Corey Kluber makes Cy Young case with 14 strikeouts in win
September 17, 2014The Browns final drive, and hoping for momentum
September 17, 2014I don’t know if you noticed this summer, but Kyrie Irving got paid—handsomely. The man selected three spots later at number four is still waiting. Zach Lowe decided to look at potential bank breakers in the NBA and Tristan Thompson made his list.
No single player will benefit more than Thompson from this summer’s wild roster movement. Thompson’s third season was a depressing plateau, one that pegged his ceiling on offense as “skilled NBA mooch.” He is not a post-up threat and probably should not be allowed to even try it now that three of the world’s 20 best offensive players are in Cleveland. Thompson shot just 41 percent on post-ups last season, per Synergy Sports, and has one go-to move: a righty jump hook he lofts after a quick one-dribble attack from the left block.
The Tristan Thompson story is an interesting one because of who he’s aligned himself with, sharing an agent with LeBron James. Once upon a time, that was viewed as a bit controversial among some Cavaliers fans. Back when Tristan came into the league this city wanted nothing to do with LeBron or his representative Rich Paul. As it turns out, nothing could have been smarter for Tristan Thompson now that LeBron is back in town and Thompson’s game can benefit from playing alongside him.
But back to Zach Lowe’s description of Thompson as a “skilled NBA mooch.” I kind of hope that’s an accurate statement. I hope the somewhat underwhelming Tristan Thompson becomes a rich man’s Drew Gooden finding comfort in a defined role among the stars. And who cares what he’s paid as long as he’s worth keeping on the team? This team will be over the cap regardless, so one of the best ways for the team to actually improve is organic improvement of the talent that’s here.
Whether that’s real, actual improvement or a mooching osmosis effect of playing alongside LeBron James, I don’t think it matters.
15 Comments
I’m not sure what this is supposed to mean – he gets garbage buckets?
Put backs, layups things of that nature is what comes to mind for me when I hear “garbage buckets.” I’m just happy Thompson will be coming off the bench because that’s where he’s belonged since he was drafted. He’s not a starting PF in the NBA. Hopefully he comes off the bench with Waiters and figures out his game is rebounding and playing defense. I’d love to see him block more shots but I don’t want to expect to much.
It’s safe to assume that Thompson hasn’t had a play run for him since he joined the league—I know for a fact that Mike Brown never drew one up for him. This said, that’s not a great way to access value as Anderson Varejao is in the same boat.
Mike Brown? Draw up a play?
LOL That was the funniest thing I’ve heard all week!
That was a joke? Right?
Well then… guess he can go now too, cause we got “buckets” covered.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14UCcmMDwmI/U8xrER-t8QI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/O8uYnKzpxyg/s1600/uncle+drew.png
when the Cavs are in the NBA supertax threshold there will some regret on extending him for too much. that said, teams need to find these guys and eventually replace them
RGB, you may want to read it again. He never said Mike Brown drew up any plays.
Sorry.
“Mike Brown” and any iteration of “Draw up a play” in the same sentence…no, make that, paragraph…is always comedic gold in my book.
The salary cap is projected to take a big leap that will help but I wouldn’t be so certain Thompson gets a Brinks truck backed up. Don’t forget they’ll have Varejao due as well.
Kyrie’s deal is tied to the cap (% of the cap). Lebron will make more, and Love will be near Kyrie and probably more. The Cavs are going to be over the cap in any scenario and paying a supertax for Tristan will look bad. After a few years at X% of the cap, I think the Supertax could be in a 4-1 range.
I understand each but like I said the cap will be rising plus as Griffin demonstrated this past summer there are ways of lessening the impact financially. I have faith that he looked ahead and knew what he was doing. Besides that Dan Gilbert has demonstrated in the past and has said he will spend to win. The Cavaliers will have a significant boost off the court as well. Ticket sales have gone through the roof creating the need for a lottery, merchandise sales have skyrocketed and lets not forget the casino next door owned by Gilbert which should see a significant increase in traffic. This is how you have 3D effects not to mention possibly a new scoreboard. I’m not worried in the least.
Poor rich man Mike Brown all ya’ll beating up on him!
i have every belief that the Cavs – WHEREVER they draft – will be able to replace TT with someone better.
Great point replacing him with a draft pick is another option. How many first round picks does Griffin have left, two? If Thompson doesn’t do well in his new role saving money for possibly Varejao while using a draft pick would make sense.
honestly with Lebron, Love and Verejao Id say we are set at PF,… Id want to draft a center or wing