Tristan “Canadian Dynamite” Thompson, the Cavaliers’ unlikely hero

The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to squeak out wins in their last two playoff games against the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. This is thanks, in part, to the play of center Tristan Thompson.

Heading into game seven against the Indiana Pacers, there was plenty on the line for the Cleveland Cavaliers. If they were to lose, it would be a travesty. Ever since LeBron James returned to The Land, the mantra has always been, “title or bust”.

Thankfully for Cavaliers fans, King James once again carried them to a win over the Pacers with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. James, who is continuously making a case over James Harden for MVP, was the saving grace for the Cavaliers.

While James was by far the best player for the Cavaliers that night, another player stepped up big time. Tristan Thompson was also key in the team’s win over Indiana. In a last-second start, Thompson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds and some clutch defense on Myles Turner:

After his thumb injury, coupled with Indiana’s tenacious defense, Kevin Love struggled mightily against the Pacers. Besides Love, pretty much anyone not named LeBron James was also a disappointment. So, to have Thompson show up in a major way was a pleasant surprise.

After the series-clinching win over the Pacers, Thompson was again clutch in the second round against the Toronto Raptors.  Love and the Cavaliers were being bullied by Raptors center Jonas Valunciunas and his Viking tattoos. Well, Thompson must have been playing God of War because he made Valunciunas look like a boy amongst men. (Caution: major spoilers)

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Thompson, playing in his hometown, turned The Six upside down off the bench. He finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds and was a key part of why the Cavaliers were able to steal game one on the road. For once, LeBron James looked mortal against the Raptors and Thompson was key in rising past the supposed Kings of the North. Yet again, Thompson heroics were a surprise to fans and the team is up 1-0 in the series.

The reason both games were such a big surprise was Thompson has become the butt of most jokes this season. On the court, Thompson looked like a shell of himself. He just did not possess the tenacity on the glass or the stalwart switch defense he normally has.

The lack of those before-mentioned abilities of Thompson’s also made plenty of fans question his value three years into his 5-year $82-million contract. Naturally, it made countless fans throw in Thompson in any ESPN Trade Simulation in any possible deadline move.

Off the court, people were still poking fun at Thompson. He is infamously known for dating celebrity personality Khloe Kardashian. Fans joke that Khloe, and her sister Kim, would curse NBA players and Thompson was the latest victim. Due to Thompson being thrust into the spotlight with Kardashian’s reality show, he was soon called Tristan Kardashian.

Beyond the limelight and tv fame, Thompson’s relationship made the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Before the playoffs, footage and images surfaced of Thompson cheating on Kardashian. It took the world by storm and provided an unnecessary distraction to the Cavaliers’ locker room. Thompson again was the butt of every joke and drew much-deserved criticism.

Even his hometown of Toronto joined in on the jokes the other night:

Well, after the win and leaving Toronto shook, Thompson may be the one getting the last laugh. For whatever reason, Thompson again has found his abilities that have been missing all season. He was the catalyst in shoring up the Cavaliers’ defense and played a part in Valunciunas showcasing his bricklaying ability. If he keeps it up heading into game two, the Cavaliers can easily be sitting pretty up 2-0 headed back to Cleveland.

As mentioned before, Kevin Love is struggling mightily. Love has shared that he does not enjoy battling Valunciunas and if he has an off night like last night, the Cavs need not worry. Tristan Thompson has stepped up to the occasion and if he keeps it up, the Cavs will not be going home in the second round. Nate Smith of Cavs: The Blog has famously called Thompson “Canadian Dynamite” in the past, and he is living up to the name yet again.

Also, do not expect King James to have yet-another off night in game two so with Thompson in tow the Cavaliers have a real shot to set up an easy series win.