Tristan Thompson to Boston: 2 years, $19M, player option to re-up with Khloé Kardashian

djbayko

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
25,894
Los Angeles, CA
It's actually a pretty old term, but this song below brought the phrase "no cap" back into popularity a few years ago. It basically means "no lie". So "cap" means "lies"

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTls33S9xbY

And that's way more info than you asked for.
Thanks for this explanation. The prior two posts had me wondering if it came from “ball cap” which is close to “bull crap”. Alas, we aren’t Australian, so of course it’s nothing like that.
 

Light-Tower-Power

ask me about My Pillow
SoSH Member
Jun 14, 2013
15,947
Nashua, NH
So what’s the deal with TT at this point? It’s getting a little weird that we haven’t heard anything about him for a while now. After watching Mo Wagner last night it’s clear we need TT’s minutes.
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,157
Yeah, there's obviously HIPAA stuff at play here - but you'd think somebody would have said something about what is going on with him.
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,157
I assume symptomatic COVID, too, as they didn’t really talk about that stuff with Tatum at least as far as I recall.
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,403
around the way
I assume symptomatic COVID, too, as they didn’t really talk about that stuff with Tatum at least as far as I recall.
They didn't say that much about Tatum, but they did mention extensive cardiac tasting as a prerequisite for return. They won't clear anyone at risk of dropping dead.
 

lovegtm

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2013
11,996
Tristan scoffs at KOC's rumors of "not being liked in locker room". Pretty well restrained/reasoned. Very well-spoken.

go to 6:55

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbCHQV7yJyg
TT looked great last night. I think they picked the right guy for the remainder of the season, and obviously the salary filler situation makes it a no brainer.

Danny rightfully took a lot of shit this year, and he should get credit for the signing imo.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
TT looked great last night. I think they picked the right guy for the remainder of the season, and obviously the salary filler situation makes it a no brainer.

Danny rightfully took a lot of shit this year, and he should get credit for the signing imo.
TL + TT have the 5 covered the rest of this season. Was shocked TT came back looking so active, figured COVID would have sapped his energy. Fingers crossed for health from both the rest of this season.

Won't be upset if they need TT's salary to add a veteran wing/ballhandler this summer. Plenty of bigs will be available.

Any concerns about him being a locker room cancer should be put to rest. He didn't sound defensive at all, very secure, and aware of being a good teammate (unless he is taking acting lessons from his inlaws)
 

lovegtm

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2013
11,996
TL + TT have the 5 covered the rest of this season. Was shocked TT came back looking so active, figured COVID would have sapped his energy. Fingers crossed for health from both the rest of this season.

Won't be upset if they need TT's salary to add a veteran wing/ballhandler this summer. Plenty of bigs will be available.

Any concerns about him being a locker room cancer should be put to rest. He didn't sound defensive at all, very secure, and aware of being a good teammate (unless he is taking acting lessons from his inlaws)
If that's what locker room cancer looks like, sign me up.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,204
Thank you for sharing that. The entire interview is great but his response to the question about how he can help the team with their struggles was fascinating.
 

lovegtm

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2013
11,996
This is getting repetitive, but I keep being impressed every time I watch TT play of late. His defense has looked better and better (yes, not playing with Theis helps a lot there). Idk whether he's worth 2/20, but he's not that far off imo.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,458
Since the All-Star Break, TT has played 6 games... his net rating is a truly insane +21.4 and the team is 5-1 in those games.
 

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,289
I did have some skepticism about a two-center rotation that didn't provide any perimeter spacing, given how they have run the offense in the past. But I am liking what the pick and roll focus is bringing to the table as opposed to the pick and pop. While Theis is a credible shooter, he's not great, and he's not a threat to drive or make plays, which allowed defenses to sag/overhelp/deny elsewhere knowing that he's either going to shoot or wait around at the top of the key for a swing pass to present itself.

