Tristan Thompson is still confident the Cavaliers are the leaders of the East, even with LeBron James' departure.
The star center pointed to Cleveland's four Eastern Conference championship titles, but went on to take a shot at the Celtics, 76ers and Raptors.
“We’re still 4-time Eastern Conference champions, so until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say," Thompson told reporters Thursday. "Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say. Boston had home court Game 7 and lost. Philly, you guys almost got swept. Toronto — we know that story."
At least one player in the Eastern Conference heard Thompson's comments and responded on social media as Celtics forward Marcus Morris took a shot of his own at the Cavaliers.
Morris wrote on Twitter, in part: "@RealTristan13 Cut it out. Get that vacation ready early this year fam! Ain’t sh— going through the Cavs this year! #facts" with five laughing emojis in response to Thompson's claim.
The Cavaliers are coming off a season in which they made it to the NBA Finals before being swept by the Warriors, but they did that with James. After playing four seasons in his second stint with Cleveland, James signed with the Lakers during the offseason.
The Cavaliers will now have to face a young 76ers team and a strong Boston squad, who will have two of its star players back with Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving returning from injuries.
Ещё видео!