Article: Tristan Thompson gives stern message to Celtics despite win vs. Hawks

[Tr1boy]

After game loss Hawks two games ago

"We are no longer the hunters. We are the hunted," Thompson said in his postgame press conference, as seen in the video above. "Three Conference finals in four years. With having that kind of success, teams circle us on their calendar. So having Saddiq Bey have 30 (points) and guys having career nights against us, that's unacceptable"

"It's about time we light a fire under each other's ass," Thompson added. "If I see a guy slacking, I'm gonna say it, and I think the same thing vice versa. When we start doing that, that will lead to more consistency for our team."

After yesterdays win vs Hawks

“Like I said to the guys tonight, it’s a good win, but at the end of the day we’re up 20, 22 points and we got to close it out,” Thompson said in his postgame Zoom call with reporters. “Those minutes, the last six minutes, those minutes are supposed to be dedicated to Tremont Waters, Aaron (Nesmith), Tacko Fall, Carsen Edwards. Those last six minutes are supposed to be for those young guys.

“It’s our bad and it’s selfish on our part with the first and second unit that we didn’t stomp on (the Hawks') necks and let them bleed out to death because those guys deserve to go out there and get some minutes. They come in every day and work hard and they watch us and support us from the bench. It’s only right that when we’re up like that we take care of business so they can go out there and play and we cheer them on.”

Celts have their equivalent  of Haslem on the team. Good leadership. Playing with purpose.

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/tristan-thompson-gives-stern-message-celtics-despite-win-over-hawks

[Roy H.]

Interesting to see TT specifically call guys out for slacking this season.

[Donoghus]

Interesting to see TT specifically call guys out for slacking this season.

 I think there's been some coasting the past couple of weeks.  Maybe I'm making excuses but I think part of that has been due to just fatigue.  When you're tired, you stop doing the small things.  Guys stand around, sloppy, ISOs.  Just less engaged.

[gouki88]

Given TT is a champion and has played nearly 80 playoff games despite his early Cavs teams being straight up terrible, I think we should listen.

[Moranis]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

[86MaxwellSmart]

Good....but the roster still sucks, cause Danny has no idea how to draft.

[Ogaju]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

This post is just flat out wrong. TT has said what needs to be said.

[gouki88]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

Lol

[Roy H.]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

This post is just flat out wrong. TT has said what needs to be said.

It did need to be said, but I get Mo’s point about TT.  His hustle basically disappeared between the opener and about two weeks ago.    It has a “do as I say, not as I do” vibe.

[ScoobyDoo]

Absolutely “outstanding” commentary from Tristan. He is “100%” on point. It’s not only they we’ve been to three of the last four ECF’s, it’s also just because we’re the Boston Celtics, period.

The team needs to hear this on a very regular basis from both Thompson and Smart. Thompson Smart need to play the Draymond Green/KG internal engine mode for this team. They need to be the emotional fuel for the team - Jaylen’s to intellectual and Jayson is just not a natural “Ra Ra” guy.

Also, in order for this team to reach it’s true potential and possibly win a title this year, two players need to dramatically raise their defensive intensity and overall focus. Those two players names are Robert Williams and Jaylen Brown. They’re easily the two most athletic players we have (both actually elite by even NBA standards)  nad when Robert and Jaylen are fully dialed in defensively they are massively disruptive and impactful.

For Time Lord part of it is just reps and continuing to mature as a player. Brown is there mentally but he still falls asleep on the defensive side of the ball too much and he coasts too often.

Thompson is not 100% right with these comments - he is 1000% right.

And you know, it’s Ok for guys to hear that the energy and intensity they’re currently playing with “isn’t enough, isn’t good enough”. It’s actuLly required.

I think Thompson has slowly played himself into shape - it’s good to see. He’s not going to give you 20 points a night - he just needs to be a bar breaker in the paint - that’s the job for him.

[Tr1boy]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

This post is just flat out wrong. TT has said what needs to be said.

+1

Brown, Tatum and Kemba are more of the quiet type of leaders. Sometimes its just too positive/blind faith

TT has good timing. He didnt start making his voice heard from day 1. But right now the team needs a fresh non flowery talk perspective

Thompson has been to the finals multiple times and won a ring.  Leveraging on his experience and voice is good for the team.

[celticsclay]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

Lol classic

[RodyTur10]

Given TT is a champion and has played nearly 80 playoff games despite his early Cavs teams being straight up terrible, I think we should listen.

Are the players going to accept this talk from a player who wasn't part of the Celtics squads that made those playoff runs?

Thompson is a champion who just was on the LeBron ride. He was a very replacable part of that Cavs team.
Very different from a Kevin Garnett.

Good instinct though by Thompson recognizing that the Celtics need a voice that holds the team accountable. Basically creating a role for himself in the locker room not just based on his performances on the court, smart.

[footey]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

Cleveland beef??

[Roy H.]

Bunch of garbage coming from a guy that has been downright terrible for much of the season.  Look if Tatum or Brown was saying this, I think it would have a lot more meaning, but a role player that hasn't been performing saying this just comes off poorly to me especially after he finally strung together two good games (albeit against the same opponent).

Cleveland beef??

Or, people are signaling Mo out due to reputation?  His words are too harsh, but maybe just barely so.

Until a few days ago, people around here were criticizing Danny for signing Thompson, calling him a poor pickup.  It’s weird to now see him stepping into the role of the guy preaching hustle, since he’s spent most of the season playing with 2010 Rasheed’s energy (I.e., close to none).  It’s like when Gerald Wallace started to speak up while riding the pine here.

The message is great.  The messenger, to date, looks questionable.