Hoopsworld: Tristan Thompson Primed for Breakout

Could Tristan Thompson spurn the sophomore slump for the sophomore jump? As the Cleveland Cavaliers count down the days until they descend upon Cleveland Clinic Courts, one player who will be the subject of plenty of analysis is the second-year power forward. Hoopsworld’s Stephen Brotherston lists Thompson as one of his six players who are “primed” for a breakout campagin in 2012-13 due to a combination of development and increased playing time. “Rookie power forward Tristan Thompson was brought along quietly by the Cavaliers,” writes Brotherston, ”playing behind the two-time All-Star Antawn Jamison and in the shadow of first overall pick Kyrie Irving, but over the season, Thompson proved his game was getting better fast. Typical rookie season numbers of 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds and a block in 23.5 minutes obscured his steadily increasing minutes and production. The Cavaliers let Jamison leave in free agency to free up minutes for the fourth overall pick in 2011 draft and Thompso...