Cleveland Cavaliers Tristian Thompson: Still The Team To Beat In The Eastern Conference.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio- Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristian Thompson will not play with LeBron James, but even without him, he still thinks that the Cavs are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

The big man provided some of his thoughts earlier talking to the media after practice.

“We’re still the 4-time Eastern Conference champions,” Thompson said. ” So until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say.  Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say.  Boston had homecourt for Game 7 – lost. Philly got almost swept and Toronto – we know that story.”

If you look at it, Thompson is right.

On Monday at Cavaliers Media Day, Coach Tyronn Lue was asked a question about the Cavs still being the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Lue response – “We haven’t lost yet.”

Over the last four years, the Cavs have represented the Conference in the NBA Finals, all series against the Golden State Warriors.

Thompson’s comment brought attention to the media and NBA players.  Marcus Morris from the Celtics quickly took it to Twitter and commented on his thoughts.

????? @RealTristan13 Cut it out. Get that vacation ready early this year fam! Ain’t shit going through the Cavs this year! #facts

— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) September 27, 2018

When Thompson said, “We know that story.”  the center was referring to the Toronto Raptors – who they defeated in the playoffs last three years.

However, the Cavs have a lot of expectations heading to the season. The OddsShark have Cleveland listed 80-1 to win the Conference. The Boston Celtics are considered to be the favorites after coming within one game short of the NBA Finals last year. Right behind the Celtics is the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors.

Remember, the team holds four Eastern Conference championships. He was asked about, “Winning muscle memory.” He pointed out the four banners hanging in the practice facility. “Yes, right there. One, two, three four.”

“We have a lot of winning muscle memory here,” He said. “Have a lot of guys that been past the first round of the playoffs in their careers, that winning muscle memory right there.”

Still, the Cavaliers are not listening.