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Cleveland Cavaliers: What’s Wrong With Tristan Thompson?

By Nick Dudukovich

Feb 14, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson are struggling. What’s up with the big man? Is girlfriend Khloe Kardashian to blame?

The Cleveland Cavaliers couldn’t stop a toddler from stealing a cookie from the cookie car. Defense? It’s just a rumor in Cavs Country these days. Maybe the Cavs have a lack of motivation.

They’re going to win the East–I think. Perhaps the team figures it can just outscore everyone, and that will be good enough until the playoffs begin, and LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and company can flip the switch, much like like the 2001 Lakers did–the last team to win the title without being ranked among the top 10 in defensive efficiency? 

Right now, Cavs fans have no choice but to give their team the benefit of the doubt. They’re the defending champs. LeBron is still the best player in the world. Everyone is finally starting to get healthy.

If you subscribe to that train of though, then you’ve got to take the same approach to Tristan Thompson, who’s playing his worst basketball in two years.

Khloe Kardashian’s fault? It’s certainly the easy thing to say, but behind closed doors, who really knows what happens in their relationship.

With that said, Harden’s recent comments regarding the reality TV star won’t leave Tristan’s fans hoping for the best (Harden dumped Kardashian, and now he’s the favorite to win the MVP), via the Washington Post.

"“I didn’t like all the attention [dating Kardashian commanded],” Harden says. “I feel like it was for no reason. I wasn’t getting anything out of it except my name out there and my face out there, and I don’t need that. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t me. I don’t need pictures of myself when I’m driving my car. Who cares? What shoes am I wearing? Who cares? Where am I eating? Who cares? It was unnecessary stuff that I think trickled down to my teammates. I had to eliminate that.”"

All we really know about Tristan is that he’s not playing well. Can he, like the Cavs defense, flip the switch once the postseason begins? His ability to clean the offensive glass, bring energy and generate second-chance opportunities is the reason Dan Gilbert gave him a five-year, $82 million contract.

Here’s why you’re probably worried.

Thompson’s plus/minus number through March 25 March (16 games) is -6.1! It’s the first time Thompson’s plus/minus has been in the negative since the 2014-2015 season (-0.7).

He’s a better offensive rebounder than he is defensively, but that doesn’t mean he can disappear on the defensive glass. Here’s Thompson’s defensive rebounding averages: October, 6.3; November, 6.8, December, 6.0; January 5.5, February, 5.6; March 4.2.

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Thompson was averaging 6.0 defensive rebounds per game before the All-Star break, and 4.6 after.

His  offensive rebounding stats haven’t been seen any dramatic dips. Here’s his monthly breakdown. Thompson averaged 3.7 offensive boards before the break, and 3.6 after. Here’s his monthly breakdown: October 3.0; November 3.2; December, 4.1: January, 3.3; February, 4.5, and March, 3.6.

His drop off of production may be a microcosm of the entire Cavs team right now. The energy just isn’t there.

ESPN writer Brian Windhorst was recently asked about Thompson’s struggles on his “Hey, Windy” Podcasts, which airs on ESPN Cleveland. Windy was asked by a caller if Kardashian was the reason Thompson was struggling.

Windy couldn’t answer that, but he did bring to light Thompson’s struggles.

"“He’s basically there because he’s an energy player and a rebounder I don’t really care about his scoring. If he gets three baskets a game, I don’t really care, but he’s got to bring energy. That’s why he’s in the NBA. And that energy level has been down recently. He’s not had a good second half of the season.”"

Like his fellow teammates, Thompson’s got three weeks to work out all the kinks and Cavs fans really have no choice but to assume he’s going to pull through.

Next: MVP Race: How LeBron Stacks Up Against Russ And The Beard

The last two years, Thompson’s made a name for himself in the playoffs. He’s more valuable in the postseason than the regular season, and because of his past successes, he should be afforded the chance to turn his lousy second half around come April.

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