CLEVELAND

There was no “lightbulb” moment for Tristan Thompson.

The Cleveland Cavaliers power forward had excellent coaching growing up playing hoops in Brampton and Toronto, but he didn’t need anyone to sell him on the value of hard work on the court and the benefits reaped from constantly going all out.

“Nah, I think it was just the way I played, my style of play always was to play with energy and play with extra effort,” Thompson told the Toronto Sun during a recent off-day.

“Nobody had to really tell me, I just knew that’s what I brought to the table and I just felt that as bigs that’s what you need to do and then everything else is just icing on the cake.”

Thompson has made his presence felt throughout the playoffs. The Cavaliers were supposed to be lost when Kevin Love went down, but they’ve been better with Thompson dominating the glass. He is averaging a Finals-best 13.8 rebounds per game and 10.7 per game in the playoffs.

He has constantly kept his team in games with his ferociousness on the offensive boards, giving them chance after chance. At one point in Game 4, five Warriors players surrounded Thompson, yet he came away with the rebound. At times, Golden State double-teams him on the boards.

Thompson says he admired Dennis Rodman growing up and it shows. Like Rodman, he is an artist when it comes to rebounding and like the Worm, he isn’t concerned about scoring points, only about hustling and doing everything else to help his team win.

Cavaliers veteran James Jones has quickly become a big fan.

“You ask him, he’ll tell you that Dennis Rodman was relentless, all those guys, I had a chance to see from afar, but I’ve seen him up close and personal, so I’m biased,” Jones told the Sun.

“I think you’re born with the physical attributes, but it’s a mental desire that you have to develop (in order to become an elite hustle player like Thompson),” he said.

“I haven’t seen anyone like him, personally. If he continues to develop, I think a lot of people will be saying that about him for years to come.”

Thompson is playing huge minutes for the injury-ravaged Cavaliers (42 a night in this series), but he never looks like he needs a rest.

“There’s no more basketball after this. Everyone’s tired, from the coaching staff, to one through 15. It has been a long season, but you cant let fatigue be your Achille’s heel right now,” Thompson said.

“Shoot, I’m 24, I ain’t got no excuse to be tired. No excuse.

Though head coach David Blatt thought his players were a bit gassed by the end of Game 4, Thompson again denied he was.

“No, I’m not tired. Coach is out there seeing stuff so if he sees guys are fatigued, so be it. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m fatigued. I’m far from it,” he said.

SMITH must improve

J.R. Smith arrived at the arena on a Segway Thursday, and nearly fell on his face when he hit some carpet.

When the game started, he actually pretty much did fall on his face, shooting just 2-for-12, including 0-for-8 on three-pointers and is now at 25% from three for the series on a whopping seven attempts per game.

That’s not nearly good enough, and Smith knows it.

Asked to assess his game following Game 4, Smith was blunt: “Horses---,” Smith said.

Smith said he has an idea of how to get back on track.

“Stop thinking so much and just go out there and play. Be more than just a shooter, go out there and defend, rebound and create plays for everyone else,” he said.

He has compiled only three assists in the series so far (none in the first two games) and has only a single steal and 14 total rebounds.

LeBron James said he believes in Smith. “You don’t give up on anyone,” James said.

“We all got to this point together, and you stick with them. He’s been huge for our team all year. We wouldn’t be at this point without him. So hopefully he can get it going, which we believe.”

Iman Shumpert shot just 2-for-9 and the Cavaliers will consider reinserting Smith as a starter.

IGGY POPS

Steve Kerr says Andre Iguodala has been the best Warriors player in the series and his teammates agree.

Once 125-1 to win Finals MVP, now, Iguodala is the co-favourite with James.

“Guarding LeBron, he’s been aggressive on the offensive end. I mean, he’s been phenomenal for us. He’s been that steady force in every game in this series for us,” said Green.

As always, Iguodala has stayed modest.

“As far as the series, I think it’s just about playing the game the right way, and our team has been really good at just letting it flow, and whoever’s night it is, that is the guy’s night,” Iguodala said.

“Whether it’s playing one on one defence, getting steals, rebounds, blocking shots, he does it all,” added Stephen Curry.