Tristan Thompson

[Nathan S]

[video=youtube;0qiIgOmzbVU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qiIgOmzbVU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUmJen5_cQofZXbtzulZj9MQ[/video]

What? They forgot to censor the play where Kyrie passed to him in the 4th quarter...and then again in double OT!

 

[Pioneer10]

Now if you want to say that his poor handles cause him not to get the most out of his athleticism then you might be on to something.

He seems to have trouble transferring that athleticism fully onto the court. It would be nice for example if he was a better rim protector. Doesn't get a lot of blocks

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

He seems to have trouble transferring that athleticism fully onto the court. It would be nice for example if he was a better rim protector. Doesn't get a lot of blocks

I've been watching him since he has been getting spoon fed again in the last 5 games or so.

(really dont understand it, for 10 games we were playing Bynum in the role Tristan is back in. Confusing)

He seems to overthink things and play too cautiously everywhere except crashing offensive glass. He does that without thinking and, honestly, he gets away with alot on the ground (he was called for 2 last night where he was pushing Millsap and Atlanta bigs just as he anticipated where the rebound was going to go)

Alot of his offensive rebounding is a result of him being left open at times, in that Atlanta game, Budenholzer had his guys putting a body on him at all times and that limited his offensive rebounding and opened opportunities for Andy a little more.

I'm not wowed by anything he does, I really appreciated him finishing stronger last night on a few dunks where he went up with the intent of not being blocked. Weird thing is, he plays strong like that when we have our other big giving him room to operate down low as if he is the center. Whether Bynum, Tyler or Andy, if they are starting out with their man outisde the paint, Tristan operates better.

Wish he didnt get blocked as much, to your point about not translating his athleticism.

I cant help but feel the added muscle/weight is part of that. He was much quicker off his feet in college even though many times he was coming weak side when I saw him on blocks and put backs.

He can be solid I just dont think he will ever be THAT kind of big, and we shouldnt limit ourselves to long term committing to him being a power forward who cant shoot from 15 feet nor the type of game changing defender worthy of being out there without being able to spread the floor.

 

[mcfly]

Tristan Thompson is a center.

A 6'9 center. If he were a few inches taller or a little longer/played longer he would be a REALLY good center prospect

I think you are onto something with the played longer comment. I don't think an extra inch or two would add up to all that much production, but when I look at a guy like Al Horford, being 1" taller with a shorter wingspan and standing reach, I feel like Tristan at least has the physical tools to succeed as a center in this league.

As for your comment regarding Tristan's recent increase in touches, it almost feels like we have been using Bynum to literally show him how it's done.

 

[mAo_mAo]

I think we have different connotations of what athleticism for bigs mean. TT is quick but he is not a rim protector on defense and rarely finishes above the rim. Both qualities would make a good big in this league.

 

[Pioneer10]

I think you are onto something with the played longer comment. I don't think an extra inch or two would add up to all that much production, but when I look at a guy like Al Horford, being 1" taller with a shorter wingspan and standing reach, I feel like Tristan at least has the physical tools to succeed as a center in this league.

As for your comment regarding Tristan's recent increase in touches, it almost feels like we have been using Bynum to literally show him how it's done.

He wouldn't need anything extra anywhere if he had Horford's jumpshot. He would look fine on this roster with Kyrie and Dion driving and dishing

 

[Nathan S]

Pretty disappointing game for Tristan. Made no impact on defense or on the boards, scored only 7 points and had 4 turnovers. I disliked Bynum as much as anyone but at least the defense had to account for him. This Tristan-Andy frontcourt is toothless on offense.

 

[JSS2306]

Tristan is an athlete, but does not have bottle rockets for legs and that's disappointing for a guy you can't necessarily deem an offensive threat.

He's a great role player and a nice guy to have cleaning up the garbage points on a team where you have multiple scoring threats playing cohesive basketball. That is not this team as it stands. It's a little unfair to rely on him to have a decent game night in and night out because he just honestly isn't that talented in any one area.

