Tag: Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson practices with Celtics; return timetable still unclear

The Boston Celtics continue to edge back towards full health after Tristan Thompson was able to practice Saturday.

Newest Boston Celtic big man Tristan Thompson moved closer toward returning to action Saturday, participating in his first practice with the team since signing with the Celtics in the offseason.

Nursing a strained hamstring — a notoriously tricky and recurrent injury — Thompson was able to get in work with Boston ahead of the team’s season opener against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 23. The Canadian’s presence in practice evidently had an immediately discernible impact. “He did a lot of practice today, and you could tell our energy went to a different level,” offered head coach Brad Stevens.

The less-than-stellar effort demonstrated by Boston in its last preseason game, which bothered the veteran big man by his own admission, may have encouraged Thompson to push to get back to the floor,

“The wisdom I’ve learned from my past experience, to help give it to these guys whether it’s the good, bad or the ugly,” he suggested.

“At the end of the day, I want to help this team by the best we can be. I feel like my voice and what I’ve been through and what I see is going to challenge them. If I can light a fire under their ass to get them going and try to make everyone just one percent better, then I’ve done my job.”

The Texas product famously helped LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers come back from being down 3-1 in the 2016 NBA Finals, so he has the credentials to back up his talk.

Likely one of the reasons he appealed to the Celtics’ front office, Thompson will give Boston a much tougher identity when he’s on the court.

And while it might be a while until that happens — “That’s a training staff question. When they say I’m ready to go, I’m ready,” he answered when asked for a timetable — there’s still a chance it will be in time for the season debut.

[jwplayer yyMs441t-z6KDnl0B]

[lawrence-related id=44591,44584,44581,44567]

[listicle id=44587]

Tristan Thompson explains that pro-Celtics tweet from 10 years ago

The Canadian center provided some background on a recently-resurfaced tweet of Thompson rooting for Boston a decade ago.

Newest Boston Celtics center Tristan Thompson recently saw a tweet he posted in high school come back to light after joining the team he had been tweeting about after a workout a decade ago, with the former Cleveland Cavalier posting his support for a Kevin Garnett-led Celtics squad in the 2010 NBA Finals.

Little did young Tristan know that ten years later, he would be preparing to suit up for that very franchise himself. A topic of interest in a recent exclusive interview by NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg on the “Celtics Talk” podcast, the pair discussed where that sentiment was coming from as a high school NCAA prospect.

“I was actually a KG fan,” Thompson explained. “I’ve always been a KG fan growing up.”

“KG in the finals, I was definitely rooting for the Celtics, because a lot of Big Ticket, everything he brings to the table and what he brought to the city of Boston I love, so it’s crazy that that tweet came back around. I forgot I even tweeted that, so it’s crazy.”

“Everything just works out you know?” he added.

The Canadian center will have a shot to being his own version of that trademark intensity brought on a nightly basis by the Big Ticket himself, albeit in his own way and style of play.

And while few may truly fill the shoes of such an NBA giant as Garnett, Celtics fans are more than excited to see the Texas product put his own stamp on the team’s frontcourt this season, due to begin on Dec. 23.

[jwplayer U1kverll]

[lawrence-related id=44224,44027,43984,43903]

[listicle id=44174]

Tristan Thompson says Boston is ideal for his skillset, Celtic guards

Tristan Thompson believes his defense is a perfect fit for what the Celtics’ guard play requires.

It’s always a challenge to adapt to a new team, but for new Boston Celtics big man Tristan Thompson, it’s almost like the team prepared a role for him well before his arrival. While the big-man-by-committee approach worked fairly well when center Daniel Theis played well and the opposing big man less than one of the league’s mobile behemoths, things worked well. But there was still something left to be desired in terms of some heft at that five as well.

Speaking with team reporter Mark D’Amico earlier this week about how the veteran center thinks his skillset complements the existing players in Boston, the Texas product shared at length.

“I think they compliment a lot, especially with with the guards we have,” he explained.

