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http://www.realcavsfans.com/community/index.php?posts/1480199/
I lived. That post as also liked by three people so I wasn't alone on an island
I know your joking and having fun but Jking apparently wanted me to wreck this narrative.
I was definitely pro-Thompson at the time as well. I would have preferred Jonas on draft day, but after I got to know Tristan's game and watching tape of him I was excited about him turning into basically exactly what he has turned into. Obviously, the LeBron factor has been one of his biggest assets, but he was still going to become a good'versatile defender and an elite rebounder with or without LeBron, but the addition of LeBron and a winning culture has allowed TT to play and maximize his strengths, instead of having pressure to add offensive moves and jumpshots and a post game, etc, to "justify" being the #4 pick while on a bad/mediocre team. But outside of maybe hitting corner threes, TT could not be any more tailor made for the current NBA+being LeBron's teammate than he is right now.
Chris Grant is DEFINITELY vindicated for that pick, and he may be vindicated for the Dion Waiters pick too if Dion can continue to be the guy he was in Miami. Both guys were considered reaches, and while there might be a few guys that are considered better that were picked after 4, Grant still looks like he was able to identify real, translatable NBA talent. (Though he really messed up in terms of considering fit with Dion and Kyrie, but I also think he thought we would see more of the Kyrie we're seeing this year with distributing/running the offense versus the 100% Kobe Jr. path he was on in his first 4 years. But Tristan is already considered good value as a #4 pick and Dion Waiters showed last year that he also can be a good value at #4 if he stays motivated/in shape/in the right situation/with the right coach.