Thompson Happy to be Back in Texas
It’s been quite a year for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2011 lottery picks. While Kyrie Irving became the sixth-youngest player to be named to an All-Star team, forward Tristan Thompson is quickly turning into a double-double threat every night for the Cavaliers. That’s not to say that Thompson doesn’t see areas in which his game can improve.
“I have to continue to work on my craft,” Thompson said. “I think in all areas, especially as a young big. I just have to continue to keep working out and definitely keep getting stronger.”
Thompson insists that while basketball isn’t as swinish as football or hockey, the NBA is far more physical than people perceive.
“You have to be physically prepared,” Thompson said. “There’s a lot of contact out there. They say basketball is a non-contact sport, but that’s definitely a lie. You have to make sure you’re in physical shape to bang down (in the post).”
While Tristan has a lot of respect for big men like Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer and David West, there is one forward in particular whom Thompson has admired since he was a kid growing up in Toronto, Canada.
“I’ve always looked up to Chris Bosh,” Thompson said. “With him playing for the Toronto Raptors, that’s where I’m from. I’ve always been a CB4 fan.”
Although Thompson was born and raised in Toronto, he spent one year at the University of Texas, where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Longhorns. Tristan couldn’t be happier that the All-Star festivities are in Houston this year, calling Texas his “home away from home.”
“It’s always good to be back here in the South, being back in H-Town,” Thompson said. “I have a lot of family and friends out here too so it’s great to see them.”
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