Coming off a 2016-17 season in which he started all 78 of his appearances for the Cleveland Cavaliers, big man Tristan Thompson will move to the bench following head coach Tyronn Lue's decision to start All-Star Kevin Love at the five spot.
Thompson is optimistic about his newfound role and will use it as motivation as he pursues the NBA's year-end award honoring the league's best backup.
"You know, Imma go for Sixth Man of the Year. Put myself in a position to do that," Thompson said Monday, according to Cleveland.com. "Just play hard, though.
"Don't want to look too much into it. But, if you're coming off the bench, might as well have a little goal. I feel like with the second unit we have, and the energy I bring off the bench, I put myself in a pretty good position, especially when we win."
Since joining the Cavaliers three years ago, Love - traditionally a power forward - has played 43 percent of his minutes at center. This lineup change will presumably slot Jae Crowder in at the four, providing more spacing and clearing out the paint for slashing guards like Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade.
When Cleveland captured the 2016 championship, Thompson suited up for a full 82-game slate, but only started 34 times. Having gone through this song and dance before, the 26-year-old knows there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
"It's fine. I definitely know where T-Lue is coming from. It was definitely tough. I could see when I was talking to him," Thompson added. "I told him I'm one guy you don't have to worry about. I'm a team-first guy, and I understand that at the end of the day, it's about winning, and if you win, we all look good - whether you come off the bench or you start. And it's not about who starts the game, it's about who is in the game in the fourth and who is finishing it.
"So I'm not worried. The last time I came off the bench, and if history repeats itself, we'll have a parade in June. So I'll take it."
Thompson averaged 8.1 points and 9.2 rebounds on 60 percent shooting last season.
