Tristan Thompson

[BimboColesHair]

Hopefully we get some option years in this contract so it can be easier to move.

Of course you do...

 

[Kbiz]

Monster? TT is pretty much the definition of an average rebounder. His raw numbers are high because of minutes played and just generally standing around the basket, but his rebound rate was 16.3% last year, which puts him at 31 out of 64 for F-C who played at least 300 minutes last year. League average rebounding, when that is your best skill, is not worth $11-12m.

TT averaged more offensive rebounds, at his natural PF position, per game, in less minutes then:

Monroe
Love
Ibaka
Griffin
Milsap

All players that primarily play at the 4 for most minutes in a game...all players that are considered "elite" rebounders.

The only player to average more then him, in the ENTIRE NBA, at the 4 was Randolph at a mere .01 rebounds more per game. Not sure what "raw stats" you're looking at but I throw those out of the window when considering that most of TT's offensive rebounds results in points or him getting to the line.

 

[Binkster]

TT averaged more offensive rebounds, at his natural PF position, per game, in less minutes then:

Monroe
Love
Ibaka
Griffin
Milsap

All players that primarily play at the 4 for most minutes in a game...all players that are considered "elite" rebounders.

The only player to average more then him, in the ENTIRE NBA, at the 4 was Randolph at a mere .01 rebounds more per game. Not sure what "raw stats" you're looking at but I throw those out of the window when considering that most of TT's offensive rebounds results in points or him getting to the line.

He also can't block shots, lacks an elite defensive presence, fails to efficiently put the ball in the basket, and is nowhere near tenacious on the defensive glass.

All of the aforementioned players do at least one of those things.

Thompson is energy off the bench. Nothing more, nothing less. You don't pay him starter money because he's pretty good at offensive rebounding.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

He also can't block shots, lacks an elite defensive presence, fails to efficiently put the ball in the basket, and is nowhere near tenacious on the defensive glass.

All of the aforementioned players do at least one of those things.

Thompson is energy off the bench. Nothing more, nothing less. You don't pay him starter money because he's pretty good at offensive rebounding.

That's almost exactly what people used to say about Andy, and yet, he managed to change game momentum despite the stats suggesting that shouldn't be possible.

TT team-focused attitude and work ethic mean that his value goes beyond his stats. He's the anti-JJ Hickson/Drew Gooden. HIs attitude and work-ethic make him a well-liked teammate, and bleeds over to other people on the team. Some guys who were drafted as high as he was might resist/complain if moved to the bench. TT's a 4th overall pick who has just been told he's doing to the bench, and there's not a hint of complaint. He just gets that what matters is how much he can contribute to winning games in whatever role he is given.

You've also got to consider his consistent improvement. He's demonstrated an admirable desire to focus on developing those skills that the team needs the most. Coming into the league, he was told he had to improve his FT%, so he focused on that improved it. Then it was inability to score, so he went so far as to switch shooting hands and work like hell at improving that. This year, he saw the Cavs trade for a guy who took his starting PF spot. Rather than sulk, he saw how the team was built, realized his role would have to be playing more center, so he focused on adding strength to play the pivot.

Sure, there are better big men, but they'll make more than TT will if they're available at all. If we can snag a high-quality starting center, then great. Maybe we don't re-sign him and just let him walk. But I have a feeling he's the kind of guy you won't know how much you'll miss until he's gone.

 

[The Cav Sloth]

Of course you do...

Come on now, MHI has been a big TT supporter from the beginning, along with his fan club president , NasstyNate. Seriously though, I loved year two of Tristan and couldn't stand his development last year, which a lot of people blame Mike Brown partially for. He was the biggest positive surprise I saw this preseason. If you asked me before LeBron and the new TV deal that is coming, I would say let him go in free agency. With Lebron and the new TV deal, I have no problem with 10 mil a year. 12 million a year starts making me cringe a little ,but so does extending Andy to big deal (long term) before the season starts. At least with Tristan you are getting a durable player on the right side of 30 who should thrive in his role with this team.