“These guards, they attract so much on the offensive end. So for me, it’s really simple, you set a good screen and race to the rim. I’m going to make sure I set a good screen to get the two-on-one action. So, myself and the guard, whoever comes up to pick and roll, it’s going to be a really simple, easy read. And I think what I do great, which is rolling hard to the rim and create opportunities for my teammates or for myself, I think it’s picture-perfect here with these great guards.”

In a lot of ways, Thompson’s experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers was a template for what Boston would need from a big man, and the Canadian isn’t shy about pointing that out.

“I’ve played with other amazing guards with like Kyrie [Irving] and [LeBron James] where my job was very simple, and you’ll eat off that,” he offered.

“I think defensively, this team was fourth in defense, and in terms of  playing center position, it was a little thin for them. So, for me to come in and be a big body, and a physical body having that defensive mindset, we’re where we take a personal and I take a personal where I want to lock this guy up and make his life a living hell.”

“I think it plays hand-in-hand with me and [Marcus] Smart on the court together,” said Thompson, making a connection with the heart and soul of Boston’s defense.

It’s a solid comparison, because both take defending to heart in ways it will only inspire more high-energy, high-effort play from their teammates.

And if the Celtics truly want to get out of the East and break through to the finals, this is exactly the kind of play and leadership they will need to do it.

[jwplayer U1kverll]

[lawrence-related id=44027,43984,43903,43881]

[listicle id=44163]

Tristan Thompson showed his support for KG’s Celtics on Twitter in 2010

The Canadian center was following the team even before he joined the Texas Longhorns.

It seems newest Boston Celtics big man Tristan Thompson has had his eye on the team for awhile.

An old tweet of the former Cleveland Cavalier resurfaced of the NBA champion center talking about watching the team hang Banner 18 while he was still preparing to join the University of Texas Longhorns in the summer of 2010.

Still more than a year removed from being drafted by the team where he would spend his entire career in the league before joining the Celtics, the Toronto native shared his thoughts on how Boston’s Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers was going to go.

“Finish working out, gonna rest until I watch my Celtics be crowned [their] 18th NBA Championship,” tweeted a younger version of Thompson.

Evidently the man was serious when he said he’s been watching a lot of Celtics games in his introductory press conference earlier in the week.

While we all have the benefit of hindsight behind us to know that is not what happened for the Celtics that night unfortunately, but flash forward a decade, and the Canadian may well be precisely what the doctor ordered to help his Celtics finally seal the deal on Banner 18.

[jwplayer gGabj0xN]

[lawrence-related id=44004,43951,43944,43914]

[listicle id=43879]

Deep runs vs Cavs in the past sold Tristan Thompson on Celtics’ future

The young core of the team pushing Cleveland to the brink would pay dividends years later in free agency.

If they can get over his ties to longtime foe LeBron James, Boston Celtics fans are going to enjoy Tristan Thompson on their team with the sort of professionalism and gritty defense he’ll bring to the team — two qualities LeBron ironically helped Thompson hone.

Brought on to carry with him some of his veteran experience in deep playoff runs with his former Cleveland Cavaliers, much of that experience came alongside James and in many ways is a product of his leadership.

In that sense, it would be foolish to reject what Thompson can bring to the team, though there will undoubtedly be fans who can’t see past their green-tinted lenses.

“I think with my experience and who I’ve been around, playing with LeBron and learning day in and day out what he puts in and how he punches the clock,” shared the Canadian big man on what he brings to the team in his inaugural presser with the Celtics.

And while fans may cringe when they hear him correct the media when it is suggest he played with one of the greatest to play the game (“THE greatest player”, Thompson interjected with a wink), the veteran center chose Boston because of its future, not its — or his — past.

“For this team, what really attracted me to the Celtics was how young and talented these guys are,” explained Thompson.

