OAKLAND — Tristan Thompson is not flashy.

He won't drain three-pointers like the Splash Brothers, handle the ball like Kyrie Irving or, despite his immense athleticism, throw down show-stopping dunks like LeBron James very often.

But the Brampton, Ont. native sure can rebound, particularly on the offensive end.

Quietly, Thompson has put up some historic numbers at the Finals over the past two seasons. His relentless work on the glass gives the Cavaliers many second chances. They didn't necessarily need them in Game 5, because LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were so good, but most nights, his contributions go a long way.

Thompson believes he sets the tone with how hard he plays.

“I feel like that's my job. That's what I bring to the team -my energy and my toughness and my aggressiveness,” Thompson said earlier in the series.

“That's all positives for our team. I need to bring that from the opening tip. That helps us establish it better as a team.”

The numbers Thompson has been able to average are remarkable.

Only Moses Malone (a ridiculous 7.2 per game in 10 appearances) has averaged more Finals offensive rebounds per game than Thompson's 5.2. Only Malone and Roy Tarpley have averaged more than Thompson's 4.4 offensive rebounds in the playoffs as a whole (he ranks just ahead of superstars Charles Barkley, Dwight Howard and Shaq) and he's 14th overall — ever — in regular season play.

Overall, as a rebounder, he has averaged the fifth-most ever at the Finals (11.8), behind only Malone, Wes Unseld, Tim Duncan and Shaq.

Obviously Thompson doesn't have the total package like those in front of him, but as a specialist, what he has been able to do is unparalleled. It's a combination of athleticism, effort and instincts that allows Thompson to be so dominant on the boards.

He's even like that in practice.

“It's not a, 'I'm a little banged up, so I'm not going to practice today,'” Cavs forward Iman Shumpert said of Thompson's habits. “He comes out and practices and he goes all out. Every offensive rebound, yelling, screaming, he's intense all the time, so he definitely is reaping the benefits from his work.”

Thompson enjoys going after it.

“If you ain't ready to get in the jungle, you can't come on this court. It's the Finals, baby,” he said. “Nothing soft down there. Hand to hand combat, bumping and grinding, it’s part of being a big, that’s what you signed up for when you’re that tall.”

Thompson was asked whether he feels underrated.

“Do I feel underrated? I feel appreciated. I do my job, guys know what I can do. Everyone here needs a role,” he said.

The hope is Thompson will suit up for Canada for its last-chance Olympic qualifying tournament in the Philippines, but Thompson rightly said his focus at the moment is with the Cavs, he'll figure out what comes next when the season ends.

MVP CHASE WIDE OPEN

Andre Iguodala was a surprising Finals MVP winner a year ago and has a good case this year, along with a number of players.

Once again, it is wide open.

James, Curry and Irving have each been spectacular at times, but struggled at others, while Iguodala had a bad outing in Game 5 to hurt his chances.

Meanwhile, Draymond Green might have the best stats and the Warriors looked dreadful without him, but he is going to lose votes because he hurt the team so badly by not having self-control.

One person with a vote told Postmedia there was no way they would pick Green after he got himself suspended, no matter what he did the rest of the way.

AROUND THE RIM

Marc Spears of The Undefeated reported Tuesday that Green was “near tears” when informed about his suspension … Kyrie Irving's two free throws were the fewest ever by a player with a 40-point game in the Finals. His effective field goal percentage of 81.3 was the highest-ever in a 40-point Finals game … Thompson now has 84 offensive rebounds and 85 defensive rebounds in 19 playoff games this season. Only late New York Knicks forward Anthony Mason averaged more offensive than defensive rebounds (minimum 100 rebounds) in one playoff year … One of Klay Thompson's goals for Game 6 after seeing Irving go off: “You definitely don't hold your head down. You've got to come out Thursday with the same mindset to play hard-nosed and try and limit him to maybe 20, not 41.”