Tristan Thompson’s emergence a good sign moving forward

For six games, Tristan Thompson sat at the end of the bench.  Watching and waiting for his turn to contribute in the Cleveland Cavaliers first-round series.

When head coach Tyronn Lue told Tristan Thompson he would be in the lineup for Sunday’s Game 7, that’s all he needed to hear. He would be ready to roll, and it showed as Thompson was one of the Cleveland Cavaliers most active players in Game 7.

Right from the opening tip, Thompson made his presence felt. Scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds in just under 11 minutes in the first quarter. Coupled with LeBron’s 13 points, Cleveland found themselves up 12 after one period.

This emergence from Thompson was quite the surprise. After a disappointing regular season on the court, and personal issues off the court, Tristan had fallen out of the playoff rotation.

The message of Tristan in the starting lineup made more sense once you saw Cleveland’s starting five.  All five players were on the team last year and have experience in big playoff games. Lue went with his gut, and it worked.

Tristan looked focused and determined all game long. It was a night and day difference from the regular season version of Thompson, who could never really find a rhythm.

The version of Tristan we saw today looked similar to the version that was a key piece to the Cavaliers title run in 2016.

The connection James and Thompson had today was just what Cleveland needed in Game 7.  It relieved a little pressure off of LeBron while making Indiana pay when they had lapses on defense.

More from King James Gospel

• 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
• The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
• 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
• 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
• This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead

Tristan’s relentless energy and hustle won the fans back over. Every loose ball and offense rebound Thompson got to sparked the hometown crowd. At the half, his 10 points and 10 rebounds were a friendly reminder of how valuable Tristan can be.

Even though Indiana made their run (again) in the third quarter, Cleveland battled through adversity. Entering the final 12 minutes, Cleveland held a slim 76-74 lead. While the inexperienced  Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr seemed overwhelmed, Tristan was cool under pressure.

Whenever Cleveland needed to slow the Pacers down, Tristan was apart of the group called upon to do so. His rebounding ability coupled with his ability to switch onto smaller guards and hold his own is part of what makes him valuable.

With Tristan on the floor, this allows Kevin Love to play his natural power forward position.  Kevin’s best game this series came on Sunday, no coincidence that it was his first game at the power forward spot.

Moving forward a lineup with Love at the 4 spot and Thompson at the 5 spot seems like the way to go. Paired with LeBron in the front court, this trio is experienced, helping Cleveland reach three straight NBA Finals.

Thompson’s situational awareness and ability to react to a developing play on defense proved vital late in Game 7.  Up eight points with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Tristan left his man to help out on a driving Darren Collison. Thompson timed it perfectly, swatting Collison’s shot into the first row.

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/990677547804393472

A play like that can only be made by someone who has the experience Thompson possesses. Defense like this is what helped Cleveland slow down Indiana for large portions of the series.

Moving forward expect to see a lot of Thompson.  His 35 minutes were crucial, he proved today just how reliable of a player he can be for the Cavaliers in this postseason.

His 15 points were second most to LeBron’s 45 and he had a game-high 10 rebounds. The frontcourt trio of James, Love, and Thomson combined for 25 rebounds.  This will be an important stat to watch moving forward. The more second-chance opportunities they can create, the better. In turn, limiting the opposition to one shot per possession is important.

If Thompson can perform the way he did in Game 7 moving forward, Cleveland will be in good shape. The way Tristan responded to the moment of a do-or-die game says a lot about who he is as a player. He was able to put his past behind him and step up to help his team win a Game 7, you cannot ask for more.

Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: Paul George to the Land is now a real possibility

Tristan’s re-emergence as a valuable role player is just what the Cavaliers need to spark another run to the NBA Finals.