10 keys to winning a title

Keep Tristan Thompson off the glass

This is going to be a lot easier said than done. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving drive the Cavs’ car. Kevin Love, an All-Star, is also one of Cleveland’s main components. But it’s Tristan Thompson who is the engine.

Thompson has found his role and he does it exceptionally well. He is a rebounder first and foremost. He crashes the glass with reckless abandon and uses his body well.

The Cavaliers’ center is physical. Unlike some of All-Star bigs like Blake Griffin or LaMarcus Aldridge, Thompson isn’t scared of Draymond Green. He will match his physicality and energy.

During last year’s NBA Finals, Thompson hauled in 27 offensive rebounds. That total is more than the amount of offensive boards LeBron James and Kevin Love grabbed combined.

Thompson is currently averaging 9.3 rebounds per game in the postseason. His offensive rebound percentage in the postseason is slightly better than last year’s playoffs. He’s also scoring more points with a higher field goal percentage. Cleveland doesn’t run many plays for him so he gets a lot of looks after offensive rebounds.

In addition to getting his own looks, Thompson’s offensive rebounds can open things up for the rest of the team. Guys like James and Irving are great slashers, cutting to open spaces and, either, finish at the rim or forcing the defense to collapse. The Cavs also have shooters who can thrive off broken plays, marksman who move quickly around the perimeter.

It’s no easy task keeping Thompson off the glass. The Warriors need to produce a team effort to box him out and keep him from keeping a possession alive or starting a fast break. Green can’t handle him all on his own.

Golden State needs to be physical, quick, and hungry when a shot goes up. They can’t let Thompson control the glass as he has in the last two Finals. Whoever wins the rebounding battle will have a much better chance at winning the series.