My dad, he always played soccer.
Tristan Thompson
I understand my teammates. I know which teammates you can get on during the game, and which respond better to constructive criticism.
In any household, whenever you are a family that's going through something tough - whether it's an illness or whatever the case may be, families tend to close their doors and become more private.
Any award the NBA gives you, whether it's on the court or off the court, it's definitely an honor.
We've all got different ways to deal with adversity as pros, but if you want it and you want to be great, you've got to make it happen and fight through it.
I started playing basketball at such a late age.
If I don't play, that's fine as long as we're winning I'm going to cheer my teammates on.
If a guy is shooting a shot in the corner 70 percent of the missed shots usually come off that other side and 30 percent hits off the front rim so just playing the percentages and kind of studying your teammates' shots throughout the course of the game.
If you look back at Greek mythology and even back before World War 1, every time a team would go out to battle, they'd eat first.
The key is to keep playing hard and the rest will take care of itself.
Don't put the fast food in your body. Yeah, there are a couple days where you want some Burger King. That's fine, but you can't rely on that stuff. You have to eat healthy, get your carbs, get your rest.
I've played center, power forward. Wherever I can help my team be successful, whether that's playing power forward or center, I'm going to come out and do my job. Nothing changes.
Just play hard, compete, energy, hit the offensive glass.
Of course, it's a huge luxury having LeBron on our team. At the same time, we have to be ready to play and we have to do our job.
We don't got to talk to each other off the court. As long as we talk on the court, on the defensive end, that's all that matters to me.
So with the skinnier guys, you definitely want to make sure you get a body on them; that's how you take away big guy's length, by getting into their bodies.
You can talk all you want but I'm definitely going to bark back.
Being considered for Sixth Man is definitely something that is pleasing.
When you look at not just for Sixth Man but also for any award in the NBA even when it comes to the MVP, you should look at their impact to their team.
Whoever's in the game has got to be ready to play, take the scout serious and understand what we're doing. If you don't know what to do, ask questions.
Guys see that I come to work every day, punch the clock. They see that, and I think my voice is respected because of it.
Me, guarding the best post players in the league, it definitely takes a toll on your body. But that's why I get massages regularly, cold tub, foot baths, rest and the weight room.
The big goal is playing in June, so I'd rather be in the best shape I can be in health-wise than be dragging with nagging injuries or not being 100 percent trying to get to the Finals.
Yeah, I definitely like broadcasting. And I'm looking forward to getting into it when my career is done.
I understand that at the end of the day it's about winning and if you win, we all look good - whether you come of the bench or you start.
As long as we win, that's all that matters and everything else will take care of itself.
Our goal is to play into late June and don't take the process for granted.
Guard some point guards, late shot clock, hopefully they miss.
I think you have to be physical no matter who you're playing against, so that's just something that I have to do.
Coming off the bench, I'm able to view the game, see how their bigs are playing. And what I bring to the table is energy. The starters go in and run their bigs for a bit. When I check in it's time to punch the clock and play hard.
I think it's important at the end of the day you know obviously playing in the NBA is a great thing, but representing your country at the highest level is something totally different.
Obviously, everyone wants to play in the NBA but I think if you handle what's in front of you first you'll get your chance when your name is called.
The weight room prevents you from getting injuries, keeps your body durable and, working out even during the season, it helps a lot. It keeps your body loose, it keeps strengthening your body, especially the functional stuff.
Being able to play a whole season, play every game and start every game means a lot.
Guys are going to talk. We're going to respond... they aren't going to punk us. Not me. They're not going to punk Tristan Thompson.
It's the playoffs; you have to pick up the intensity.
It's the playoffs. Teams are gonna go on runs.
I think that's my job to be a little nasty - to bring that energy, protect the paint and really just protect our guys. That's the role of a big man. It's not cute; it's not pretty being a big. You have to come in and do the little things, do the dirty work.
The bruisers and the bump-and-grind guys, use your athleticism on the floor, try to wear them out - run them through a lot of pick-and-rolls, run the floor, do a lot more athletic stuff just to try to wear them down.
Well, history always repeats itself, so there's probably a baby Shaq out there in a crib somewhere, sipping on a bottle, and when he gets old enough, he'll bring the post-up center back.
In the postseason, every possession counts, so it's the little things.
Sometimes, it's the little plays that I make that can change the outcome of the game - whether it's blocking a shot or blitzing a guard or getting an offensive rebound.
Obviously I love playing the game of basketball. That's what God blessed me to do.
If I came in and didn't rebound, that would look bad on my part. People would be wondering, what was he doing the whole time?
Some guys have to score more off the bench because that's what their team needs. But some other teams need someone that's going to assist or rebound. It all depends on what he brings to that team and how much it helps their win-loss record and how much they change their team.
I'm a team-first guy.
At the end of the day, coaches, fans, everyone can live with the team playing hard and giving an effort. Fall short, you can live with those results. But if you're not giving yourself an effort or a fight, you've got no chance in this league.
If you don't fight you don't give yourself a chance.
I want to guard the best wings and big on every team. I want to make their night tough to gain that respect defensively around the league.
Goal of mine is to make first team All-Defense. The way you do that is guarding the best players.
