The Cavaliers draft Tristan Thompson
2011-06-23
The Cavs passed on Jonas Valanciunas and drafted Tristan Thompson. Here is our draft profile on Tristan Thompson. I do not like this pick.
Fresh Since 2009.
Fresh Since 2009.
The Cavs passed on Jonas Valanciunas and drafted Tristan Thompson. Here is our draft profile on Tristan Thompson. I do not like this pick.
Yeah, you got to see how this all plays out. Admittedly, our track record isn’t great, but some moves will be made. There’s also no guarantee that Irving is going to be any good. He played 11 games so how do we know he is a “sure thing”. Winners and losers aren’t determined until a year or two down the road at the earliest. Thompson and Irving are being graded on a small sample size. And who was Thompson gonna traded for: JV and then a later pick that would have been Klay Thompson, Burks, or a Morris twin. Not… Read more »
Chucky, Chad Ford said this morning the Cavs were trying to get an extra pick to end up with both Thompson and JV (in addition to Irving).
They couldn’t land an extra pick, so they had to choose between the two.
This doesn’t “set us back a few years” in the rebuilding process. If we can move some of our assets for a pretty good center and some picks in next years lottery, we’ll be fine. There’s still a chance we trade for one of the big guys on the market. We’re not going to fire Grant, this is the guys first draft. We may have have taken a less than ideal pick at four but we got the real prize. You guys are arguing over who gets the better tablescraps, who cares. Taking Big V wouldn’t have set us back,… Read more »
The hard cap argument makes no sense because JJ’s “new” contract would be under the new hard cap. There’s no guarantee that V is an all star, but at least he gets playing time. Thompson is 4th string! Tristan Thompson is one of these guys that Hollinger’s rating system favors: forwards who get lots of blocks and rebounds and have high fg% because they never take a shot more than 3 feet from the basket. Greg Oden’s PER is always good because he rebounds and blocks shots, but PER doesn’t take into account the fact he can’t stay on the… Read more »
it is that bad, as for the cold water, the reason we were debating tthompsn at 4 was tooo TRADE
GRANT GOT F’D, WORSE NIGHT THEN THE DECISION
How do you fire Grant? And just how do we know he was hosed on a trade? This draft is an unknown no matter who is drafted and rebuilding is a slow process so if it takes Thompson time to develop then so be it. There is no guarantee that JV is gonna be an all-star either and at least Thompson can learn under the coaching staff unlike JV. This is gonna take years to fix, not one draft. Come on…it ain’t that bad.
Some cold water for the notion that Thompson was an accidental pick made for a trade that fell through: Chad Ford reported this morning that the Cavs were deciding between Thompson and Big V at No. 4.
I do not understand why Grant didn’t just take Jonas at #4. Just take Jonas at #4 and then Toronto would not have hosed us. He got too cute with the drafting and this hurts.
Given the weakness of this draft I think there are two ways you can go. Either reach for a longshot in the hopes that they will surprise you and become a star, or accept that you’re getting a lesser players and try and find someone who can be a solid role player. Thompson seems like the second strategy, and I’m fine with that. The Cavs were impressed by is work ethic and maturity, and I can see them moving on from JJ if he doesn’t improve.
sorry dude, but none and I mean none of those guys are coming to the cavs. tristan thompson was meant to go to another team for us to get Jonas and a later pick. grant proved to be amateur on draft night’
the tpe has been wasted as well
fire his as asap
this is the worst draft professional team has ever had
It wasn’t the ideal pick, but it probably was a bit of Toronto hosing us, and also a bit of future planning for the rise of the hard cap in the NBA. Honestly, for those of you insulting the pick, yeah make your jokes, we’ve now got JJ, Andy, Jamison, the TPE, Baron Davis, Ramon Sessions, and two second round picks next season as moveable assets. Realistically one of either Igoudala, Granger, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis could be coming to Cleveland. Then we snag Rivers or Barnes (depending on which player lands with us next season). One thing… Read more »
would love to be optimistic BUT IT IS CLEAR Grant got hosed on a potential trade. we essentially blew the gift the nba handed us. from 60 wins to the twolves in 2 years. this team is irrelevant and grant should be fired
I dont know if I can root for my favorite team anymore
Think this guys one good offensive skill is getting fouled, and then shooting 48% at the line when he does. He’s a decent rebounder and shot blocker, but not good enough to take #4. We picked up a pre knee injury Josh Powell.
Grant at least deserves the benefit of the doubt unless & until proven wrong. Although when I saw that JV was right behind TT in the Hollinger ratings, though, some of that reassurance was lost. If these guys are close to even in terms of upside, in general taking the 7-footer seems like the way to go when there’s no potential franchise center on the roster. Is waiting one year for a buyout to happen really that much of a sacrifice when you’re not expecting to contend anytime soon? We’ll see. And . . . wait for it . .… Read more »
Chris Singleton would have been a better pick than Thompson if we were going for defense. Singleton is the same height/wingspan and essentially same stats (except Singleton shot 36% from 3… Thompson didn’t take any).
