DESPITE the departure of LeBron James, Tristan Thompson insists the rest of the East still have to go through the Cleveland Cavaliers to earn the title as the best team in the conference.
The Cavs center rattled off top challengers Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto, reminding them of their recent failures in the last NBA playoffs.
Ben Axelrod of WKYC posted a video of Thompson’s interview.
“We’re still four-time Eastern Conference champions, so until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say,” Thompson said. “Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say. Boston had homecourt Game 7 and lost. Philly, you guys almost got swept. Toronto - we know that story.”
Tristan Thompson: “We’re still 4-time Eastern Conference champions, so until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say. Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say. Boston had homecourt Game 7 and lost. Philly, you guys almost got swept. Toronto - we know that story” pic.twitter.com/gnGqd4mGeM
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) September 27, 2018
Thompson was referring to the Celtics’ loss to the Cavs in the deciding game of the Eastern Finals, while the 76ers lost to the Celtics in just five games in their best-of-seven conference semifinals.
The Raptors have lost to the Cavs thrice in a row in their playoff matchups, the latest in the last conference semifinals.
But the Cavs did all that with James, who has bolted for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.
The star players on those contending teams have fired back at Thompson, as compiled by Bleacher Report.
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