King James Gospel
Fansided

Can Tristan Thompson Keep It Up?

By Jared Mueller

May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrates on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrates on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tristan Thompson was the key last year & Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks. Can he keep it up?

In Game 1 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson was all over the place. His boxscore isn’t particularly impressive but watching the game shows just how valuable TT is for the Cavs.

He can guard guards and big men. He can be strong down low. He can chase players around the perimeter. He can rotate as a great support off the ball and provide some rim protection.

In Game 1, Thompson played 40 minutes and pulled down 14 rebounds. He also added 8 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He was tied, behind Kyrie Irving, with a +16 plus/minus.

Interesting, due to the match-up, Thompson didn’t play big minutes in the First Round against the Detroit Pistons. He only averaged 28 minutes and averaged under 6 rebounds and under 4 points.

Last year, however, against the Hawks, 39 minutes was his average time on the court. He put up 12 points and 11 rebounds as well as just under 2 block shots.

His ability to knock Paul Milsap off his game has been more than impressive. Milsap’s inside-out game can cause problems all over the place. He can put the ball on the deck and get to the rack or play out of the post. He also is a willing, talented passer who can hit from behind the arc as well.

In the opening round of the Playoffs, against the Boston Celtics, Milsap put up 16 points, almost 9 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals. He shot 46% from the floor during that series.

In Game 1 against the Cavs, he got 17 points and 13 rebounds but shot only 32% from the field. He still had an impressive overall game with 4 blocks, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Last year, against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals, Milsap was held to under 14 points, under 8 rebounds and under 35% from the field.

While the Cavs team defense is key, Thompson deserves a ton of credit for keeping the Hawks most versatile (best?!) player down. Thompson’s 40 minutes were often spent primarily guarding the power forward, while Kevin Love was matched up with center Al Horford.

The Hawks have even changed up their offense because of Tristan. Instead of bringing the guy Tristan is defending to set picks, they are bringing Love’s guy. While this takes Thompson out of his role as a primary defender in the pick and roll situations, it also limits the Hawks offense. Instead of being aggressive, the Hawks become reactive.

More from King James Gospel

Tristan has still been great as the help defender in these situations. His talents defensively seem unlimited. It leaves the Hawks in a difficult position: Either let Tristan impact their offensive as a primary defender or go away from Thompson’s man and allowing him to play off the ball.

The question for the Cavs and Thompson is whether he can keep it up? Can he play those heavy of minutes, adjust to what the Hawks are doing and still have such a great impact or will Milsap’s talents, and the Hawks, find a way to overcome?

Do you think Tristan Thompson can continue to play this well against the Hawks?