Boston Celtics: HoopsHabit prefers Thompson to Theis as starter

Another of FanSided premiere basketball sites, HoopsHabit, believes the Boston Celtics starting center battle should be won by Tristan Thompson over Daniel Theis.

The Boston Celtics spent $19 million, or $9.5 million over the next two seasons, to bring Tristan Thompson aboard this offseason. That number is almost double the salary incumbent starting center Daniel Theis makes after the team signed him to a below-market deal last offseason with a second-year team option they obviously exercised.

What does that mean for the team moving forward? Is Thompson going to usurp Theis based on the numbers alone?

HoopsHabit’s Justin Trombino (a former member of Hardwood Houdini) believes Thompson should get the job based on his superior rebounding abilities:

"Theis has solidified himself as a worthy starter for this team. He has all of the intangibles that compile to being a perfect fit for this Celtics group. However, one important element that has been limited in Theis’ overall game from the center position is rebounding and that’s where Thompson takes a slight edge in the debate."

As Trombino goes on to explain, Thompson may be the missing ingredient Brad Stevens’ teams have lacked since arriving in Beantown:

"Over the last two seasons, Thompson has averaged at least 10 rebounds per game and has ranked in the top 20 in total rebounds six times throughout his career, including last season when he finished 14th in the NBA. Along with his great efforts off the glass, Thompson has averaged a double-double over the last two seasons.The Celtics have lacked in the rebounding department and second-chance efforts in the Brad Stevens coaching era. Thompson’s presence on the court adds immediate value in both of those regards for the Celtics."

Quite honestly, the idea of Thompson starting holds a ton of merit. He was in the first five for the Cleveland Cavaliers when they toppled the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Championship and was a hindrance for Boston drives to the rim in two consecutive Eastern Conference finals matchups in 2017-18.

He has always given 110% effort in his career, and that was playing for a toxic culture where players always seemed to publicly show how unhappy they were. When a team can’t keep their business in-house…yikes…

Is that the pot calling the kettle black somewhat, especially after all of the drama the Boston Celtics locker-room has played host to over the past few seasons? Perhaps.

But either way, Thompson survived playing for Dan Gilbert’s franchise. He should excel in green and white, especially if he can nab the starting job. That might be tough considering injuries will keep him out of the start of training camp, but ultimately he should be able to find his groove under a coach in Brad Stevens that has developed centers well the past few seasons–Theis being an example of that.