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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 players looking to prove something in 2018

By Jacob Linkous

DENVER - NOVEMBER 16: A detail photo of the ball as it falls through the rim as the Denver Nuggets face the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center on November 16, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 120-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER - NOVEMBER 16: A detail photo of the ball as it falls through the rim as the Denver Nuggets face the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center on November 16, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 120-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson makes this list for one reason, career revival. With James leaving, Tristan Thompson can really show he deserved the contract that he signed in the summer of 2016.

While Thompson hasn’t given fans any indication of a major breakout season, without James now, maybe his game could expand. James seemed to slow down the offense and that wasn’t something that benefitted Thompson.

The media is continually speaking on how players benefit from playing with James. However, Thompson’s skill set does not fit in with that claim. In a way, you can look at Thompson’s numbers and see that he suffered in terms of offense.

In the two years before James’ arrival, Thompson had career highs in scoring and rebounding. The Texas product saw his numbers dip in almost every statistic once James took the team over.

Since the 2013-2014 season, Thompson hasn’t seen his scoring average in the double digits and hasn’t reached his career high in rebounds either, 9.4. While you can figure out that Kevin Love is a reason for the dip, you can also attribute the arrival of more talent overall.

Thompson has shown that he can rebound the ball with the best in the league. One thing he hasn’t shown is any skill on the offensive side of the ball. Thompson switched shooting hands in 2013 but that didn’t solve his shooting woes.

Thompson had proved he belonged in the league but has fallen on hard times lately. Expect Thompson to make the best of this reloading time period for the Cavs. You can expect the ball to move around a little more and there isn’t a clear-cut number one option on every possession.

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