Tristan Thompson Is Mr. Efficient

Tristan Thompson was a key component in the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers. Why is he so efficient a scorer? Because he’s embraced his role on the Cavs.

The former No. 4 overall pick in the NBA’s 2011 draft now has a championship ring. His name is Tristan Thompson. The big man has slowly become the most efficient contributor in the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ offense.

Thompson’s scoring and rebounding numbers haven’t changed much since his rookie season. This could be considered his best statistical season, casually could be seen as 2013-14, where he averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. From the 2015-16 season, Thompson’s averages were 7.8 points and 9.0 rebounds.

Often times, when players hit their prime, or max potential, you see a rise in their numbers such as points per game, rebounds, assists, etc. But, what Thompson has been able to do, is to embrace his role as a offensive rebounding, put-back machine. He’s become the best in the league at it.

The punch line – Thompson is averaging even less points and field goal attempts than he ever before has.

In the 2015-16 season, Tristan Thompson only averaged 5.1 shot attempts a game. That’s nearly half of Thompson’s 9.7 he averaged in the 2012-13 season.

Presumably, Thompson’s points come mainly off put backs off of offensive rebounds, as he made on average 3.0 field goals, compared to his 3.3 offensive rebounds a game.

The real difference maker is in field goal percentage since he was a rookie. In Thompson’s first year, he put up a field goal percentage of 43.9 percent. This year, Tristan added almost 15.0 percent to his percentage, putting it at an extremely high 58.8 percent.

If Thompson had taken enough shots to qualify, in the 2015-16 season he would’ve been fourth in the league behind 3 of the leagues best centers, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard and Hassan Whiteside.

In fact, Tristan Thompson even led the league in Offensive Rating this past year. This stat that takes the points the player is producing, multiplies it by the possesions he plays, so that a player’s efficiency at scoring could be more comparable to other. Other players right behind Thompson in the top 10 include names like Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul.

What has suddenly changed Thompson into this efficient offensive machine? Why is he able to score 8-10 points a game, grab 10 or so rebounds, as one of the most efficient in the game?

A lot has to do with, he is playing with the best player in the world, LeBron James. Anyone could testify, the King himself makes every teammate around him better.

More from King James Gospel

Or maybe it’s that the Cavaliers shoot so many 3s, that Thompson only takes the opportunity to score when he’s able to win the offensive rebound battle, finishing with an easy layup.

Both of these are probably true. Thompson has gotten significantly more efficient and pickier scoring the basketball since LeBron James came back to Cleveland. He also is able to get all of his offense off of missed three’s by Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith.

What isn’t mentioned, however, is that Thompson continues to take his role as that beast on the offensive boards in stride. His ego is nonexistent. He goes out on the floor every night knowing he isn’t going to lead the game in points, make flashy passes or hit that clutch shot.

Why has Thompson has become one of the most efficient scorers in the game of basketball? Not because he’s an amazing talent. It’s because he completely understands and embraces his role on the Cavaliers. This is worthy to be praised.

What expectations should the Cavs have for Tristan Thompson as a starter? Let us know in the comments section or follow and tweet us @KJG_NBA.