Thompson has lessons to share
Has Finals experience from years with Cavs
In 2016, Cleveland became the first and only team in NBA history to win the title after trailing in the series 3-1, rallying to stun the Golden State Warriors.
On Thursday, Tristan Thompson recalled LeBron James’ message to the team prior to departing for Oakland and Game 5.
“LeBron texted us and said if you don’t think we have a chance to win Game 5 or this series, then don’t come on the plane,” Thompson, who has joined the Celtics after nine seasons as a Cav, said in a media Zoom call.
“And that’s something that, as a young guy, to hear your leader say that and believe that much in this ballclub, it says a lot,” he said “It gave the guys who weren’t sure faith and hope. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of that, so for me to be able to share my wisdom from what I learned from ‘ Bron and pass on to these guys is what the NBA is about. It’s a fraternity, and when you have a chance to play with greatness — one of the best to ever play this game — you want to pass down the wisdom.
“If I can pass wisdom down to (Jayson Tatum) or (Jaylen Brown), he’s going to pass it down to the next young guys coming up. That’s how you keep the cycle going.”
The cycle has shattered three times in the last four years in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Celtics unable to navigate what has become a very large bump in the road. Thompson was on the floor when Cleveland eliminated the Celtics in 2017 and 2018, and understands why they like him so much.
“Coach always told me, usually the team that you have a lot of success against or beat up against a lot of years in the playoffs, they usually want you to join their side when you’re available or when you become a free agent,” said Thompson, whose offensive rebounding has been a Celtics scourge for nine years.
But it’s not just Thompson’s hard edge that will toughen up things in this young lineup. He already knows them after playing Tatum and Brown twice in the conference finals when the latter two were still just getting their feet wet.
He can tell them what it’s like on the other side of that hump.
“My experience, being a part of coming back from 3-1 and being a part of having big games in those moments can help a lot with those guys,” he said. “Being down 3-1, everyone was saying nobody in NBA history has ever done it, Golden State Warriors are the best team in NBA history. To hear all that, for our group to stick together, and the key for that ballclub in that time period and that moment was how close we were. Our relationship was so tight off the court, that when we were down 3-1, people counted us out. But that same night when the game was over, we texted each other and said we think we can win this series. If we win Game 5, we win the series.”
“I can be myself and come out and, of course, share my wisdom. Whether it’s the good stuff or the bad stuff that I’ve seen or been around, to help these guys continue to grow, to become better pros and bring us together as a team in terms of leadership-wise,” he said. “But in terms of offensively and defensively, bringing that energy. I think my energy is gonna ignite the team and that’s what (Brad Stevens) he was saying to me, that I gotta be the motor that jump-starts the team to get going.
“So I’ve always had that role and I’ve been like that since day one. So coming in, I want to play harder than the bigs that I’m going against. Whoever I’m playing against, play harder than them and that’s contagious. I think that everyone around the league knows how valuable that is, so just being myself and I think that’s worked out pretty well for me and I think for this ball club, it can help them a lot.”
Thompson knows of at least one Celtic who already has his style.
“I think (Marcus) Smart is a bulldog and has done a great job since he has come here on day one of not backing down against anyone,” said Thompson. “I think he’s done that awesome at the guard position and I think for me, at the big position, it’s bringing that same energy.
“Playing against (the Celtics), you guys saw me enough to see how I play and I’m going to play the exact same way. When I was a Cleveland Cavalier, playing against you guys in the regular season or postseason, I’m going to bring the same grittiness and toughness. You saw it in the Miami series, the bigs are playing at a high level and playing well so for me, it’s for me to come in there and slow those guys down and make it tough for them. Like big Perk (former C’s center Kendrick Perkins) would say, ‘Lay that wood.’ ”