On Sunday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers scored the upset of the evening as they secured an unexpected away victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, 101-95, in Staples Center.
The Lakers were again without the services of LeBron James who is still out with a groin injury. Following the tightly-contested victory, Cavs big man Tristan Thompson shared his two cents worth on how he believes the Lakers should manage the temporary absence of their superstar.
“He’ll come back at a point or moment where, let’s say they drop five or six games and they go from third to now they’re in ninth or 10th,” Thompson said, via Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “It’s not about being nervous if you’re going to make the playoffs because he’s going to come back in time, even if he’s still hurt he’ll come back in time to make the playoffs.
Thompson went on to explain how, in his mind, the team should take advantage of this rather unexpected opportunity.
“The time when he is out, I think that’s the moment where players need to, and coaches need to, set up offense to get guys in rhythm, get guys to work on stuff that they probably won’t do if he is in the lineup,” he added.
Thompson certainly knows a thing or two about playing with and without LeBron, as these two were teammates in Cleveland for four seasons prior to James’ big move out West.
Thompson did his bit for the Cavs on Sunday, notching a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double along with an assist and two blocks against the struggling Lakers.