Thompson won't let another chance slip with Cavs
With the Cleveland Cavaliers facing elimination for the second straight year against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Tristan Thompson will not take another opportunity at a championship for granted.
Slowly approaching the same Game 6 once more on the same exact date at the same exact venue in front of the same fans at Quicken Loans Arena, Thompson has learned that the miniscule aspects of the game are tantamount to the numbers in the box score.
“Well I knew coming in to my first Finals—every possession counts,” Thompson said at shootaround Thursday morning. “You need everybody to be a star in their role and do that at a high level.
“Really just pay attention to details because every little possession or loose ball, 50-50 balls—that can all affect the game and really change the dynamic of the series.”
Citing a few seasons back when the Cavs were coming off of a 24-58 campaign, the fifth-year forward understands the privilege of playing basketball in the month of June.
“Shoot,” Thompson said to himself when asked about his excitement to be a part of it. “It’s Game 6 of the NBA Finals. [There’s] not much more to say.
“I remember the days when, this time three years ago, I was back in here [Cleveland Clinic Courts] working out and getting ready for the draft. Times changed, times went on and that big fella over there [LeBron James] has definitely been a big part of it.”
A complete turn around that saw Cleveland make it the Finals last year was remarkable, but one opponent stood in the way.
Now appearing in back-to-back championship series and staring the season’s potential end square in the eyes, the identical obstacle has presented itself to the Cavs.
But that immense pressure has brought out the best in this team all year long, regular season and in the playoffs, and Thompson knows it.
“We accept the challenge,” he said. “It just gives us an extra little boost, an extra kick start to our game.”
For the Cavs and Thompson, there’s no more looking back at missed opportunities or underwhelming efforts. They can only look ahead, because it’s win or stay home. Period.
“We put ourselves in this situation,” he said. “It’s the most important game. It’s do or die, our back’s against the wall and we’ve got to come out ready to play.”
