Things are looking up, my friends. Tristan is playing well, Waiters just had an absurd game attacking the basket, and, as Kevin points out in this podcast, the Cavs are now 5 of our last 14, with a heavy dose of home games on the horizon.. Despite Andy’s best efforts, there’s lots to be positive about.
And so Kevin, Tom, and I decided to record a podcast.
In today’s episode we discuss Tristan Thompson’s development, Dion Waiters’s shot selection, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ bench situation, and why the Cavs keep losing so much.
We can be found on SoundCloud at – https://soundcloud.com/cavstheblog/0020-cant-we-just-talk-about
And on iTunes at – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cavs-the-podcast/id528149843?mt=2
Enjoy!
I’m not listening to this until someone tells me it’s free of references to:
1. Mallory’s uncle
2. Scott Raab
Give me that much and I’ll give it a listen.
dude are you guys ready to admit that Mallory knows nothing about basketball?
Thanks Brandon! Always appreciate in-depth, constructive criticisms.
Cols714,
I saved your comment from the monster. It was mostly digested, it had been in there so long.
The podcast is free of both of those items, however those are two of the most cherished moments in CtB podcast history.
Mallory, my argument is stronger than the one you put forward for Tristan being a “finesse” player. Are you kidding me?
Does Tristan have a nice touch on his baby hook? Yes. But he’s a player who’s gonna make his living in the trenches: rebounding and playing defense. The guy can’t even dunk the ball with one hand, bro.
Disclaimer: I love Tristan’s game, not knocking him.
I actually think Mallory is on to something there. Tristan is 6 8, not quite undersized, but not that tall. If he tries the power game all the time, its gonna get blocked. He has more touch than people give him credit for; he has a decent handle, and his passing is not great but is ridiculously improved from last year. He is not going to ever be a super-refined player, but the closer he gets to that, the more valuable he will be offensively.
It is sort of a conundrum. He needs the size for his defense, and he needs the finesse for his offense.
Brandon -
Tristan not being able to dunk plays into my argument. Tristan’s ability is based FAR more in smarts than in physical ability – when he plays against stronger players he gets pushed around (Favors, Dwight) but against weaker opposition is able to dominate on the D end. On O his success is entirely predicated on finesse vs power/strength.
David -
It’s interesting because, coming out of college, we all assumed the fact that TT was LONGER than most players would sort of outweigh his lack of height, but it hasn’t. The fact is he’s undersized. But that little bunny hook thing he does is entirely touch vs/strength, and it’s served him well.
?
I hope he learns even more touch – maybe a Duncanesque spin to the basked for a layup?
I guess my more general point is that Tristan was not drafted to be a scorer on this team. Best case scenario, for me anyway, is a near lock-down caliber defender in the post, an elite rebounder on both ends of the floor and a garbage man around the rim. Want a couple baby hooks thrown in there throughout the course of game? Sure. For my money though, give me 5 more pounds of muscle and a continued commitment to defense – which this team sorely lacks – and rebounding.
Of course he’s gonna have to be crafty around the hoop given his slight height disadvantage – any undersized player would – but I’d like to see more cuts to the basket for easy looks (and yes, finishing strong) rather than trying to develop more variations of his little baby hook. Playing smart and strong aren’t mutually exclusive, you know. I’m not saying the dude has no touch, because he clearly does. But just because he has a move (“a” being the operative article here) doesn’t mean he’s a finesse player.
Only made it through 10min…Mallory ruins what would otherwise be good conversations…Dude never has an original idea, just agrees, then piggybacks off others ideas….How about ask a question, then shut the fuck up when the person is responding? We don’t need you cutting them off to tell them you agree/disagree…..My personal favorite is when you cut someone off, stutter for 5 seconds, then say something meaningless…………
Tristan isn’t a typical player. He’s not crazy undersized.. Barkley was like 6’5” at best but he was also a skilled athletic freak. Larry Johnson was 6’7” at best. Anthony Bennett, my favorite player in college hoops is only 6’7”. TT is unique. I still think his best comp is Canadian non ghetto Tyrus Thomas. Canadians have better dispositions than Americans. He’s Thomas with work ethic and manners. TT is quick but not fast. He’s long, but not tall. Perhaps he has small hands for his build. It could explain the gather, the inability to dunk with one hand and the fumbling of the ball in traffic.
I”ve thought for awhile that TT was thinking to much. The mastery of basketball is pure instinct. Where you don’t actually plan a move, it just happens. It becomes second nature. Kyrie doesn’t choreograph his moves. They happen. It’s like a boxer immediately recognizing a mistake made by his opponent and throwing the hook. Here and there Kyrie willl measure a guy up on an iso, but what he does is an automatic response to what he’s been given by a defender. The game is slowing down for TT. The instinct is taking over.