How Thompson fits, benefits Bulls' postseason dreams originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Move past the very unconventional manner in which Tristan Thompson’s imminent signing transpired and the veteran big man is a very conventional playoff player.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle announced the news after Thompson, who turns 31 next month, stuffed the box score with 17 points, six rebounds and a block on 8-for-9 shooting in a victory over the Washington Wizards.
The Chicago Bulls will need to waive a player---likely, Alfonzo McKinnie---to sign Thompson. Here are three ways the 11-year veteran fits and benefits the Bulls.
REBOUNDING
While far from the championship linchpin he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers in his prime, Thompson plays with toughness, a high motor and remains a monster on the boards. His defensive rebounding rate ranks in the 73rd percentile, while his offensive rebounding rate sits in the 96th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
The Bulls, as of this writing, own a top-5 defensive rebounding rate but are the second-worst offensive rebounding team in the league. And they’ve been prone to lapses with Nikola Vučević off the court.
With Vučević on the floor, the Bulls rebound 76.7 percent of opponent misses, a figure which would rank first in the NBA. With him off, that figure craters to 69.7 percent, which would slot dead last. Thompson would be a boon eating Vučević’s off minutes
PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
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As soon as the ink dries on Thompson’s rest-of-season deal, he immediately moves to the head of the class for playoff games. He also joins Alex Caruso as the only Bulls who have won championships.
Thompson has played in 83 playoff games, including 22 NBA Finals contests. While his poor free-throw shooting---62.5 percent in the playoffs, 60.6 percent in 707 career regular-season games---likely would preclude him from closing games, his postseason averages of 7.8 points and 8.6 rebounds are notable.
Plus, Thompson doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He has carved out his niche as someone who mostly scores on putbacks and lob dunks. He plays within his strengths, which is why his shooting percentage jumps from 51.8 percent during the regular season to 56.6 percent in the playoffs.
MATCHUP MANIA
Nobody stops Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid. But with another physical, defensive-minded long body, Thompson adds six more fouls to the Bulls’ big-man rotation.
Plus, Thompson has experience guarding big players in big moments. If nothing else, Thompson’s arrival will offer coach Billy Donovan options past Vučević. Ride a small-ball reserve lineup with Thompson and Derrick Jones Jr. for stretches? Use Thompson for the nights Tony Bradley is ineffective?
The playoffs are all about survival. They’re rugged and physical. Adding depth in the frontcourt is only a good thing.
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