While the outcomes/goals are very different between TL and TT, their movement to the rim gives defenders something different to think about, gets the D moving in general, and opens up more passing options for the ball-handler because the big is a threat at the rim (Thompson struggles to finish occasionally but his positioning is solid and he has good hands), and the kick-out options are generally good shooters getting better looks than they maybe had been before. In the Theis pick and pop scenario, if he doesn't shoot off the catch, it often creates a real slowdown and forces someone into a late ISO situation. With the bigs mostly rolling now, we're seeing more easy looks for the ball handler, and more "hockey assist" situations where the right kick out is leading to the quick no-dribble perimeter passing that beats the rotating D every time.
 
Last edited:

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
I did have some skepticism about a two-center rotation that didn't provide any perimeter spacing, given how they have run the offense in the past. But I am liking what the pick and roll focus is bringing to the table as opposed to the pick and pop. While Theis is a credible shooter, he's not great, and he's not a threat to drive or make plays, which allowed defenses to sag/overhelp/deny elsewhere knowing that he's either going to shoot or wait around at the top of the key for a swing pass to present itself.

While the outcomes/goals are very different between TL and TT, their movement to the rim gives defenders something different to think about, gets the D moving in general, and opens up more passing options for the ball-handler because the big is a threat at the rim (Thompson struggles to finish occasionally but his positioning is solid and he has good hands), and the kick-out options are generally good shooters getting better looks than they maybe had been before. In the Theis pick and pop scenario, if he doesn't shoot off the catch, it often creates a real slowdown and forces someone into a late ISO situation. With the bigs mostly rolling now, we're seeing more easy looks for the ball handler, and more "hockey assist" situations where the right kick out is leading to the quick no-dribble perimeter passing that beats the rotating D every time.
TT has played a lot better since the first month. Wasn't fully ready and the double BIG lineup didn't help the cause.

The next thing I'd like to see out of TT is to mix it up after an offensive rebound. Every once in a while, kick the ball out for a step in 3. He still has a tendency to put the blinders on, take a challenged shot in paint while surrounded by defenders & the entire league recognizes this
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
I did have some skepticism about a two-center rotation that didn't provide any perimeter spacing, given how they have run the offense in the past.
When TL is positioned on the baseline below the block he still provides spacing albeit similar to how Snyder uses Gobert at times. The threat of the lob on dribble penetration occupies the big so he isn’t able to close the lane.....it can be as effective as forcing a big to defend the 3-point line as it serves the same purpose of spacing for dribble penetration. It also gives the defense different looks as they have to recognize whether TL is being used in a PNR or to simply occupy the big.
 

lovegtm

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2013
11,996
When TL is positioned on the baseline below the block he still provides spacing albeit similar to how Snyder uses Gobert at times. The threat of the lob on dribble penetration occupies the big so he isn’t able to close the lane.....it can be as effective as forcing a big to defend the 3-point line as it serves the same purpose of spacing for dribble penetration. It also gives the defense different looks as they have to recognize whether TL is being used in a PNR or to simply occupy the big.
Exactly--I'd rather have that type of spacing at center than shooting spacing (except for the KAT) types, since the defense has fewer options for taking it away (no late switches etc).

You also keep the big in offensive rebounding position, which gives a lot of extra equity to other players' drives.
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,157
The next thing I'd like to see out of TT is to mix it up after an offensive rebound. Every once in a while, kick the ball out for a step in 3. He still has a tendency to put the blinders on, take a challenged shot in paint while surrounded by defenders & the entire league recognizes this
I feel like he really has a tendency to volleyball attack the rebound. Smack the ball out of bounds or I guess you'd call it attempting to tip it back in, but it's so clearly just a swat that the likelihood of entering the basket is somewhere between slim and none.

He has played well since returning from Covid, though, much better than I was expecting. I thought we'd see a regression to beginning of the season TT, but that hasn't happened.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
I feel like he really has a tendency to volleyball attack the rebound. Smack the ball out of bounds or I guess you'd call it attempting to tip it back in, but it's so clearly just a swat that the likelihood of entering the basket is somewhere between slim and none.

