Lakers News: Tristan Thompson Faces Fan Ire While Glued To LA Bench In Game 1

Is he LA's new Adam Morrison?

Playing at the start of an epic Sunday slate of playoff basketball, your Los Angeles Lakers won a surprising road game against the higher-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, 128-112. The team actually seems well-positioned to pull off an upset series victory now, thanks in part to its terrific two-way performance on the floor and in part due to Memphis' litany of injuries, including to two really important bigs (plus a third, unimportant frontcourt piece, who could be back at some point) and All-Star point guard Ja Morant.

One Laker who seems unlikely to make any impact whatsoever on the hardwood in this series, or indeed any series this year, is deep-bench big Tristan Thompson, the former LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers teammate who was added on the final day of the regular season to the team as center insurance.

That didn't stop LA fans and general media folks alike from absolutely roasting him while he was trapped on the bench in that first game -- starting from even before the game tipped off:

On the pro journalist side, Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic read every Lakers fan's mind later in the proceedings:

so weird that Tristan Thompson is here

— Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) April 16, 2023

Thompson being such a late-season edition did make him feel like a bit of a sore thumb during his emphatic celebrations:

Tristan Thompson celebrating on the Lakers bench pic.twitter.com/VRwvArt1xS

— Playmaker (@playmaker) April 16, 2023

Exhibit B:

Tristan Thompson on the lakers pic.twitter.com/3WJs8aMhkn

— Johnell (@johnellpannell) April 16, 2023

Even those celebrations were not free from extreme critique:

What is Tristan Thompson doing?? 😂😭#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/OmqlH2H8LI

— Kiks (@kiksfoo) April 16, 2023

Thompson started getting the Adam Morrison treatment from fans, too (although Carlton Banks' Burner isn't wrong):

Other fans were complimentary about the apparent depth and variety of Thompson's bench celebrations:

Tristan Thompson came ready to cheer on the bench he know all the celebrations boy was studying 😂

— CHASE. (@ChaseNCashe) April 16, 2023

The name of another Lakers non-great was invoked in depicting just how much bench cheerleading Thompson will do this offseason:

Tristan Thompson finna have the greatest cheer leading highlights since Robert sacre

— Adam (@MainEventAce) April 16, 2023

At least Thompson was clearly enjoying himself?

Tristan Thompson having the time of his life on that bench

— kyle (@knicks_tape99) April 16, 2023

As yours truly stated earlier, I'm dubious that Thompson, who was set to become LA's fourth center but is now the sixth with Darvin Ham opting to use Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt as small-ball fives, will see a single second of in-game action for LA in these playoffs. 

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!