Except that Singleton can defend 4 positions, has a jumper with potential and was the unquestioned heart and soul of his team.
Tristan wasn’t a name commonly talked about this high. But, Hollinger ranked him as the 3rd best player in the draft (after Irving and Williams) and Ford ranked him #6. So taking him @4 when Irving, Williams and Kanter were gone – and not taking JV because the buyout. You could make the argument they took the best player available. Yes, there are other players I would have liked to see us pick, mainly a SF like ‘the other JV’, but I had confidence in Grant before this draft so I’m going to keep that trust and see what he… Read more »
Whenever the next season starts, it’s pretty clear Samuels will not be on the 15-man roster at all (no great loss there), and either Hickson or Jamison (preferably Jamison, but probably Hickson) will have been traded. And Varejao’s going to have to suck it up and play center at least one more year. So the short-term logjam’s not as great as it appears now. Long-term, Bob’s comment seems on point that the Cavs have decided against giving a big contract extension to Hickson; and if they’ve concluded his jumper, defense and mental focus aren’t likely to improve much more over… Read more »
The good news is we now have enough bodies for “Power Forward Giveaway Night” at the Q.
Alright so Grant is like Kahn except with powerforwards. Thats just great
can we all just agree that this drafting pattern means hickson or varejao (at least one of them) are not in our long term plans. and in that case spending the 4 on a pf is understandable with how thin and injury prone our frontcourt was.
WTF. ANOTHER PF.
Actually really like Justin Harper. He’s kind of a sleeper and a poor man’s Derrick Williams, and hey, we have 6 power forwards now!
@Carter 1.) Maybe not. But he won’t be demading 10 plus million a hard cap league, and he wasn’t in a draft that was as deep as JJ’s. (Rose, Westbrook, Love, Gordon, Lopez) 2.) I’d be willing to bet Thompson will have contributed more in 3 years then Jonas. One because Jonas won’t be here this year. And two, because he’s too light still to not be a defensive liability against the best centers. Maybe in 10 years Jonas is the clear better player. Maybe. But in three, I like my chances with Thompson’s contributions on the floor outweighing Jonas.… Read more »
He is a LeBron stopper!!
Sooo… Who to take at 32? Jeremy Tyler?
I would like to know a few things from the mind of Christ Grant.
1. Does he think that Thompson will be better than JJ Hickson in 3 years?
2. Does he think Thompson will be better than Jonas in 3 years?
3. Is Thompson really a rotation player on a championship team? I say no.
Plus, it just occured to me that I think Byron Scott is not a big JJ fan. I bet he saw more hunger and drive in Thompson in a few workouts then he saw all season from JJ. Just a thought…
They didn’t draft someone they don’t need. We have JJ and Andy (and they also happen to be our two most movable guys). Giving Hollins major minutes was an abomination. Thompson has an immediate place in a rotation, with the chance to step in and take over if we move either guy. It at least gives us a little more peace of mind if we ship out Andy to someone who can take advantage of his intangibles while he’s in his prime. I’d ask most of you who are killing this pick this. Ruling out foreigners, who we all know… Read more »
Unless any of you are NBA scouts or have similar credentials please stfu until you at least see the guy play. Anyone see our defense last year? Horrendous. This kid is young and we obviously won’t be contending next year and the draft is stacked. Maybe see him play first before judging…especially when you are crying for international players in lieu of him (because they have had such a good track record…not)
Thompson won them over by going toe to toe with Williams in workouts. Plus he held them to 4-14 shooting in the NCAA Tourney. Hollinger had him rated the #3 overall pick in the draft and Seth Davis said he has a “motor” on defense. Can’t argue with that. Plus, rightfully so, Krolik preaches defense, defense, defense…Well, that’s Thompson’s specialty. Grant and Co. have seen these guys play and probably knows more than us. However, the JJ similarities are there so not sure what to make of that. It would be great if Jamison could also be moved but who… Read more »
What are the odds we take another point guard at 32?
I like numbers and evidence, so if the stats guys can support it, so can I. I’m certainly not convinced any other pick was heads and tails better. It’s great to say “take a franchise center,” but I don’t see any sure things out there…
Take a look at the comparable players who rated like Thompson over the past 10 years, I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.
It doesn’t really matter whether he ends up being a decent Player or not. The cavs drafted someone they don’t need. Therefore wasting the 4th pick. Can’t be happy as a cavs fan right now
wow Thompson at 4 is just awful. At least it’s better than what Minnesota did.
Please fans, none of you have ever seen this guy play or any of the other players available play since they were all international players. Thompson was in for two workouts, so they see something in him. Its a week draft, there is no stars – so best to get a depth style player with some toughness inside.
Relax and give the kid a chance.
Ugh. Monster pickup for the Celtics getting Marshon Brooks, a potential lottery pick at 25. He should be able to back up the 3 and 4 right away. Danny Ainge has to be ecstatic.
Passing on a franchise center for yet another undersized power forward. Nicee
I keep hoping for a trade… but it’s not looking good.
@ Bob
But he was a pick at 19.
This is the 4th pick.
