Has Tristan Thompson Grown As An NBA Player?

[rabman_gold]

He needs to stop coiling up every time he gets the ball near the basket. Whether it's a pass or an offensive rebound, he bends down to get the power when he jumps. Gotta stay big down low.

Sooner or later, I think it will click in Thompson's head. He's so used to out-jumping guys in the paint that he focuses on his ability to reach maximum height. But perhaps once he figures out it's pointless against the quick hands of NBA players, he'll learn he'll have to settle. It may not be a great jump, but he's super long and has big hands. He can still do better than other NBA power forwards since he's not really undersized. He has a good basketball IQ, so I expect that he figures this out within 1 1/2 years. He's a gym rat for god's sake... They'll work with him on it (it'll help at tip off too, since I noticed that Andy asked him to let him do the tip instead).

[JiggleIt]

Would be great if someone could show him tape of Al Jefferson against Tim Duncan last night. Jefferson scored on Duncan on four consecutive plays immediately after receiving a pass all with his face to the basket.

He was body and body with Duncan and just made a quick but strong jump straight up with minimal bend in his knees. He forced his arm past Duncan and very lightly flipped it in the basket like a regular shot. Did it three times with a baseline jumper mixed in.

He didn't overpower Duncan. He just caught him off-guard. TT doesn't need to have Jefferson's elite back to the basket game. But he does need to learn to throw up some flip shots to catch guys off guard.

Not dissimilar to what Antawn used to do.

[SkaakS]

I like how much more aggressive he's being when he gets the ball. There have been several times in the past 3 games where he's gotten the ball about 10ft from the rim and rather than trying to finesse his man he just takes it strong right at him. I also feel like he's forcing things less and is more willing to dribble the ball out of the post rather than forcing it up. I agree with what most have said about him needing to go up quicker to the rim, but otherwise I think he still has promise and has improved.

[bigfoot5415]

Its 3 games into his second year. Gotta wait and see how he grows with a full season. He is doing some things better than last year, box out & pass. However, we also gotta keep in mind that he does not have any plays called for him. Rightfully so because he isnt that great on offense, but he is improving.

[Jon]

His 3 game stats which includes a tough game .vs. the Bulls and then a back to back .vs. the Bucks shows improvement across the board with the exception of blocked shots (he's had none).

[MRMsix6]

with the exception of blocked shots (he's had none).

I know for a fact he's had at least one block. That stat is just wrong.

[Jon]

ESPN and BBR both agree on 0 blocks, but it's possible they missed something. If you remember when it happened you could check the game log and see whether they credited the block to someone else, called it a 24 sec violation, called a foul, or just a turnover, etc.

For instance, I do remember him blocking a shot, but it was after a foul was committed so he wouldn't get credit for that.

[Rich]

ESPN and BBR both agree on 0 blocks, but it's possible they missed something. If you remember when it happened you could check the game log and see whether they credited the block to someone else, called it a 24 sec violation, called a foul, or just a turnover, etc.

For instance, I do remember him blocking a shot, but it was after a foul was committed so he wouldn't get credit for that.

I remember the block in the first game off of a mini Washington break that then started us the other direction and led to points.

[Tornicade]

if he doesnt get credit . he doesnt get credit. it doesnt matter. Tristan is focusing on his fundamental defense once he gets comfortable we will start seeing more blocked shots.

[MirORich]

Nothing I said was meant as a knock or even backhanded compliment against Andy. His scoring and touch have definitely improved. There's many ways to score and he has a lot of tricks in the bag, including an improved jumper and moves around the basket. I still don't think that makes him a true big with traditional offensive post moves. Doesn't mean I think he's any less valuable.

I dont think people realize how much andy has been improving offensively sinc e Scott gave him the green light or how much Mike Brown Held him back.

The team has score 100 plus points in 2 out of three games with the bench scoring like 15 a game. this does not sound like the cavs are experiencing the problems your describing.

[clebron]

His ability to finish around the rim has improved, sometimes using a power dribble to re-position rather than just trying to dunk it over the defense

[Henry Tuttle]

He smashed Vesely on a semi-fastbreak. Looking at the game log I think Andy got credit for it. Padding stats for potential trade? /conspiracy

[PosterTime]

I would like to change my vote from "Yes" to "No." I just don't see the improvement sadly.

[NoTitleTown]

I like TT, but I truly wonder how intelligent he is.

I mean seriously, he just seems kinda dumb. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope he becomes a stud. But you can't fix stupid.

[Alec Zander]

I like TT, but I truly wonder how intelligent he is.

I mean seriously, he just seems kinda dumb. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope he becomes a stud. But you can't fix stupid.

Really smart men have been befuddled on the hardwood. Handling NBA speed isn't an iq thing.