Tristan Thompson sure is playing like an All-Star.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently in the midst of a two-game winning streak and they're sure playing like it. Thompson has 10 points and six rebounds after the opening quarter alone, punctuated by this highlight of him dunking over Karl-Anthony Towns after another one of his many offensive rebounds.
Tristan Thompson rises up for the @cavs putback! #BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/PVBGanbBTf
— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2018
Thompson is playing like a man possessed. Although the Cavaliers still have one of the worst records in the league at 4-14, there's a legitimate argument to be made that Thompson deserves his first All-Star nod if he continues to play like this.
Evan Dammarell of Forbes documented just how dominant the 27-year-old center has been this season.
"This season Thompson has been consistently great in every one of his appearances for the Cavaliers. He is currently averaging 11.1 points 11.4 rebounds (5.2 on the offensive glass) and has been vital in both of Cleveland's last two wins. Against the Philadelphia 76ers Thompson had 18 points, 13 rebounds (8 offensive boards), a team-high +19 rating and even made MVP candidate Joel Embiid look pedestrian at times. Thompson followed up his big outing against the Sixers the following night against the Houston Rockets with 16 points, 2 assists, 4 steals and a hefty 20 rebounds. These games have been a common occurrence for Thompson, which is a stark contrast to last season."
There is no doubt that the departure of LeBron James from Cleveland has opened up a void for Thompson to fill as the Cavaliers' leader.
The Cavaliers currently trail the Minnesota Timberwolves 29-26 after the end of the first quarter.