By Canadian Press

Cavs forward Thompson credits his time with Canadian team for strong camp

Oct 17, 2018 | 11:00 AM

TORONTO — Tristan Thompson credits his stint with Canada’s national basketball team this past summer for his solid NBA training camp.

The 27-year-old from Brampton, Ont., helped the Canadians to an 85-77 victory over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying game Sept. 13 in Laval, Que., then reported for Cleveland’s camp less than a week later.

“I came into camp rolling,” Thompson said before Wednesday morning’s shootaround at Scotiabank Arena. “It was great, I was able to play with the national team, get a week of practice and some games under my belt so it was very beneficial for myself and I think it was beneficial for Cory (Joseph) and Kelly (Olynyk) to go to Montreal and get a win and also get ready for the NBA season. It was a great experience.”

Thompson and the Cavaliers were in Toronto to tip off the NBA season later Wednesday against the Raptors.

The 6-10 forward averaged 5.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 53 regular-season games last year, missing chunks of the season with injuries. 

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Thompson had 10 points and nine rebounds in Canada’s victory over Brazil, which capped a week-long camp in Montreal. It was the final game the Canadians were able to use their NBA players in World Cup qualifying. Joseph (Indiana), Olynyk (Miami), and Khem Birch (Orlando) also all reported to their NBA teams days later. Minus its NBA personnel, the Canadians rolled over host Chile 84-61 in Valdivia on Sept. 17.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Thompson, who was slated to start against Toronto on Wednesday, had “one of his best camps in a while.”

“Understanding what we’re trying to do, being a veteran and understanding what we’ve done over the last four years and the culture we’ve tried to set,” Lue said. “And he’s been really good being with the young guys, trying to teach them what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively, so he’s been great.”

Toronto centre Jonas Valanciunas has had some epic battles with Thompson, particularly in the playoffs, where last season Cleveland dispatched the Raptors for the third consecutive year.

“He’s active, a strong side of his is rebounding,” Valanciunas said, on what he expected from Wednesday’s rematch. “My job is to block him out and push him out from those rebounds. It’s always fun to battle with him, I’m looking for those kinds of battles. He’s physical, he’s crashing every time offensively and defensively . . . he’s my type of guy.”

Cleveland swept Toronto in the post-season, which led to the firing of head coach Dwane Casey and the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard for DeMar DeRozan.

The Cavaliers were swept by Golden State in the NBA finals. 

Canada’s World Cup qualifying, meanwhile, continues with road games Nov. 30 against Venezuela and Dec. 3 against Brazil.

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press