Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love have taken on a leadership role with the young Cavs, and the two veterans are setting the tone early.
Gone are the days of LeBron James’ reign in Cleveland. Enter a new era of reconstruction under first-time NBA head coach John Beilein. So far, the Cavs have looked better than most experts anticipated, and that’s mostly thanks to the outstanding play of Thompson and Love — the two longest-tenured members of the team.
Incredibly, Thompson (47) and Love (67) have combined for 114 rebounds through just four games played. For Love, it’s a new franchise record:
Through the first 4 games of 2019-20, @kevinlove has totaled 67 rebounds – the most rebounds for any Cavalier through the team’s first 4 games of the season in franchise history. (via @EliasSports / @CavsNotes)
Now that’s scary 👀#BeTheFight | #HappyHalloween pic.twitter.com/U4KKAyBtmg
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 31, 2019
Even more impressive, Love and Thompson have registered double-doubles in each of their first four games of this season:
😤 😤 😤 @kevinlove and @RealTristan13 are the first Cavaliers to notch four double-doubles in the first four games of a season since Tyrone Hill in 2002-03. (Elias Sports Bureau) pic.twitter.com/LOblhet5Ty
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 31, 2019
Love logged 31 minutes in Wednesday night’s 117-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls, scoring 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field (1-of-3 from beyond the arc), a game-high 20 rebounds (franchise record-tying 16 in the first half), six assists and one steal.
.@kevinlove recorded 16 REB in the 1st H of #CavsBulls tonight, tying the @cavs franchise record for rebounds in any half (done so 4 other times). Love already has his 4th straight double-double at the half (10 PTS/16 REB). #Cavs50 #BeTheFight
— Cavs Official Notes (@CavsNotes) October 31, 2019
Thompson has been playing great through the early stages of this campaign, but he really came alive in Wednesday night’s matchup against the Bulls. The Canadian-born big man put up 23 points on 11-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, two assists and a career-high five blocks. Several of his field goals came in the form of ferocious dunks.
“We’re just feeding off each other,” Love told ESPN, referring to his cohesiveness with Thompson. “We talk every day that we need to set the tone for the rest of the team.”
Cavs head coach John Beilein had high praise for Thompson’s improved defense following Wednesday’s game:
“He’s in great physical shape right now,” Beilein said of Thompson.
"He's in incredible shape right now."
John Beilein on @RealTristan13's effort on the defensive side of the ball. #BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/W7wBJ5UEDW
— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) October 31, 2019
Coach Beilein has challenged Thompson to be more of a rim protector this season, and he’s accepted:
“Coach Beilein put the bug in my ear, so I’ve accepted the challenge,” Thompson said during Wednesday’s post-game media availability.
.@RealTristan13 on @cavs coach John Beilein urging him to step up this season and TT has delivered. #BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/PKrrKEnuOp
— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) October 31, 2019
So far, so good for Thompson, Love and the young Cavs. They’ll be back in action on Friday night, as they’re scheduled to face the Indiana Pacers. Tip-off inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse is set for 7:00 p.m, ET.