OAKLAND — Tristan Thompson stood in front of the throng of media surrounding him in Oakland, smiling with pride as he spoke about Cleveland — the “two-one-six” as he called it — and how important it would be to the city, and the state, to bring home an NBA championship.
But his smile got a little bit bigger and his eyes widened that much more when he was asked how special that championship would be for him, personally, as a Canadian.
“I obviously wouldn’t be the first Canadian to win a championship, because you know Cory [Joseph] beat me too it,” he said. “But I definitely go out there not just representing Cleveland, [but] representing my family and everyone back home [and] little kids that are watching me play right now and look up to me.
“I know when I’m out there I’m a role model and I’ve got a duty to represent my country the right way and that’s what I do every night.”
Not only did Joseph (2014) beat Thompson in that race to the ring, but so too did Mike Smrek (two times, 1987-1988), Bill Wennington (three times, 1996-1998) , Rick Fox (three times, 2000-2002), and Joel Anthony (two times, 2012-2013). However, the bond between Joseph and Thompson is so much stronger — dating back to college, AAU, and childhood — and it’s his friend that Thompson now leans on for championship advice.
“Come ready to play,” he said of the words of wisdom that were passed on from Joseph. “You’ve been doing this for 20-24 years, there’s no difference. Even though it’s the Finals, just play your game and everything will work (itself out).”
Thompson’s success is another chapter in the ever-evolving story of the rise and resurgence of basketball in Canada.
“There’s great basketball coming from our country,” he said. “The all-star game is going to be big for our country, big for our city. The success [Andrew] Wiggins is having personally and then Cory winning the Finals and now me being in the Finals is something to be proud about and I’m definitely proud to be Canadian.”
Thompson has emerged as a key cog in the Cavaliers quest for the title. His 2014-15 regular season was solid, but it’s his play in the post-season — especially since Kevin Love went down — that has been turning heads. The rugged forward has been a beast on the glass — on both ends of the floor — and he’s defending and doing the dirty work that is so invaluable in playoff basketball. ABC/ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy even recently remarked that he would start Thompson ahead of Love next season (assuming both players remain with the Cavs) because the team simply plays better and as a more complete unit with the Canadian on the floor.
“I’m excited,” said Thompson of his first appearance in the Finals. “This is what you dream about as a kid. Playing in the NBA, this is it. This is the top of the mountain. This is mano-a-mano. May the best man win.”
And if the Cavaliers — and Thompson — do indeed win, the Larry O’Brien trophy will likely make a trip to Toronto at some point in the summer.
“I always go back home,” said Thompson. “Mom’s cooking [and] just to be home. See the CN Tower, be down Yonge Street, King Street West, there’s some good areas in Toronto that I miss. I always go back.”