 

[Binkster]

That's almost exactly what people used to say about Andy, and yet, he managed to change game momentum despite the stats suggesting that shouldn't be possible.

TT team-focused attitude and work ethic mean that his value goes beyond his stats. He's the anti-JJ Hickson/Drew Gooden. HIs attitude and work-ethic make him a well-liked teammate, and bleeds over to other people on the team. Some guys who were drafted as high as he was might resist/complain if moved to the bench. TT's a 4th overall pick who has just been told he's doing to the bench, and there's not a hint of complaint. He just gets that what matters is how much he can contribute to winning games in whatever role he is given.

You've also got to consider his consistent improvement. He's demonstrated an admirable desire to focus on developing those skills that the team needs the most. Coming into the league, he was told he had to improve his FT%, so he focused on that improved it. Then it was inability to score, so he went so far as to switch shooting hands and work like hell at improving that. This year, he saw the Cavs trade for a guy who took his starting PF spot. Rather than sulk, he saw how the team was built, realized his role would have to be playing more center, so he focused on adding strength to play the pivot.

Sure, there are better big men, but they'll make more than TT will if they're available at all. If we can snag a high-quality starting center, then great. Maybe we don't re-sign him and just let him walk. But I have a feeling he's the kind of guy you won't know how much you'll miss until he's gone.

Don't get me wrong, he's improved his game, I just haven't seen enough of it yet.

This isn't to say he can't get there - he's 23. I'd like to see him prove me wrong. I just don't see a reason to pay him Faried money (who also got overpaid, IMO). who is a much more complete player at this point.

$60 million for Thompson? No thank you. Let's start the talks at 40.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Don't get me wrong, he's improved his game, I just haven't seen enough of it yet.

Well, big men generally take longer to develop, and with his work ethic and amazing improvement in FT%, I thin the signs for him moving forward are pretty good.

This isn't to say he can't get there - he's 23. I'd like to see him prove me wrong. I just don't see a reason to pay him Faried money (who also got overpaid, IMO). who is a much more complete player at this point.

I'd agree but for the new TV deal. Salaries are going to go up substantially, so a deal that looks like an overpay now won't be moving forward. Not saying I'd do it right now -- I don't have a problem with letting the season play out more to see where his game is going. But losing him unless we've got a real lock on someone better is a risk I don't think we can afford.

He's also the kind of guy I'd sign to a long deal -- 5/6 years or so. You don't have to worry about his head getting messed up, or a lack of effort.

 

[Kbiz]

The reason TT hasn't shown an improvement in defense along the years is because we were trying to develop him offensively to be some sort of "running partner" with KI. I believe he will get better defensively this year and beyond with the way this team is made up.

TT was a pretty good shot blocker in college so those intangibles exist. I really believe TT has never been afforded the luxury of being coached correctly his entire NBA career.

If you're paying him now, you are paying him with the expectation that he will get better at what we NEED him to do as this team is constructed. With what i have seen in the preseason, i believe Thompson can become a capable defender (he will always be undersized at C so we can't expect him to become a game changer), and will become much more efficient near the basket since the only looks he will get will either be wide open or right under the hoop.

 

[Cavatt]

I just don't think to can look at his rebounding like that. Rate isn't affected by who you pay with? Pretty sure his rate has worsened since Andy has been healthier even though TT has clearly improved. Setting him strip rebounds from David West among 4 Pacers is good enough enough for me.

I think saying he isn't a good rebounder makes a person look foolish but keep coming with the stats.

 

[NasstyNate]

You've also got to consider his consistent improvement. He's demonstrated an admirable desire to focus on developing those skills that the team needs the most. Coming into the league, he was told he had to improve his FT%, so he focused on that improved it. Then it was inability to score, so he went so far as to switch shooting hands and work like hell at improving that. This year, he saw the Cavs trade for a guy who took his starting PF spot. Rather than sulk, he saw how the team was built, realized his role would have to be playing more center, so he focused on adding strength to play the pivot.

