We need a Tristan Thompson

The Cavs have caught a lot of shit for Tristan Thompson. First, for drafting him so high in the first place, and second, for throwing so much money at him to stay. But who's laughing now? Thompson does for the Cavs essentially what Bosh did for Miami (only without the jumpshots, but with better rebounding): he is a smallball center who can guard everybody. Yes, Draymond Green is supposedly the same thing for Golden State, but he's essentially a unicorn, whereas players like Thompson are, while invaluable to the team that has them, more available. Perhaps the archetype of the breed is Joakim Noah: a player who seem undersized at C but rebounds like a motherfucker and (and this is the important part) defend ANYBODY. Somebody pointed out that a huge amount of Steph Curry's struggles against the Cavs came because of Thompson's ability to stay with him on switches.

Is Ed Davis that for us? I don't know that he is yet, but if he could be, that would be awesome. Otherwise, we could stand to get more versatile defenders.

 

I mean.... I think you also have to factor in that the Cavs were able to be WAY MORE physical with the Warriors than we were. It makes it immeasurably easier to defend a guard when the refs aren't calling you for the slightest contact on the perimeter.

 

Ed Davis on a SF, much less a guard would not go well.

We need another Plastic Man

 

I loved Augmon... I was thrilled when we traded for him. Such an underrated player.

 

Thompson is an overpaid Ed Davis.
Thompson is 2 years younger, and is stronger. Davis says he's putting on 20 lb. of muscle this offseason - we'll see.

 

If I were Neil, I'd focus on finding a couple of those type guys. Would do wonders for us if we make the playoffs again

 

We need a third scorer. That supersedes any other needs at this point.

 

Completely agree. Dare I say 3rd star type scorer.

 

Would you put up with Greg Monroe's bad defense for his offense?

Or is he not enough/the right kind of a third scorer in your scenario?

 

Yeah. Horford would be perfect.

 

God, no. Point me to a player like Monroe doing anything worthwhile in these playoffs. Nearest comp is Kanter, and OKC had to sit him, despite his excellent rebounding and offense because they couldn't afford a sieve on the floor. (Kevin Love sort of redeemed himself in game 7 but let's be honest: the series turned in Cleveland's favor the minute he had to sit out a game.)

Remember: one non-scorer does not destroy your entire offense. One non-defender DOES destroy your entire D.

 

Who was the Cav's third scorer?

 

I think statements like that are just evidence of how undervalued defense is. That's also why people STILL deny Draymond Green top-tier league status. Thompson was certainly top 3 most valuable Cavs player and may even have equaled Kyrie in value. He was easily their second-best player last year when they took 2 from Golden State.

(And that's not to knock Ed. Here's hoping he can keep working on his game to become as valuable as Thompson. But he's nowhere near there yet.)

 

Honestly I really didn't care who won. I was pulling for GS, but not by much. But I was a little pissed when they called a foul on Steph for a hand check. Where was that call the rest of the series?

 

I know obsessing about the refs is "your thing" but maybe part of the reason the Cavs were ABLE to be more physical (if indeed they were) was because they actually PLAYED that way, and have big guys who can play physical defense without being clumsy about it (hello Plumlee).

 

Did you throw your mouth guard at the TV?

 

Undervalued by Cleveland, too - he wasn't a starter all season.

 

You mean like Finals MVP Andre Iguodala?

 

I don't understand why people on these boards cite one or two examples from the history of the NBA and feel they've proved their point.

5'3" dudes can thrive in the NBA, because Mugsy Bogues. No, tiny dudes can't Bogues was an aberration.

Thompson averaged 27.7 mpg this season.