TV20 Sports Report

By: Christian Patterson

In what seems to be an unconventional and surprising decision, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson has decided to switch up shooting hands from left to right.  Most NBA players are ambidextrous when it comes to ball-handling, but we have yet to see one start their career shooting with one hand and switch up to another hand because they thought it would be beneficial.

Tristan Thompson has been a left-handed shooter his entire life, now he’s giving up on being a southpaw to shoot jump-shots and free throws with his right hand.  Thompson is a very hard worker who has improved his game year by year in the league.  He’s come from being a role player his first year to starting all 82 games last season while averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds. 

The Cavaliers organization has hopped on board and they trust Thompson’s decision to make the switch.  The organization just wants Thompson to be the best player he can be for this franchise and if he thinks shooting with his right hand can help him reach that potential then they’re all for it.

Thompson is participating in the 2013 FIBA Americas tournament playing for the Canadian national team.  He is trying to perfect his right hand shot during this summer.  He is exceptionally strong when attacking the basket but he is a poor shooter from outside of 15 feet.  The Cavaliers organization has now hired Dave Love as a shooting coach for Thompson.  Love and Thompson have been working hard daily to master his new shot.  Hopefully next year when teams play off Thompson’s 15-foot jump-shot they’ll regret it.

I’m all for Thompson trying to expand his game and reach his full potential.  Hopefully he masters the shot before he really puts it to use during the season, because it’s a reason why no player in NBA history has attempted to make that adjustment.