He has played well since returning from Covid, though, much better than I was expecting. I thought we'd see a regression to beginning of the season TT, but that hasn't happened.
His biggest problem is he loves the 3-10 ft shot. 48% of his shots come from that range. Luckily for us, he's hitting them at over 50%. The last 3 years he's hit those shots at an above average clip tho.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Why is that a problem if he's making over 50%? His little jump hook is money.
It's not if you think he'll keep making them at that rate. The first 7 years he hit the 3-10' at a .384 clip. Then .506, .434 and currently .504. He'll never be as efficient as his counterparts because he's taking way more 3-10's.
 

chilidawg

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 22, 2015
5,934
Cultural hub of the universe
It's not if you think he'll keep making them at that rate. The first 7 years he hit the 3-10' at a .384 clip. Then .506, .434 and currently .504. He'll never be as efficient as his counterparts because he's taking way more 3-10's.
He'll never be as efficient because he struggles to finish at the rim, not because he takes the shots he's actually good at.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
Does anyone want to discuss why Tristan was not guarding Poeltl several times in the halfcourt in the 2nd half?

Anything to be concerned about?

WBCD usually likes to take a stab at our PnR defense
 

TripleOT

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 4, 2007
7,758
Does anyone want to discuss why Tristan was not guarding Poeltl several times in the halfcourt in the 2nd half?

Anything to be concerned about?

WBCD usually likes to take a stab at our PnR defense
They were running a lot of pick/roll, and both TT and TL were getting burned trying to cover the wing. The Celtics (rightly) figured the Spurs wouldn’t post Jaylen with Poeltl, and hot away with covering him with, JB, who can contain the wing after he and the big switch.

Important adjustment that helped the comeback.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
They were running a lot of pick/roll, and both TT and TL were getting burned trying to cover the wing. The Celtics (rightly) figured the Spurs wouldn’t post Jaylen with Poeltl, and hot away with covering him with, JB, who can contain the wing after he and the big switch.

Important adjustment that helped the comeback.
Thanks. Clever adjustment.

BUT a big part of the reason Tristen is here was his +PnR defense. Maybe I'll re-watch the 1st half
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483
Thanks. Clever adjustment.

BUT a big part of the reason Tristen is here was his +PnR defense. Maybe I'll re-watch the 1st half
Didn't really watch the first half that closely because, well, it seemed like SAS was getting whatever they wanted but the problem was that when the bigs came out to hit the shot, they'd get Poeltl on the roll and if they stayed back, SAS would hit a mid-range. Cs were also getting killed on the boards. Having JB play Poetl helped them by having a big closer to the basket to help I think so they could be more aggressive on getting on the jump shooters. I think it also helped keeping the ball in front of the defense.

All that is in addition to what 3xOT said.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483
Does anyone want to discuss why Tristan was not guarding Poeltl several times in the halfcourt in the 2nd half?

Anything to be concerned about?

WBCD usually likes to take a stab at our PnR defense
I just re-watched the 3Q. (BTW, two things jumped out at me - SAS was still up 28 with about 6:40 to go, and the Cs by no means played a perfect 3Q - both JT and JB missed layups off TOs, there were a couple of Cs sloppy TOs; SAS had at least two 3Ps off offensive rebounds.)

At any rate, the Cs went to JB guarding Poeltl when Rudy Gay came in - TT guarded Gay and JB guarded Poeltl. Probably better as Gay isn't as dangerous as a roll man. SAS's last possession of the 3Q the Cs changed it up and Gay hit a jumper over JB. Still, Cs made up 15 points in 6 1/2 minutes. And I think if you watch the 3Q again, you'll see that TT's defense was really good when he was on an island versus just about everyone.

For example, watch the first possession of 4Q. JB has Poeltl. SAS run PnR with Poeltl and Mills. JB picks up Mills; PP tries to go with Poeltl but TT slides over and tells PP to get out. All that is left is Mills 1 on 1 vs JB. He got a foul there but SAS weren't getting open spaces to whip around the ball. Great adjustment by Cs.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
I just re-watched the 3Q. (BTW, two things jumped out at me - SAS was still up 28 with about 6:40 to go, and the Cs by no means played a perfect 3Q - both JT and JB missed layups off TOs, there were a couple of Cs sloppy TOs; SAS had at least two 3Ps off offensive rebounds.)

