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David Griffin: Top 5 moves as Cleveland Cavaliers GM

By Tevin Williams

Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13, center) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the third quarter in game one of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13, center) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the third quarter in game one of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

#4: The rebounding machine

The picture above wraps up everything that Tristan Thompson does for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He rebounds, dives for loose balls, sets solid screens, and he never gives up on a play. TT is the type of player that does all of the dirty work on the basketball court that no one else wants to.

Commentators don’t aww over setting crushing screens, and fans don’t post highlight clips of TT taking charges, but those plays win ball games. Which is why when Thompson’s contract was up, LeBron called for the Cavs to re-sign him. Griffin and the Cavs answered that call, inking Thompson to a 5-year, $82 million contract.

Thompson averaged 10.3 points and 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 coming as offensive rebounds, in the 2016 NBA Finals. TT had 15 and 16 rebounds in games 5 and 6 as the Cavaliers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to take the chip.