The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers made their loyal fan base proud when they won the NBA Finals.
Years later, the 2024-25 Cavs are attempting to do the same thing.
There are many similarities between the two teams, but according to Tristan Thompson, there are just as many differences.
Speaking with Spencer Davies, Thompson opened up about the two teams because he’s the one person who played for both of them.
“It’s two totally different teams,” Thompson said. “This team is much more younger and hungry. The 2016 team, we had some youth with myself, Kyrie [Irving], [Iman Shumpert], but the other guys were all in their 30s. With this team, we got so much talent, we got so much depth. We’re the number one team in the East, so expectations are high. We got to make a deep run, and it’s kind of no excuse.”
“Expectations are high. We gotta make a deep run. It’s kind of no excuse (not to).”
Tristan Thompson was asked about the 2016 championship squad he was a part of compared to these #Cavs. pic.twitter.com/1oT9g3bjhX
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 18, 2025
That final statement from Thompson was very true: the expectations are high for the Cavaliers and they need to go far in the playoffs.
If they don’t find a lot of postseason success, their amazing regular season will be seen as a disappointment.
After years of quietly but steadily assembling a great and powerful squad, it’s time that the Cavaliers deliver on what the fans want.
Back in 2016, the team was led by Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and, of course, LeBron James.
That is quite the list of superstars, but Thompson says this group is younger and hungrier.
The 2016 squad had high expectations and much to prove, and they did.
The same is true for this team, but will they be able to get the job done or be one of those regular-season teams that weren’t able to convert to postseason greatness?
NEXT: Analyst Shuts Down Big Concern About Cavs Ahead Of Playoffs
