Tristan Thompson: Should Cavs Fans Be Concerned?
The Cleveland Cavaliers open the season tonight versus the Chicago Bulls in Chicago. With a number of key player coming back from injuries, out for the time being rehabbing their injuries, the Cavaliers could very well be playing the game with many bench players. The one key player that will be coming off the bench is power forward Tristan Thompson, who is fresh off signing a five-year/82 million dollar extension.
Will Thompson be ready to play in newly revamped Cavaliers defensive sets? Has Thompson been practicing his free throws so we don’t see “hack-a-Thompson?” And most importantly, will Tristan be energized and ready to give his all off the bench for the max player Kevin Love?
I am not certain that the contract negotiations haven’t taken their toll on the young energy big from Canada. He was quoted by his agent as saying he wouldn’t re-sign with the Cavaliers if they didn’t give him a long-term deal that is lucrative. Did the negotiations strike a chord of discontent?
It has left many a die-hard Cavaliers fan scratching his/her head. Thompson played hardball and it seems both sides got something that they wanted out of the signing, so I feel David Griffin and the front office are in a good place with Thompson.
My only fear is that it takes Thompson a month or two to get back into his mid-season form. We are missing Kyrie Irving – have LeBron on “back watch”- and Kevin Love, Anderson Varejao and Timofey Mozgov recovering from injuries from last seasons quest for a title.
Can the Cavaliers win against good teams as currently configured?
If Thompson is able to average a double-double this season, his salary will be justified. Even 10 points and 10 rebounds will suffice. We just don’t know what to expect from the power forward with the mantra “See ball, Get ball.” We haven’t seen anything from the fifth year power forward since last season. The one thing we have come to expect of Thompson is his “Iron Man” reputation for playing without being injured.
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It is a good thing that Mo Williams is able to play heavy minutes (25-30) as the starting point guard in Irving’s absence. At least the guys we picked up in the off-season are ready to go. It will be interesting to see the ball movement and floor spacing that this team is able to create and thrives on no matter who is on the floor.
Head coach David Blatt is in his second season as an NBA coach. Lets hope Blatt has become more at ease with his squad after last seasons Finals run! Of course, we cannot judge him until all his players are healthy and back on the floor. This could take up to two months.
Will the Cavaliers and their newly signed power forward Tristan Thompson gel quickly in the beginning of the season, or will it take a few months?