Tristan Thompson Quotes

Being out there, I know how to play the game and know my spots. Just get rebounds, block shots, defend.

I built my career in the league playing defense and making shots, and also making plays when I needed to.

I think I'm a good offensive player, good defensive player. I do it on both ends of the floor.

I do all the dirty work: play defense, grab rebounds, block shots and finish strong around the rim.

My job is just to make the right play, read the defense, shoot if it's there, and make plays for my team.

I feel like I can run the floor well, rebound and block shots and let the offense come.

I still have a lot of confidence in my offensive game. I try to get guys involved and get in the lane, but defense is my backbone.

I pride myself on defending and rebounding.

I couldn't shoot and I couldn't score in high school. All I could do is dunk and play defense.

I feel I've proved I can rebound, block shots, get steals and pass the ball, too.

My on-the-court game was ordinary. I had a jumper but needed screens. I could go right but not left.

I think the Pistons have such a well rounded team, which is why they're so successful. All you have to do is look at the stats defensively and at their rebounding and scoring.

People have to understand what my game is. It's not all about numbers. There's a bigger picture here. I don't create off the dribble. I rely on my teammates; my role is to set screens and get rebounds.

You see what happens in college and high school games today - a three-point shot or a dunk. I think that's the reason that you see a lot of that in the pros today.

I think a lot of people have the idea that all I do is dunk and all I do is make layups.

'The Memphis Grizzlies' are always a great defensive team and defense is one of my strengths, so I think that's one thing that I can bring to this team.

Everyone sees me as a defensive-minded guy, but both sides of the court are important. If you want to win, you have to be good on both sides.

Defense is something I've always taken pride in from college and high school.

The value of a Bismack Biyombo is the speed and agility that he has at the center position.

That's how I grew up. Just play defense - and make a basket.

In college, I got better at playing the 2, kind of got a feel for it coming off screens, found my rhythm. Before that I was a natural point guard.

You can't just score more points than last year without playing defense.

I always enjoy when CJ gets rolling because it's not just the fact that he's doing it for our team; it's the way it looks. Smooth. Crossovers. Crafty. Tough shots.

I want to be an offensive player, too. Play low post, midrange, take jump shots, and just be the best I can be.

I like the uniqueness and creativity you can have on a basketball court; there's always a different way to score. Obviously, you have teammates, so it's easier to draw up plays, and tennis, you have your patterns and where you should hit based on percentage.