I dont even partake in Tristan Thompson discussion here anymore.
No use. Only a matter of time before he is put in the proper role he should be in. Whether it is Clark or Bennett, this team (more specifically Bynum) needs a floor spacer at the 4 to reach their full potential.
Last night, we built a 7-8 point lead and the offense was moving the ball and attacking one of the worst defenses in the league. As soon as Tristan came back in, that all stopped. Not because Tristan holds the ball or sabotages offense intentionally, but because he does not have to be guarded and it allowed the Bucks to start defending us 5 on 4. They tried to force Tristan into being a threat a few times once they CORRECTLY identified that every trip down, Milwaukee was putting their worst defender (Kris Middleton in most lineups) on Tristan and daring him to make an offensive move that Henson or NBA-DLeague-level-bizarro-Ostertag could not help and recover to stop.
Tristan traveled, drew a charge, and got stripped trying to bull his way to a bucket everytime.
Where Tristan DOES excel, is crashing the glass because his defender leaves him to help shrink the court for penetrating Jack and Kyrie.
Someone who doesnt quite understand the way this whole basketball thing works, would look at the stat sheet and cream themselves saying... OMG, Tristan had 8 offensive rebounds and that really great rebound where his awesome instincts magnetically made him tip the ball in to tie the game. I got up out of my seat when Tristan got his tip, it was a GREAT play and it really showed his motor and resiliency. But that hero play was only made possible by the speedbump Tristan provided for our offense that was humming along and exploiting Milwaukee for sagging off and playing a matchup zone. Clark burned them for this. And when he did, Henson/Udoh started staying home more and then Andy started burning them with pick and roll wizardry with each Irving, Jack and Delly because the floor was open enough for him to do so with Clark's man having to stay home.
I really like Tristan. I do. That clip where he was interacting with the babies and reading books and he and Moondog were pinching each other's ass cheeks, that was really cute. But for the betterment of this team KICKING ASS on the court, we need to put him in the role that suits his skillset and compliments the rest of our players as best as possible. That is as a reserve. Preferably in the reserve role that Andy is currently limping around in. Doesnt have the IQ or passing of Andy, but not too many around the leauge do, so... not Tristans fault there. Andy is getting up there Tristan has the durability and father time on his side so he should be the guy to get that role and grow in that role moving forward. (shrugs)
Each of the past almost 10 games, I have watched Bynum start off playing very engaged and aggressive on D. Then as it becomes apparent that he doesnt have the room to operate like his moody-ass would like to on offense, he starts flailing his arms and pouting after being frustrated on offense and his effort level wanes on both ends of the court. last night Austin made mention of the worst-kept secret that looks to be festering on a nightly basis... Bynum gets frustrated with his lack of involvement over the course of a game. But what is the cause? Kyrie is committed to force feeding him down there to start games, but when he gets it, he simply doesnt have the room to operate and set himself up for plays like that BEAUTIFUL right hook that he bounced home methodically in the first half on a consistent basis. Tristans man leaves him and crowds the paint too effectively and Tristan does not make them pay for doing so.
Again, love him as a personality and steady influence around the team/lockerroom. Just feel that just like Waiters, he is currently miscast in our system/rotation that is being established and looking like it has promise by being asked to be a stretch 4 that he is not.