“Jaylen [Brown], Jayson [Tatum], even [Marcus] Smart, how young they are, how talented they are at a young age. I always remember when Kyrie [Irving] and Gordon [Hayward] were out, and you had Terry [Rozier] and you had all these young guys. you had Tatum he was a rookie, you had [Brown] — he was in his second year, third year, I can’t remember — and then Smart, very similar [in his] third or fourth year.”

“For them to take us to a Game 7, that’s a promising ball club,” he added, referencing the team pushing the Cavs to the brink of the NBA Finals in 2018.

Celtics fans may well forget about Thompson’s deep roots playing with a player who has negatively impacted their favorite team’s win totals perhaps more than any other player in the last decade when the wins roll in on this iteration of the Celtics.

And with the switchable, burlier brand of defense he himself compares to Smart’s — but “at the big position,” — those among us still struggling with the Toronto native’s past ought to find plenty of reasons to change their views in a hurry.

[jwplayer sMXj0ZKG]

[lawrence-related id=43903,43881,43650,28723]

[listicle id=43879]

Stevens: Thompson a ‘threat at the rim;’ Teague will be ‘impactful’

The Boston Celtics head coach shared some thoughts about the team’s two new veterans Tuesday.

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens spoke to the media regarding the team’s offseason on Tuesday, and spent several minutes discussing the team’s two veteran signings in free agency, center Tristan Thompson and and point guard Jeff Teague.

The duo will bolster the team’s roster at two positions of need, shoring up the rotation with players who possess playoff experience in abundance and bring a high degree of professionalism to the team for its younger prospects to learn from both on and off the court.

The former Cavalier also brings a very different look on the court than the team has had for some time.

“I think first and foremost, [Thompson is] such a threat at the rim,” explained Stevens.

“I talked to him a little bit yesterday about being able to get to the rim off the actions quickly, because if he doesn’t get it off the initial action in the post, you can certainly get it off the glass. He’s a tremendous offensive rebounder, he plays very physical on offense, he’s good with dribble handoffs, he’s good with fakes.”

“I think that he’ll continue to improve in those areas,” added the Celtics coach.

Stevens believes the existing talent on the roster makes for a good fit on offense, as well, with the team’s young stars fitting well with the Canadian big man.

“I hope that our wings, with all the attention they draw, that’ll open up opportunities for him as well,” suggested the coach.

“I think on the other end, he is that versatile, big defender, where you can play a traditional defense, or you can be more aggressive, or you can switch, and he just gives you a lot of options, great physicality. The combination of lateral mobility, strength, and motor gives him a chance to guard a lot of a lot of people, so we thought that it was important to add to our team.”

“We think he complements our guys well, and we’re excited he’s here,” added Stevens.

The one-time Butler head coach had plenty to say about a point guard he tried quite hard to land when he was still an NCAA coach — Jeff Teague.

“I think he could be really important, but I think that’s not just early in the season, but all the way through,” offered Stevens. “I think that Jeff puts pressure on the defense in transition and get to where he wants to go on offense, and he can pressure the ball defensively.”

“It fits in with everything we need on our team and how we play, especially continuing to be fairly small,” suggested the Indiana native.

“I think that ultimately he will, without a doubt, be impactful,” said Stevens of Teague’s likely role with the team. “It’s great to have him here.”

“It says a lot about him that he would sign the deal to come here because he wants to help us win and and I’m very appreciative of that. He’s a heck of a player and we’ll see how it all fits together again after practice, but we’re glad he’s here.”

A few short months after a season ended prematurely due to a lack of veteran presence and bench scoring — something Teague checks off as a player — it’s likely safe to say that’s a popular position with the rest of the team, too.

[jwplayer 6Av5bIan]

[lawrence-related id=43903,43881,43825,43659]

[listicle id=43879]

WATCH: What can Tristan Thompson bring to the Boston Celtics?

Check out how we can expect the veteran big man to be used with the Celtics in this video.

The Boston Celtics leveled up their frontcourt rotation in the offseason with the signing of champion veteran big man Tristan Thompson in free agency, with the former Cleveland Cavaliers center inking a deal worth a little more than $19 million over the next two seasons.

