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

[LilRip]

Man, people are just LOOKING for reasons to get angry. This was a great message by TT and I’m glad that he didn’t sugarcoat it. How mad would you guys be if he had said:

THEY have to be better, THEY went to the ECF 3 out of 4 times, I will light a fire under their ass.

People would be buying TT jerseys just to burn them lol

Another thing: bringing it up while the C’s are wrestling with a .500 record ~30-games into the season is also great timing. The season isn’t over aka we can still change something (saying this too late into the season just comes off as whining). But also, there’s enough evidence to point to as proof that there’s something wrong.

[18isGREATERthan72]

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.

True.. but also Tristan wasnt a bystander

Reminder: clip below. Moment Tristan and Lebron yelling at each other (playoff)

Like Tristan said. Hold each other accountable

https://youtu.be/d_ikVCaaLqE

Exactly.  TT was yelling at LeBron because of him not working through a screen on the previous possession in that video and allowing Paul George a wide open 3 pointer in OT.

Also, for what it's worth... I didn't read those comments by him and feel like he was throwing anyone in particular under the bus.  I didn't get the impression of him being on a high horse and saying this, it seemed like he meant the starters (including him) need to play harder and have better energy.  If you're playing terrible basketball as a team, you don't have to wait until you have a good month as an individual to hold people accountable, that is ridiculous.

[Big333223]

Everything Thompson said is correct. The question is, what is going to be done about it?

[todd_days_41]

There's a few guys I'd like to see play with the consistency Thompson calls out.... one of them is Thompson himself.

[cltc5]

Great to see.  They need to listen.  Kyrie tried to tell them the same thing and they all sulked about it.  You wanna win a championship, try listening to people that have been there.

[Roy H.]

Great to see.  They need to listen.  Kyrie tried to tell them the same thing and they all sulked about it.  You wanna win a championship, try listening to people that have been there.

You found Kyrie to be an effective leader?

[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).

Yeah, except if you haven't noticed, Tatum and Brown AREN'T saying this. I think that's kind of the point. Thompson is starting to light a fire and he's backing it up lately.

I'd much rather have him do that than just pout and do nothing.

If you feel that way about Thompson, then you probably feel that way about a bunch of other players who have said a "stern message" to and about their own team.

How do we know what Tatum and Brown are saying?  Just because they aren't airing dirty laundry to the media, doesn't mean they aren't saying, and far more importantly doing, what needs to be said/done. 

[Phantom255x]

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).

Yeah, except if you haven't noticed, Tatum and Brown AREN'T saying this. I think that's kind of the point. Thompson is starting to light a fire and he's backing it up lately.

I'd much rather have him do that than just pout and do nothing.

If you feel that way about Thompson, then you probably feel that way about a bunch of other players who have said a "stern message" to and about their own team.

How do we know what Tatum and Brown are saying?  Just because they aren't airing dirty laundry to the media, doesn't mean they aren't saying, and far more importantly doing, what needs to be said/done.

Most of the team seems to lack that killer instinct. The only guys I feel who have it are Brown and Smart. Everyone else just seems to be complacent with everything that's happening. Maybe that's also true of Smart and Brown, but at least they seem to bring it every game.

Honestly, this team right now is just frustrating as a whole.

I at least respect Thompson trying to light a fire somehow even if through 1-2 media quotes. I'd rather that than the usual, monotone responses from guys like Brad Stevens postgame.