Tristan Thompson Rightful Member of Big Three

Can an argument be made that Tristan Thompson is one of the Cleveland Cavaliers Big 3?

Tristan Thompson hasn’t missed a game in 51 months. He’s on pace for the best offensive rebounding performance in the NBA Finals ever, besting Dennis Rodman. He’s the best offensive rebounder in Cleveland Cavaliers history. In fact, he was drafted 4th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He’s the best offensive rebounder in Cleveland Cavaliers history. In fact, he was drafted 4th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The same year Kyrie Irving was picked 1st overall to lead the team post-LeBron. After an abysmal year without a takeover level player left the team with a 19-63 regular season record and the best odds to win the top overall pick.

They got Irving with a pick they acquired from the LA Clippers. Thompson was picked soon after, with their own pick, to be the presence in the paint the Cleveland Cavaliers needed.

While Kyrie has earned his spotlight, Thompson – or “Double T” as his teammates call him – has been the Cleveland Cavaliers underrated star.

Though not blessed with the complete package some would expect of a starting center, with post moves to match a defensive presence. Or a solid shot at all. He’s only 6’9.

At the University of Texas, the Canadian-born Thompson was a terrific rim protector and rebounder. In his first year at Cleveland, he was as well. He experienced ups and downs during his first four years, bouncing in and out of the starting lineup and changing shooting hands, coaches, and teammates almost at equal rates of constancy.

Now, the former 4th overall pick is on a constant high, grabbing offensive rebounds and snatching lobs in midflight on his way to being a legitimate member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Big Three.

LeBron James and Kyrie are so ball-dominant that it negates the need for a third ball-dominant superstar.

A dangerous shooting guard helps, but of the lengthy 3&D athlete variety. A power forward is only useful as a superstar if he can play center or small forward, since LeBron is the best player on the team and sometimes most effective when in the post. A center, well, the ones with the complete package, athletic enough to play on a fast-paced team, and manage to avoid foot injuries and foul trouble are hard to find.

Back to that power forward who can play center or small forward.

Defensively, Thompson moves as well as any other small forward on the perimeter with his lateral agility. His physique matches up well with any power forward whether they be of the traditional or stretch variety. His base and core strength as well as tremendous technique, focus, and execution let him defend his position at center.

See his defensive work on Paul Millsap in this year’s playoffs as the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Atlanta Hawks in the second round. See how he’s been switching and guarding on the perimeter with extreme effectiveness. Guarding players like Demar Derozan as well as anybody in space then block a shot at the rim.

Offensively, he’s effective because of his screening to free up the ball handler. His scoring is enhanced by his ability to find the open space and catch lobs in both the pick and roll and from quick cuts towards the basket. This why defenders keep a body on him despite his lack of post moves or a shooting stroke.

Thompson is mostly effective when offensive rebounding. An offensive rebound can get any player on his team another shot. Often by being a trailer on a drive by a teammate, he can improve upon the offensive rebound with a tip-in or putback dunk.

Yet, looking at the offensive firepower on his team he’s likely giving the ball back to LeBron, Kyrie, or even up to JR Smith for another chance to shoot. With all hovering around 50% from the field, I would like their chances of making 1 of 2. With shooters like Uncle Drew and JR Swish, I would bet my bottom dollar they make their second straight three attempt.

The gamble often plays off and is a big reason the Cavs win games. Nearly as much as LeBron or Kyrie’s scoring.

Tristan Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James are three of the Cleveland Cavaliers last six top 10 picks and only these three have reached an NBA Finals. One is out of the league, one comes off the bench for a team recently sent home, one is a star and was traded for a recently benched and constantly embroiled star player.

In these 2016 NBA Finals, here are the Big Three’s stats: LeBron James is averaging 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while playing 40.9 minutes a game and shooting 51.4% from the field and 40% from long-range; Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while playing 38.3 minutes a game and shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.6% from long-range; Tristan Thompson is averaging 10.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.5 offensive rebounds per game while playing 32.3 minutes a game. He’s been holding Golden State’s shooters to 6% less than their average from deep, has 54.1% of the team’s offensive rebounds and 18.2% of the blocks.

The first on the list was “The Chosen One” then “The King”. I propose a new moniker for this mentally evolved LeBron that knows his own strength, “The Godfather”. The second, is likely already an all-time Cavalier and has been the former’s best running-mate since Dwyane Wade.

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The last, Tristan Thompson, is rightful owner of the last spot in the Cleveland Cavaliers Big Three. He’s likely going to be the most memorable Cavalier to play center, and most useful, since Zydranaus Ilgauskus. Though not an offensive talent in the usual way, he frees up the other scorers to score while cleaning up for them, and finding open spaces at an elite rate. Defensively, he’s the second most versatile defender on the Cavaliers roster outside of LeBron James. He’s the team’s ironman, the best friend of the best player, came into the league with Kyrie and been through all of the same ups and downs

Now is the time to recognize Tristan Thompson for his rightful place in the Big Three. He’s been there, he’s necessary, he’s signed for the long-term, and he’s here now. He shows up and delivers like Dennis Rodman did for Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

Give this man a billboard because he never fails to show up. In every round he’s been there. Every year for three years, he’s played in every game possible. He’s been key to the team’s wins since his arrival.

That’s big.