A switchable defender able to pull down boards at a high clip and provide near-basket offense while sacrificing little on the defensive end of the ball, the Canadian vet has loads of playoff experience against some of the toughest teams the league has ever produced.

With the sort of skilled interior toughness the team has lacked for years under contract, Boston should match up with some of the bigger rosters in the East better.

And gives up little versus smaller teams when the Texas product is on the floor.

Watch the video assembled by Tomasz Kordelewski embedded above to get the full picture of how Thompson will fit into this iteration of the Celtics, and get hyped up for his Boston debut in two weeks.

[jwplayer 6Av5bIan]

[lawrence-related id=43899,43896,43890,43885]

[listicle id=43879]

Celtics formally announce Tristan Thompson, Jeff Teague signings

The Boston Celtics made it official with their two newest signings.

With their traded-player exception secured and the Gordon Hayward free agency saga behind them, the Boston Celtics were able to turn their attention to other important offseason matters, chief among them signing big man Tristan Thompson and point guard Jeff Teague.

The duo had been in a holding pattern while the Hayward situation was resolved, Thompson’s full mid-level exception deal fo about $9.3 million inaccessible until the Butler product was off the team’s books for certain.

The Celtics circulated a press release to the media regarding the signings being made official on Monday afternoon once that process had played itself out.

Noting the statistical production of each player, the release also noted that Thompson will wear his usual No. 13, while Teague will don jersey No. 55 as a Celtic.

The duo are clear upgrades over former Celtics Enes Kanter and Brad Wanamaker after the former was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers and the latter signed a deal in free agency with the Golden State Warriors.

[jwplayer F9itkV1J]

[lawrence-related id=43650,28723,43825,43659]

[listicle id=43879]

Tristan Thompson agrees to two-year deal with Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have landed the long-time Cleveland Cavaliers big man in free agency, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It looked for a moment that the Los Angeles Lakers would be in the mix for Tristan Thompson but the longtime Cavaliers center has decided to sign with the franchise’s historic rival instead.

Tristan Thompson has agreed to a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics worth $19 million, according to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes. The Celtics traded center Enes Kanter in free agency and were in desperate need of an upgrade in the middle after Miami’s Bam Adebayo ran roughshod over them in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thompson’s offensive rebounding and ability as a lob threat, combined with his defensive prowess, make him an ideal addition to the Eastern Conference Finalists.

After having drinks with LeBron James during the offseason, it seemed like Thompson would join the Lakers but with the Lakers adding Montrezl Harrell, he wouldn’t have much of a role with the defending champs. With the Celtics, he provides much-needed offensive rebounding, athleticism, and competent defense as they hope to once again move ahead of the Lakers in the all-time championships chase.

[lawrence-related id=35973,35935]

 

Report: Boston Celtics sign free agent center Tristan Thompson

The Celtics pivot from Gordon Hayward to former Cleveland Cavalier big man Tristan Thompson.

The Boston Celtics have reportedly signed free agent center Tristan Thompson, according to Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes.

The 29-year old big man will leave his former home with the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Celtics for what The Athletic’s Jared Weiss reports to be the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $9.2 million made available by veteran forward Gordon Hayward’s departure to the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the day.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic adds that the deal with run for two seasons.

While a little shorter in stature than some big men around the league, Thompson has shown himself to be more than capable of slowing some of the team’s frontcourt boogeymen in the East, and should be a great fit with the Celtics.

In his last season with the Cavs, the Texas product put up 12 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and just under a block per game.

Using the full mid-level is a sign the Celtics plan to avoid the tax this season, which will help them save money — and perhaps key players — down the road by delaying the punitive repeater luxury tax.

It also leaves Boston with the bi-annual exception of $3.6 million and the two traded-player exceptions of $5 and $2.6 million generated by the Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier trades as well.

Check back often for more on this developing story.

[jwplayer n9U7MN0D]

[lawrence-related id=43642,43643,43627,43614]

[listicle id=43017]