We could have gotten a much better guy here. JJ was a sleeper and was a nice pick at 19 but we should have gotten a better guy with the 4th pick. Cavs did take a step back with the rebuilding process. I dont see this guy having any benifits for the Cavs unless he is used in a trade.
This is the type of picks the Browns repeatedly make because they try to overstep their pay grade and make the highlight pick instead of going with conventional wisdom.
You always pick a franchise center over an under-sized power forward. Always!
@HoopsDogg. Just wait until you see that we could have had JaJuan Johnson with our next pick (in the 30s!)… a guy with more upside than Thomspon.
I mean I’m no more certain he’ll be good then most here seem to be that he’ll be bad, but I’ll just point out how pissed people were with JJ Hickson being taken a few years ago. NOBODY had him going 19. And just some of the names people wanted ahead of him (speaking vast majority here)…. Kosta Koufus Ryan Anderson Darrell Arthur Donte Greene Chris Douglas Roberts Deandre Jordan Courtney Lee But guess what it worked out. And what did we know about him then. We knew he was a competent post up big who couldn’t foul shoot and… Read more »
I keep seeing guys drafted in the teens and now 20s that I’d rather have than Tristan Thompson.
Poor Tristan Thompson. If he doesn’t turn into an All-Star, I will hate him forever. This is what happens when you get too cute with your picks.
My money’s with HoopsDogg–what do they call them in Canada? The Raptors are hosers for what they did. For all we know, this is their hate for us taking Thompson (a Canadian) before they could.
To those thinking that Thompson’s selection means we will not be competitive this year, why not reaally reach and draft guys whop aren’t even draft eligible?
Unless Toronto just hung us out to dry on a potential trade (which is a big possibility), this screams at me that Dan Gilbert influenced this pick. I’m still kicking my dog, bitch deserved it.
Bob … I’ll definitely give the guy a chance, but it’s just a big head scratcher. We already have 3 guys that can play PF, one being a project. And we draft … another project PF. The Irving pick at least makes sense, because he’s a big upgrade over everyone else at that position.
Well as far as worthy starters … we now have 4 PGs and 4 PFs … and 3 holes. Going into the draft, I had talked myself into Jonas, but was hoping for Kanter. I just didn’t want the Cavs to overthink themselves and reach … which is promptly what they did.
there’s such outrage, and we haven’t even seen this guy on the floor yet. it’s laughable. i get it. krolik loves the idea that V could be so much more. But nobody knows. If Thompson did great in workouts against Kanter and Williams, and considering what he did against Williams in the tourney, I’m willing to give Grant the benefit of the doubt that measurables aren’t the only relevant consideration. Let’s be realistic. He plays the same position as JJ. He may be our replacement plan, and if we’re considering not paying JJ what he wants and letting him walk,… Read more »
how about this:
thomson, sessions, 2nd round pick for valancious
After all the griping on this blog, and virtually everywhere, about the combined defense of Jamison and JJ, I hope this means the cabs have some sort of big trade, pairing him with sessions. I think Grant has his head on straight, but I think the raptors hamstrung his idea
irvings gonna get 0 assists this season with no one to pass to
Cooley I’m with you man, this is just ridiculous.
Here’s to hoping I’m completely wrong.
Oh well at least we got Irving
This is the type of pick that, if not traded, could set the Cavs back years in rebuilding. There is no way/shape/form Tristan Thompson should have been in the discussion @ #4 unless we were going to trade him. I’m still seething, cursing, and kicking my dog almost an hour later.
This draft sucked, but Grant could have thrown a dart with his eyes closed at 8 other players and had a more intelligent pick.
maybe they could trade thompson and sessions/davis for burks and kanter?
Sports Guy always talks about how teams need a VP of commons sense. This pick is prime example. If they’re getting a guy with no offensive ability, why not go crazy and get Biyambo? I’m betting they were picking this to trade back to Charlotte, and Toronto hosed them.
hes going to be the fifth string pf:
behind hickson, verajeo, jamison, and sameuls
Chris Grant to David Stern: “Did we say Tristan? We meant KLAY Thompson. Our bad!”
This doesn’t make me like the pick any better, but FWIW, Woj tweets:
Thompson played Derrick Williams to stand-still in workouts and won Cavs over.
Man I’m hoping a trade is in the making.
This is either a trade in the making or a pick driven by the stat geeks.
I sure hope Grant didn’t outsmart himself here. A player whose only offense is putbacks and being active around the hole is not what they need to go along with Varejao.
Booooooooo horrible pick! Please trade!
Grant better be fired. This is ridiculous.
If they plan on keeping him why not go for Williams and Walker/Knight?
Irving and Thompson is a 7 while Williams and Walker/Knight is a 8.5 imo.
Wtf wtf wtf!!!
this pick sucks
God I hope they’re trading this. This pick makes zero sense for the Cavs.
This is the pick that will decide Grants future as the Cavs GM…
I’m hoping he saw something nobody else did, cuz Thompson should have never been the 4th pick on any draft.
Fail. Why do we need the defensive version of JJ?