Tristan Thompson: The Unsung Hero
Tristan Thompson may never be one of the league’s most marketed players. However, he is certainly one of the NBA’ s most valuable players.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team filled with stars and superstars. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love receive most of the coverage, and with good reason. Yet, as good as the “Big Three” are, there is another player that is just as important to their success. That player is Tristan Thompson.
Thompson may not be an All-Star, and you probably won’t be seeing him on any billboards or video game covers. But he is a vital part of the Cavaliers’ team, and a big reason why they have been to the last three NBA Finals.
Thompson may not score 20 points per game, and his nightly exploits may not always be seen in the highlights but he is a vital member of the roster.
Thompson’s skill set adds a level of versatility that the Cavaliers use to be successful.
Rebounding is the aspect of Thompson’s game that most fans know about and the aspect that’s easiest to see in a box score. Thompson averaged 9.2 rebounds per game, which was second best on the team behind Kevin Love. He had at least 10 rebounds in 38 games last season, proving that he is more than capable of affecting a game on the glass.
Thompson led the team in offensive rebounds per game (3.7) and total offensive rebounds (286). His ability to crash the offensive boards gives the Cavaliers the chance to score second-chance points, points that could be vital in winning a game.
The Cavaliers rely on Thompson’s toughness and fearlessness down low, and it is often a mismatch they can exploit against teams with smaller players.
On defense, Thompson averaged just over a block per game (1.1) last season, which led all Cavaliers. At 6-foot-9, he is an imposing figure for smaller guards attempting to drive into the lane. His height allows him to affect their shots and either block them or influence more difficult attempts. Meanwhile, he has the mobility to keep up with players on the perimeter. That switching ability makes him a premier big in the modern era, despite his lack of skill as a scorer.
With that said, while Thompson is not the greatest free-throw shooter (a fact evidenced by his lack of comfort with shooting the midrange jumper), he has increased his efficiency from the field with every season he has been in the league. He shot an even 60.0 percent from the field last season, which led the team.
The majority of Thompson’s shots come close to the basket, often in the form of layups and dunks as he makes himself an easy target for lobs around the rim and put himself in great positions for putbacks. 68.6 percent of his shot attempts last season came from within 3 feet of the basket.
Thompson takes the easiest shots on the court, and he makes them at a very high rate, making him one of the most efficient players on the roster.
Nonetheless, in my opinion, durability is Thompson’s most valuable attribute. He plays hard every time he is on the floor, and rarely misses a game. In fact he played in 447 consecutive games before a thumb injury forced him to sit in April of last season.
Thompson played in every single Cavaliers game from the 2012-13 season through 2015-16. He battled several smaller injuries during the streak, including having teeth knocked out. Thompson’s resolve gives the Cavaliers comfort in knowing that they have a high-caliber player with that kind of reliability.
He is the modern-day NBA “ironman.” In an era where players will rest, seemingly on a whim, Thompson strives to be on the floor every single night, giving his all.