On Wednesday, Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković criticized veteran Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson, labeling him a “no-class” player following the Cavaliers’ 131-108 victory over the Raptors. Rajaković expressed that Thompson’s behavior demonstrated a lack of respect, stating, “What Tristan did there was no class and disrespectful. I’m not going to stand for that, for sure. I love when my team stands up for themselves. That was no class.” His frustration stemmed from Thompson’s two-handed dunk in the game’s closing moments.
After the final buzzer, Raptors players Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead confronted Thompson, while some fans expressed their discontent with boos directed at the Cavaliers’ big man. In response to Rajaković’s comments, Thompson took to social media, arguing that the Raptors were employing a “full court press” despite being down by double digits late in the game.
“You want to full court press with under a minute left in the game when you’re down by 30? This will happen to you. Lose for the draft lottery and be happy, buddy boy. Hopefully, you and most of your guys see the light at the end of Bobby and Masai’s long-term plan. Bless up, stay warm in MY CITY,” Thompson wrote.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson remarked that he did not fully grasp Thompson’s mindset during the incident but believed there were no “bad intentions” behind the dunk. “I’m not sure what he was thinking. Sometimes, though, you’re playing the game, and you just have a reaction. I know with Tristan, there’s no bad intention there. I think just sometimes you’re playing, and the goal of the game is to score. Unfortunate,” Atkinson commented.
Thompson, a Canadian native, contributed four points in four minutes of play and is averaging 1.7 points and 3 rebounds per game over 28 games this season.
