Links to the Present: December 6, 2011
2011-12-06
Lots of Tristan Thompson-related articles today:
“Adding to [the pressure] for Thompson is the fact the Cavs traded J.J. Hickson, last season’s starting power forward. Hickson was shipped to Sacramento for small forward Omri Casspi just before the lockout, potentially freeing some minutes for Thompson. Still, Thompson didn’t appear to be nervous after a workout at the team’s practice facility Monday. The workout also included Casspi, Samardo Samuels and Luke Harangody.” [Sam Amico]
“The Cavaliers rookie took an introductory broadcasting course, learned about U.S. government, delved into African-American studies and got schooled in defending Tim Duncan on the low block. Actually, the last item isn’t offered at UT. It was more of an extra-credit project in San Antonio.” [Tom Reed]
“Thompson is a communications major who has dreams of a studio analyst job with ESPN or TNT after his playing days. He took four classes this fall (government, a speech/broadcasting class and two African-American studies courses) and completed two final exams early so he could fly to Cleveland over the weekend and begin his career. He has two more final exams he must e-mail back to the professors.” [Jason Lloyd]
“The Cavs decided to select Thompson instead of Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who was forced to play overseas this season. ‘Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,’ Thompson said at Cleveland Clinic Courts on Monday. ‘Some people were glad they picked me, and some wanted them to take the Lithuanian kid. I’ll just come in and play my game and win their hearts.'” [Bob Finnan]
“I was working out two times a day and also going up to San Antonio and working out with Tim Duncan and the Spurs guys in town. It was a great experience – guarding Tim Duncan. He’s a Hall of Famer. Plus, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It gave me a good taste of what the NBA is about.” [Tristan Thompson via Project Spurs]
And the Cavs have decided to hire the Thunder’s D-League coach as an assistant:
“The Cavaliers have dipped into that organization’s development system for their newest assistant coach. They named Nate Tibbetts — the Thunder’s D-League coach the past two seasons — as a low-level assistant on Monday. The hiring highlighted several moves coach Byron Scott made to his staff.” [Tom Reed]
On the Twitters
“Say this for the #Cavs rooks they didn’t bail on school the moment the lockout ended.” [PDCavsInsider]
“Last two days of class coming up and then I’m off to Cleveland…yessir!!! We gon do it.” [Kyrie Irving]
Jamison was a disgrace of defensive incompetence, it’s true. That being said I like the idea of us keeping him around for a bit. Does anyone know if there will be a trade deadline in feb? The reason I like keeping him around is his attitude has changed. He recently, according to the PD (if you dont know what that is you can get lost) said he would like to mentor TT, and doesn’t mind coming off the bench behind Thompson. You couldn’t ask for a better situation for our two lottery picks than being mentored by Baron and Antawn.… Read more »
If blow by’s were a stat jamison would have lead the league last year… wait, you have to technically be in the vicinity for them to blow “by” you.
@ the Nupe, Jamison was probably the WORST player on the team last year. All he did was throw up crazy shots and stand around on defense. I literally can’t say this enough, he was THE worst defender in the NBA last year. He made Steve Nash look like Garnett level stalwart of defense. Not only was that a detriment to the scoreboard, but it was a detriment to all the young players on the team to have the supposed leader showing no effort. Seriously, screw Antawn Jamison. Just because he speaks softly and is nice around the community doesn’t… Read more »
Yeah, not many centers shoot 88% from the line.
“doesn’t have bricks for hands…” You can’t play PF in the NBA with bad hands.
I agree with the Varejao > Hickson sentiment above. And after watching some video of Tristan’s game, I don’t really see much difference between him and Hickson’s skill set to be completely honest. Except that he’s about 3 years younger and doesn’t have bricks for hands. If he can develop a consistent 15 foot jumper in the next 3 years, then he’s an improvement over Hickson by the same point in their development. Add into that the character concerns and it seems like this is an improvement if Tristan works on his game and improves. My only concern about the… Read more »
Hickson best player on Cavs last season? I mean I just don’t know how much that is saying.
I’d say Varejao is/was the best player on the Cavs. Top 5 defensive player in the NBA.
Baron Davis played really well last year though. I was pleasantly surprised.
It was clear JJ was never going to be a franchise PF…Tristan has a good shot at it. End of discussion.
Schedule can be found at http://espn.go.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/cle/seasontype/2/cleveland-cavaliers
Easy first several games, so hopefully the Cavs can start this season on the right foot.
@HoopsDogg: The Cavs already have a bunch of young talent yet to develop – Manny, Eyenga, Gee, Samuels and Erden I would all put in this category. All athletic with potential, just not sure if any of them will pan out. Personally I like Manny and Gee, but it seems that Eyenga and his dunks is the favorite to really make it. IF we get a real center and put Andy back to PF, I don’t see much space for Samuels on the team. @Jon L and Chip P: I wouldin’t argue that Andy or JJ was the best player… Read more »
Hoping Tristan has been working on jumpers and post moves nonstop. I like his attitude and his positivity. I feel like the Cavs got two A Caliber character guys, and that’s what they need to build a team around. Now they need to be scouring the league for castoff young talent like Jason Smith, B.J. Mullins, and other young players who haven’t had a chance to develop yet, and are sitting at the end of teams’ benches.
Hickson has serious attitude problems. I am all for getting good talent but he wasn’t a good PF. He looked apt better because the rest of his team was struggling. Couple overachieving with an attitude of entitlement and the trade was a great move. I think when you are starting a long term rebuilding process you absolutely have to have guys with both talent and CHARACTER. Plus the cavs had been waiting two years already to see if Hickson could blossom. I think the cavs will be awful, that our rookies will learn a ton and start to gel by… Read more »
“I think it was a poor decision by the Cavs to trade their best player last season in Hickson.”
Cavs’ best player is Varejao.
I think it was a poor decision by the Cavs to trade their best player last season in Hickson. Tristan is not ready to just jump right into the NBA game. There is going to be a long transition period and who knows if he will even pan out. On the other hand, Hickson gets traded from a terrible team to a bad team….poor guy.
I’m glad that Tristan is in camp and really glad to hear that he’s been working out with the likes of Duncan, Durant and Westbrook. Getting some burn with these guys can only help him develop. I do wonder thought what it actually means to ‘workout’ with these guys. Did they have a trainer(s) take them through drills, did they just play games together, did Duncan actually sit down with him and help him with his game etc? It would be great for him if Duncan actually took some time to try to teach him the position and fundamentals. Similarly… Read more »