Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Joe Harris Cleveland and Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson deflect an inbound pass intended for Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov in the fourth quarter. (Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer) November 17, 2014 at Quicken Loans Arena

(Gus Chan)

CLEVELAND, Ohio. – Tristan Thompson is the ultimate teammate and professional.

It's rare that such a young player is so selfless and giving. He has done everything asked of him without one single complaint.

Now he is being asked to return to the bench after starting the last eight games in the absence of Anderson Varejao, who is lost for the season. In that span, the fourth-year forward/center was averaging 13.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.

Thompson was informed Thursday that newly acquired big man Timofey Mozgov would start at center against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, a league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group. According to head coach David Blatt, Mozgov was expected to take his physical on Thursday and he would be available for the first game of their five-game West Coast road trip.

"He'll be out there playing and obviously he's going to contribute a lot for us," Blatt said.

As for Thompson, nothing changes his approach. His motto of "See ball, get ball" will persist regardless of if he's starting or not. When he was told of the demotion, that was the extent of the conversation, the source said.

He didn't have any gripes. His only concern is doing what's best for the team. Not only is his talent of extreme value, but also his character.

"I've come off the bench most of the season," Thompson said. "Whatever it takes for us to win. [I'll] come out and join the bench mob again. Bring the energy with myself, Delly [Matthew Dellavedova] and all the other guys so that's a role that I embrace and I'm trying to be the X-factor."

It is anticipated that Mozgov will drastically improve the team's defense at the rim. Thompson believes so, too.

"He's big, he's seven-foot, he's long, takes up space and he blocks shots," Thompson said Mozgov. "Playing with LeBron [James] and Kyrie [Irving] is only going to benefit him and we need a guy like that here."

James thinks highly of Thompson and it's no mystery why. The 23-year-old brute is just scratching the surface and was one of the attractive pieces that enticed James upon coming back home.

If this team is to reach its true potential, it's going to take continued sacrifices. Thompson is leading by example.

"Tristan is very valuable to this team," James told NEOMG in mid-December. "His relentlessness is contagious and it's something we need."