It’s been quite a Summer 2016 for Tristan Thompson, who helped Cleveland win its first championship since 1964 and was a crucial component to the Cavaliers winning their first title in franchise history.
Among many of Thompson’s valuable traits is his durability. The forward has the longest active streak of consecutive games played in the NBA, appearing in 370 straight regular season games (411 including Playoffs) and rather than take time off to rest this Summer, he decided to play for his country and help give them a chance to make the Olympics for the first time since 2000.
No one would have criticized Thompson if he would have opted to rest. He’s earned it with his hard-work and long season, and other notable Canadians passed on the opportunity, including 2015 #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
When it was announced that Wiggins, among other NBA players from Canada, would not participate on the national team this Summer, it did not look like Canada had a great shot to qualify for the Olympics.
Canada came into the 2016 FIBA Tournament ranked 26th in men’s basketball out of 91 countries.
To get to the Qualifying Tournament Final, they had to get past Turkey (8th), Senegal (31), and New Zealand (21).
Thompson has been an instrumental part of his team’s success in all three games, averaging ten points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He continues to perform in the ways that have made him so valuable throughout his career in Cleveland, and told FIBA.com after Saturday’s win over New Zealand “For me, it’s about just coming in and bringing my energy. From day one, we’ve had roles that were identified, and it’s about doing that role and competing every night. We just have to play hard and not worry about the stats. For me, it’s just about doing whatever it takes to win because winning trumps everything.”
Doing this with a team where the only well-known NBA player on the roster aside from Thompson was Cory Joseph was far from a guarantee, but Canada has received solid play from role players like Thomas Scrubb, Tyler Ennis, Melvin Ejim, and even Anthony Bennett, who have each contributed to all-around great team basketball throughout the first three games.
Now Thompson and Team Canada have a great chance in front of them, as they take on France to determine who gets the final spot in the Olympics.
France enters play ranked fifth of all 91 countries. They have several well-known NBA players, including Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, and Boris Diaw.
It would be quite an upset if Canada pulls it off and would be just the tenth time in Canadian basketball history that they appear in the Olympics.
Canada has won just one medal in its nine previous appearances in the Olympics, earning a Bronze Medal in the 1936 Games in Berlin.
Of course winning the NBA Finals was a dream come true for Thompson, but it could become an even more amazing Summer if he can help his country earn a spot in Rio and possibly bring home a medal.
When FIBA.com asked Thompson about the grind he has gone through this season, playing over 100 games between the regular season and Playoffs, the forward said, “It has definitely been a long year for me, but that’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to be able to play in the Finals and then coming here to be able to represent my country. For me, of course, it’s a good thing that I’m just 25. Ask me the same question when I’m 35, and I’ll surely have a different answer. Right now, we just have to take advantage of the opportunity, and tomorrow we have a great chance to make history.”
Fans can stream Sunday morning’s championship match between Canada and France on ESPN 3 via WATCHESPN at 9 AM ET.
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