At any rate, the Cs went to JB guarding Poeltl when Rudy Gay came in - TT guarded Gay and JB guarded Poeltl. Probably better as Gay isn't as dangerous as a roll man. SAS's last possession of the 3Q the Cs changed it up and Gay hit a jumper over JB. Still, Cs made up 15 points in 6 1/2 minutes. And I think if you watch the 3Q again, you'll see that TT's defense was really good when he was on an island versus just about everyone.

For example, watch the first possession of 4Q. JB has Poeltl. SAS run PnR with Poeltl and Mills. JB picks up Mills; PP tries to go with Poeltl but TT slides over and tells PP to get out. All that is left is Mills 1 on 1 vs JB. He got a foul there but SAS weren't getting open spaces to whip around the ball. Great adjustment by Cs.
Yea. I also recall (because Jimbo is right, I refuse to watch H1 of that game) the Spurs never missing a mid-range jumper (esp Murray). It was a really clever defensive move by CBS. Nice to see him adjusting even when down a pile of points
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,403
around the way
Yea. I also recall (because Jimbo is right, I refuse to watch H1 of that game) the Spurs never missing a mid-range jumper (esp Murray). It was a really clever defensive move by CBS. Nice to see him adjusting even when down a pile of points
The adjustments were good, the energy infusion also. I don't want to downplay them at all--story of the game.

That said, there was some ball luck regression also. If one of the Spurs had lost a mouthpiece in the first half, it would have gone through the rim for 2pts.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483
Yea. I also recall (because Jimbo is right, I refuse to watch H1 of that game) the Spurs never missing a mid-range jumper (esp Murray). It was a really clever defensive move by CBS. Nice to see him adjusting even when down a pile of points
Re-watched 4Q. JB was on Poeltl and I noticed is that Pop tried a lot of different PnR combinations after JB took Poeltl and nothing really worked. Then, when JB went out, TT went back to Poeltl. There were two possessions after JB re-entered the game where JT took Poeltl - I wonder if that was planned.

Finally, down the stretch they had JB on Murray and TT on Poeltl but I guess the Cs had gotten SAS out of their rhythm so SAS did a lot of ISO.

Interesting to study, well interesting since Cs won. If Cs had lost, it would have been more infuriating.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483
The adjustments were good, the energy infusion also. I don't want to downplay them at all--story of the game.

That said, there was some ball luck regression also. If one of the Spurs had lost a mouthpiece in the first half, it would have gone through the rim for 2pts.
Yes and no - I mean it's hard for anyone to shoot 70% not being guarded but by my recollection, SAS was getting super wide open shot after super wide open shot in the first half. No one was getting over picks and the Cs bigs were in no man's land.

The quality of shots went way down for SAS in the 2H.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,111
Santa Monica
Re-watched 4Q. JB was on Poeltl and I noticed is that Pop tried a lot of different PnR combinations after JB took Poeltl and nothing really worked. Then, when JB went out, TT went back to Poeltl. There were two possessions after JB re-entered the game where JT took Poeltl - I wonder if that was planned.

Finally, down the stretch they had JB on Murray and TT on Poeltl but I guess the Cs had gotten SAS out of their rhythm so SAS did a lot of ISO.

Interesting to study, well interesting since Cs won. If Cs had lost, it would have been more infuriating.
JB as a small-ball 5 something we see more of now or years to come? I'm ready for it

That could really help hide some of JB's defensive inefficiencies while turning the team into a 5 wing monster (Brad-thra)
 

TripleOT

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 4, 2007
7,758
JB as a small-ball 5 something we see more of now or years to come? I'm ready for it

That could really help hide some of JB's defensive inefficiencies while turning the team into a 5 wing monster (Brad-thra)
He’s done a credible job in the past guarding bigs like Kevin Love.

I saw a shot of Tatum standing next to TL in the Spurs game and they looked to be the same height. I can see Tatum playing a smallball 5 in spots also
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
He’s done a credible job in the past guarding bigs like Kevin Love.

I saw a shot of Tatum standing next to TL in the Spurs game and they looked to be the same height. I can see Tatum playing a smallball 5 in spots also
TL has like 6-7 inches on him in standing reach. 8 in wingspan.