Tristan Thompson records double-double against Brazil in World Cup Qualifiers

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson put up a double-double against Brazil in the World Cup Qualifiers.

On Thursday, Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds (1 offensive) in 29 minutes of action as Canada defeated Brazil 85-77 in the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Thompson would also add 2 assists and 1 block for Canada while going 5-6 from the field, although he did go 0-5 from the free-throw line.

Former Cavs center Anderson Varejao, the starting center for Brazil, recorded 10 points (5-8 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in 28 minutes.

Varejao played a similar role as Thompson — a high-motor rim-roller who played any role the Cavs asked — when he played for Cleveland from 2004-2005 to 2009-2010, the first act of the Cavs’ LeBron Era.

The floppy-haired “Wild Thing” averaged 7.1 points, 6.9 rebounds (2.3 offensive), 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 24.7 minutes per game over those six seasons. He also shot 51.9 percent from the field.

For comparison, Thompson has averaged 9.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game since being drafted in 2011. He’s shot 51.8 percent from the field.

Varejao would attempt to take on a featured role in the two seasons that immediately followed “The Decision”, averaging 12.5 points, 13.0 rebounds (4.9 offensive), 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game.

However, he only managed to play in 25 games each of those seasons; his body clearly wasn’t used to or equipped for the job he was being tasked with.

With the steady ascension of Thompson, injuries and age affecting his play, Varejao’s numbers came back down to earth. He averaged 8.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 blocks per game in 26.8 minutes per game over the next two seasons, playing only 26 games in 2014-2015.

The next season saw both LeBron James return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Varejao depart; the Wild Thing was traded away for Channing Frye in a three-team deal.

After being waived by the Portland Trail Blazers, Varejao would sign with the Golden State Warriors. If that wasn’t evidence enough that the relationship between Varejao and the Cavs — the only team he had played for prior to the trade — had soured, then the news that he wouldn’t accept a championship ring from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 was.

Varejao hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2015-2016 season, his lack of lateral agility being the primary reason. However, as evidenced by his starting role on a national team in a FIBA Basketball event, he’s certainly still displaying his passion for the game.

More from Cavs Analysis

• The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
• This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
• Projecting how much Cavs’ 3 two-way signings might play this season
• 4 Cavaliers looking to make a name for themselves in training camp
• Mitchell’s numbers getting trimmed a bit wouldn’t be bad thing for Cavaliers

Thompson had the worst season of his career last season, playing putrid defense and notching career-lows in games played (53), points per game (5.8), blocks per game (0.3) and minutes per game (20.2). His 6.6 rebounds per game were the second-lowest of his career.

However, from the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors to the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Thompson returned to usual form. While helping turn the Cavs, postseason around with his defense, IQ and hustle, Double-T averaged 7.2 points, 7.0 rebounds (2.2 offensive) and 0.6 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game in those 11 playoff games.

Next season, with a frontcourt that’s thinned — both in terms of depth and literal size — in the absence of LeBron (and Jeff Green), there are more rebounds available. Thompson will be a primary candidate to improve on his 2017-2018 numbers, whether from the regular season or postseason.

Remaining healthy and coming into the new season having played competitively just weeks prior will only help fast-track his return to prominence.

Prior to last season, Thompson had become one of the more respected big men in the game thanks to his offensive rebounding, mobility and defense.

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com