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Tristan Thompson’s number 13 should eventually be retired by Cavs

ByBen Korzep|
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bobby Portis #1 of the New York Knicks fight for a rebound during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2020 in Cleveland, 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)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bobby Portis #1 of the New York Knicks fight for a rebound during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2020 in Cleveland, 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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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson at the 2011 NBA Draft with the late previous NBA commissioner, David Stern. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Looking at TT’s path to get to this point

The fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Texas has came a long way since getting drafted.

He’s gone from fighting for minutes behind Anderson Varejao, developing with Irving, earning second team All-Rookie honors, helping with many playoff runs including a championship, and becoming a leader in the locker room for a rebuilding team, all in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform over a near nine-year span. That is a pretty impressive resume.

Thompson does all of the the dirty work for the Cavaliers, even when it’s not showing up on the basic stat sheet.

His ability to crash the glass so hard on both ends, set outstanding screens in the past for Irving, James and others, and now Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Cedi Osman, defend the post well and switch out in the pick-and-roll effectively when healthy all have greatly helped Cleveland for so long.

I honestly do not know where this 2019-2020 Cavaliers team would be without Tristan Thompson. He has held the locker room together and been a much-needed leader for the young guys, as the aforementioned Fedor, along with Sports Illustrated‘s Sam Amico and others in the local media have hit on throughout this season.

Thompson’s also currently on track for career-highs in points (12.0), rebounds (10.4), and assists (2.1) per game this season, according to Basketball Reference.

Tristan could be on the move soon, but whether that happens or not, his work here should not go unnoticed and his number 13 should eventually be retired in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and never worn again by a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.