 

[Silky Smooth]

If Mike had the balls to put Dion on the bench then he also needs to have the balls to put Tristan there also. Unless you find a 7' center with a ridiculous offensive game, starting Tristan will not work. If we plan on keeping him he needs to start getting used to his role and that is an energy bench guy like Andy used to be. You throw Bennett in the fire as a starter and you build the confidence in him to let him know you believe in him as a main cog in our future and see what he can do out their with Kyrie. His defense isn't a huge liability either so that should help Mike with his decision to star AB over TT.

 

[Adam]

If Mike had the balls to put Dion on the bench then he also needs to have the balls to put Tristan there also. Unless you find a 7' center with a ridiculous offensive game, starting Tristan will not work. If we plan on keeping him he needs to start getting used to his role and that is an energy bench guy like Andy used to be. You throw Bennett in the fire as a starter and you build the confidence in him to let him know you believe in him as a main cog in our future and see what he can do out their with Kyrie. His defense isn't a huge liability either so that should help Mike with his decision to star AB over TT.

A few more games from bennet like yesterday and he might have a case, especially if clark is still starting as bennett has shared the court with him a lot. TT is a prototypical 3rd big, if andy is going to start, that will allow him to slide accross to the 5 in some spots and up the energy of the team.

 

[Daniel89]

If Mike had the balls to put Dion on the bench then he also needs to have the balls to put Tristan there also. Unless you find a 7' center with a ridiculous offensive game, starting Tristan will not work. If we plan on keeping him he needs to start getting used to his role and that is an energy bench guy like Andy used to be. You throw Bennett in the fire as a starter and you build the confidence in him to let him know you believe in him as a main cog in our future and see what he can do out their with Kyrie. His defense isn't a huge liability either so that should help Mike with his decision to star AB over TT.

Benching TT for Bennett may cause some lockerroom problems imo... TT may be limited offensively, but he always worked his butt off for this team, as far as rebounding and hustling goes... I only would entertain such a lineup change in the future when Bennett gets his act together...
But right now, this doesn't make sense to me at all, it would send a wrong message to TT, he may not play at his best right now, but benching him for a struggling rookie like Bennett is not the way to go... Every rookie should have to earn a starting spot and not be gifted with one...

It's a different thing with Dion, he got benched for an 8-year vet... certainly more tolerable than being benched for one of the worst rookies...

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

"Benching" is not the demotion you are referring to it as. And you have to take the emotion out of the way you assess the team and player roles. Championship organizatiins do that. Dion has shown he could do that and give better production.

I have no fear Tristan won't be able to. I think this is more to do with TT/Rich as its been pretty obvious for some time that Tristans best role would be 3rd big

 

[daytripper]

"Benching" is not the demotion you are referring to it as. And you have to take the emotion out of the way you assess the team and player roles. Championship organizatiins do that. Dion has shown he could do that and give better production.

I have no fear Tristan won't be able to. I think this is more to do with TT/Rich as its been pretty obvious for some time that Tristans best role would be 3rd big

On the same wave length regarding TT..I was with you back on draft night 2011.
They only get the pass now because Bennett clearly wasn't ready this season. If AB progresses like I think he needs to be the starter by next season with an athletic C brought in... TT would come off the bench as the 3rd big where he should thrive.

 

[Tornicade]

Bennett is a Tweener. its pretty clear. his best role at some point will be as a true 6thman who can stay on the floor regardless of lineup.

Tristan Thompson is still the best pure PF of his draft class. you guys can start whoever youd like

Im going Irving,Waiters, Karasev,Thompson, and Zeller with AB subbing in as 3/4 .

 

[ice cream man]

Bennett is a Tweener. its pretty clear. his best role at some point will be as a true 6thman who can stay on the floor regardless of lineup.

Tristan Thompson is still the best pure PF of his draft class. you guys can start whoever youd like

Im going Irving,Waiters, Karasev,Thompson, and Zeller with AB subbing in as 3/4 .

He's clearly a 4. Looks like MB has finally wised up and is playing Clark at the 3 instead of Bennett. It's all we have right now...

Hopefully AB becomes a guy who can pick and pop where if you don't close out on him well, you're in trouble. But he's not a ball handler/playmaker and he certainly can't guard most SF's. He's should be more than capable of handling most PF's.

On topic, if TT is always gonna start, I'd like to see Zeller with him.