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Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson could be the forgotten Cav

By Nathan Beighle

INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 25, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 25, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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After the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season opener, all the talk about Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. Tristan Thompson, in his second unit role, has been forgotten.

As I started to think about writing this article, I wasn’t sure if there would be enough, to say for certain, that the Cleveland Cavaliers have forgotten about Tristan Thompson. After seeing the figures from the Cavs opener, without a shadow of a doubt, the Cavaliers have forgotten about their former starter.

Against the Celtics, Thompson had five points, six rebounds, and just three field goal attempts. Of Thompson’s 19.6 minutes, he played 13.6 of those with superstar teammate LeBron James. James’ dynamic passing ability has been vital to Thompson’s success over the past few seasons.

The real figure that shocked me was the 19.6. Thompson, who has been an absolute dog for this team the past three seasons, played less than 20 minutes per game. Offseason additions, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, and Dwyane Wade all played more minutes than Thompson. Teammates JR Smith, LeBron James, and Kevin Love also played more minutes than TT. Besides his rookie season, Thompson has never seen his minutes dip below 26 per game. Along those lines, Thompson in three of his six seasons has played and started 78 or more games. The sad truth is that those numbers will be completely reconstructed this season. He won’t start, and he might play just over 20 minutes per game.

Does it shock you to learn that even after just one game the Cavaliers are among the league’s worst offensive rebounding teams? That was Thompson’s bread-and-butter. He has averaged over 3.0 offensive boards per game since entering the league in 2011. The Cavaliers, without Thompson in the starting lineup, depending on Love to get the boards. Without a player like Thompson, the Cavaliers might have advanced spacing, but they certainly will only be getting one chance on the majority of their possessions.

Often times, Thompson’s impact, since it doesn’t show up in stat sheets or highlights reels, is forgotten. This season, his impact and his game might end up wasting away on the bench and only come out in the form of extremely limited minutes. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Thompson could return to his old position, but the Cavaliers must suffer immensely before that happens. Only extreme turmoil will change this starting lineup, and if TT is inserted, many other changes must occur to keep acceptable spacing for the King.

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Lue seems pretty set in his lineups and rotation, and Thompson might just have to realize that his time being a contributing member of this team could be on the brink of extinction.