#3: Love and TT are going to be workhorses when they’re in
Love and Thompson have been terrific thus far overall, and in particular, on the glass.
Love is putting up an outstanding 16.8 rebounds per game, and in Cleveland’s last outing, a 117-111 win over the Bulls, he had a 20-rebound effort, which was huge.
He’s also rebounded at a historic pace in these first four games in terms of the Cavaliers, according to Elias Sports Bureau and Cavs Official Notes (and again, that Jason mask was something else).
https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1189906116995682305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1189906116995682305&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fkingjamesgospel.com%2F2019%2F10%2F31%2Fcleveland-cavaliers-kevin-love-having-so-much-fun-this-season%2F
In addition, Love is putting up 16.0 points on 60.3% effective field goal shooting, and is leading the Cavaliers in assists per game currently with 5.0 (per NBA.com).
He’s truly re-established himself as the engine of Cleveland’s offense, and that’s been really exciting to see as a Cavs fan.
Swinging back to Thompson, he’s undoubtedly been the MVP of the Cleveland Cavaliers to this point.
He’s leading the team in scoring with 20.3 points per game on 59.4% shooting, and it’s been really impressive to see him attack more off-the-bounce this year on straight-line drives, get quality jump hooks, and show much more touch as a roller.
Clearly, though, TT is still going to be a terror for opponents on the offensive glass, and that’s resulted in his share of putback jams.
For this young squad, Thompson is setting the tone in that way, but his defense has also has been outstanding. This season, Beilein has touched on how he wants Thompson to be more of a rim protector, and he’s made his mark there in a big way.
Against the Bulls, Thompson had a whale of a game, and his energy and grit kept the Cavs afloat through some rough patches. Thompson also had a career-high five blocks in that one, and Cleveland needed every last one of them.
Talk to ’em, TT!
Anyhow, it’s evident that with the way Thompson has been playing on both ends, he’s out to prove something this season.
I truly don’t believe that’s just because he’s on an expiring contract, either, whereas TT being fully healthy for the first time in seemingly quite a while is the real reason.
Maybe the Cavs eventually try to trade him, maybe they don’t.
At this point, either way, it’s a certainty that Love and Thompson are going to be workhorses for these Cavs and make their presences felt when they’re on the floor.
That’ll always mean on the glass, as keys to the offense, and in Thompson’s case, in taking on a big defensive challenge every night, whether that be individually or in the team sense.
On to the next.