I was big on TT going into last year and bought that the hand switch was a sign of improvement. He certainly improved his FT shooting and deserves credit for that. Outside of that, in what area has he improved? Because to me, he still only has his one hesitation move to the middle, takes a minimum of 5 seconds to decide what to do when he receives a pass (which stops offensive ball movement), power dribbles and wastes time gathering almost every time he gets the ball under the basket, is hesitant to shoot, and gets blocked more than almost anyone in the entire league. This is why I am questioning claims that he has consistently improved. I'm the first to admit that my biases cause me to focus on the negatives with him, so I really want you guys to give specific examples of how he has improved outside of FT shooting. Because a few big dunks isn't enough for me.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Did anyone else think Windhorst took a dig at Dan? The JV part was not necessary except to make it look like Gilbert is meddling and passed on Jonas in my opinion.

Thompson also enjoys a positive relationship with team owner Dan Gilbert, who advocated taking him in the draft three years ago when the Cavs were deciding between him and Jonas Valanciunas with the fourth overall pick. Gilbert has taken a more expansive role in personnel moves alongside general manager David Griffin since last season.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...aliers-extension-talks-tristan-thompson-stall

 

[pr26]

Did anyone else think Windhorst took a dig at Dan? The JV part was not necessary except to make it look like Gilbert is meddling and passed on Jonas in my opinion.

Thompson also enjoys a positive relationship with team owner Dan Gilbert, who advocated taking him in the draft three years ago when the Cavs were deciding between him and Jonas Valanciunas with the fourth overall pick. Gilbert has taken a more expansive role in personnel moves alongside general manager David Griffin since last season.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...aliers-extension-talks-tristan-thompson-stall

Eh, with all the failed speculation of Windhorst lately that actually deserves some criticism, I don't really see anything negative here. Cavs were deciding between TT and JV, and Dan advocated TT. Some fans may look at this as an actual negative, but stating it is not a "dig".

 

[Rich]

I just don't think to can look at his rebounding like that. Rate isn't affected by who you pay with? Pretty sure his rate has worsened since Andy has been healthier even though TT has clearly improved. Setting him strip rebounds from David West among 4 Pacers is good enough enough for me.

I think saying he isn't a good rebounder makes a person look foolish but keep coming with the stats.

I gotta say, not as foolish as relying on a single play and then concluding "that's good enough for me."

 

[Cavatt]

I gotta say, not as foolish as relying on a single play and then concluding "that's good enough for me."

I watched every game for 4 years. I can see with my eyes that he regularly and consistently rebounds with the best of them. Better contractual style language would have been better. "When I regularly see him rip down boards in a crowd that he has no business getting from guys like David West, I feel like you can't call him just an ok rebounder."

You change the point someone is trying to make so that you look clever somehow. Pick an insignificant mistake or mild hyperbole and make a new argument about it. Doesn't work on me, I have never been impressed with the content of your posts. You should be a lawyer arguing ardently about stuff no one is even talking about. Distracting people from the actual point being discussed. Maybe you can find some spelling or grammar mistakes from a post I made with my phone?

Acting like Thompson doesn't get big rebounds all the time is disingenuous at best.

I guess people think I am a blind Thompson fanboy? Meanwhile I have been right about a bunch of things that the haters have sworn cannot happen and that he will not develop.

1. Him growing which people are still denying

2. Improving his ft% and shooting in general

3. Being able to play center(not totally proven, but looking good so far)

4. Post defense which has been backed up statistically multiple times.

5. Improvement on defensive boards.

I never said I think he is gonna be a number 2 option or anything, but Thompson can totally be an impact player a la our own AV.

I guarantee if you ask Blatt "is Tristan just average as a rebounder?" He would give you tht smile and gently correct your thinking more eloquently than I could.

 

[Lee]

Its pretty simple.

TT is an average defensive rebounder. 70% of rebound stats come from the defensive end.

But, Tristan is an excellent offensive rebounder. When looking at his overall rebounding stats, he is just average, but when you look specifically for the more difficult stat of offensive rebounder he shines.

That said, 2nd chance points are huge and TT true skill will be on the offensive glass. it will get him 10+ mil a year, and if there is 30 or so mins a game for him on our team, we should pay him.