.

More evidence that the FO screwed up this off season. Get them to throw in Kyle O'Quinn and you definitely take that trade

 

[K1rieIrving>AllOtherPG's]

TT is pure trash at the game of basketball, if hes not getting offensive rebounds he provides absolutely nothing on the court and a giant liability on both sides, lol at choosing to keep this bum over taking Melo.

Coaching staff and front office are clearly delusional and emotionally attached to this bum ass player, let the disagrees fly I'm ready, TT IS A BUM.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

TT is pure trash at the game of basketball, if hes not getting offensive rebounds he provides absolutely nothing on the court and a giant liability on both sides, lol at choosing to keep this bum over taking Melo.

Coaching staff and front office are clearly delusional and emotionally attached to this bum ass player, let the disagrees fly I'm ready, TT IS A BUM.

Dude, I don't think it's a basketball decision really.. it's a Rich Paul/Lebron friendship decision. Trading TT and Shumpert for Melo and O'Quinn is a no brainer for me.

Not going to lose sleep over that though.