Lakers News: Tristan Thompson Discusses Deep Friendship With LeBron James

The ex-Cavs teammates know a thing or two about deep playoff runs.

One of the newest additions to your Los Angeles Lakers, veteran center Tristan Thompson, spoke at length with Marc J. Spears of Andscape about his relationship with All-NBA Los Angeles small forward LeBron James.

The 6'9" big man previously played alongside James with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014-18, appearing in four consecutive NBA Finals together. 

“Me and Bron’s connection go way bigger than basketball,” Thompson said. “I’ve known him since [I was] 17, so I’ve always had a crazy respect for him. There’s a brotherhood that’s deep. So, I just feel like he knows how to bring the best out of me, and I just know what he wants from a center or a veteran. We work like yin and yang. We understand each other even without saying stuff. So that’s just built over time, and I had this opportunity."

Head coach Darvin Ham has raved about Thompson's ability to fit into his role with LA, as essentially a key locker room presence and low-key player-coach.

“Whenever I would see him he’d have great, great energy,” Ham said. “He is a very high IQ, knowledgeable basketball player who had that championship DNA. I felt like we needed a veteran voice that was not going to just come in and be on the young guys, but everybody. He has the respect. It’s not just meaningless chatter. He has the respect of everyone, everything, every scenario. And these guys listen to him, especially our veteran players and coaches.

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