Tag: Tristan Thompson

Who Is Tristan Thompson?

Tristan Thompson is an impressive athlete but can he be relied upon going forward this fantasy basketball season?

Analysis: Tristan Thompson is one streaky player and this week has certainly had its ups and downs. Despite his sporadic play Thompson has still managed to average 9.2 RPG to go along with 9.4 PPG over his last five games. Although the rebounding has been great Thompson only managed two blocks and zero steals in that five game stretch. His season average of .9 SPG and .3 BPG is absolutely unacceptable in the fantasy world. This is the type of athlete that can and should be averaging over one block and one steal per game quite easily. His struggles at the line this year(56%) is also killing his fantasy value but he just may be a double-double machine in the making.

It is too early to tell what the season holds for Thompson but if the blocks are not there he isn’t worth anyone’s time. He is in a similar situation to the one Derrick Favors was entering his second year in the league. In Derrick’s case, he really didn’t start playing consistent ball until last April and it may be the case with Thompson this year. Either way it goes his blocks and steals will ultimately tell his fantasy story this year because the rebounding is there.

Blocks And Boards- Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson is getting tons of minutes at center and the fantasy world is taking note.

Analysis: Tristan Thompson may only be 6’9″ but his play at center is what really matters. Thompson’s last three games have been stellar, averaging 9.3 rebounds per game, 1.6 blocks per game to go along with 18.3 points per game. While his points production will not last, his blocks and boards are here to stay if his minutes remain in the thirty plus range. Thompson was drafted for defense with the fourth pick of the 2011 NBA draft and that is exactly what he is providing for the Cavs at the moment.

In twenty-two minutes per game this year Thompson is averaging six boards and one block but with his minutes into the upper thirties he is just flat out producing. He does offer power forward/center dual position eligibility which is always a plus. The truth is, he’s starting now and is working with starter’s minutes… he’s here to stay. Thompson is available in over eighty percent of fantasy leagues and if you are in need of blocks and boards going forward then he is your man.

Draft Impact- Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson may not be a household name but he will be a solid depth player in deeper fantasy leagues this coming season.

Analysis: When I watch Tristan Thompson play I see Tyrus Thomas meets a poor man’s Josh Smith. Thompson filled up that stat sheet quite nicely his only year in college- 13 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.4 BPG and .9 SPG. If Thompson can find at least twenty-four minutes per game he will be fantasy relevant from a rebounding, field goal percentage and blocks perspective. It appears playing time may not be that big of an issue considering JJ Hickson is not a true center although he averaged 17 points and 11 boards in his final thirty games last year. It seems like Hickson will be traded at some point this off season. Although Thompson isn’t a polished scorer he will provide enough in the other categories to compensate, however, Thompson’s biggest weakness is the 48% he shot from the stripe with Texas last year. He did get to the line quite often at Texas so that may be the reason one would not draft Thompson in deeper leagues.

Projection: We’re going to need to see more from Thompson in the preseason but for now he remains a deep league sleeper. He’s capable of seven boards and one and a half blocks per game in limited minutes. If his free throw percentage can make it into the sixty percent range in the preseason you may have more incentive to draft the versatile power forward.