3 things Cavs fans should be most grateful for regarding Tristan Thompson

#3: The intangibles/Thompson’s leadership for the Cavs the past two seasons

Thompson, in the past two seasons after LeBron left via unrestricted free agency essentially the second time in the summer of 2018, then to the Los Angeles Lakers, had seemingly taken charge as the primary leader on the Cavs.

It’s evident that what Thompson provided was solid interior play, big-time glass cleaning, great screening, constant activity as a defensive rotator and he was an overall diligent worker at both ends.

TT, let’s not gloss over, had a career-best 12.0 points per game in 2019-20, and made strides on that end the past two seasons, albeit his 2018-19 was largely injury-riddled. He had a near-career-best 10.1 rebounds per contest last season, too, anyhow.

It’s more than what Thompson brought game-in, game-out on the interior/as a screener/rebounder, though, and the Cavaliers fully understood that.

What was clear in his last two seasons, in particular (not to discount him as a teammate before), was that he was such a valuable leadership presence for youngsters such as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Kevin Porter Jr. and others.

This tweet from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor involving comments from Larry Nance Jr. on TT was so telling about his Cavs career, sure, but also in relation to his intangibles, how he seemingly was a key leader in Nance’s time and with how awesome a teammate Thompson has been.

Nance touching on how TT “has always been one of the good guys,” as Fedor noted was spot-on.

Thanks so much for all you’ve given the Cavs over the years, Tristan. I’m beyond grateful for it, and we’ll assuredly see your #13 jersey retired.

You’ll always be considered a Cavs lifer in my book, TT.