How was Tristan Thompson a top 5 draft pick?

[EBK String]

what did he do in college to make the league think he was anything more than an adequate role player?

 

[jdubnyce]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Texas 36 34 30.7.546 .000 .487 7.8 1.3 .9 2.4 13.1

 

[CantStop]

2011 top 10 draft was weak as hell.

 

[Samson]

Him being a top 5 pick is insane when you consider Kemba Walker (they also took Kyrie in the same draft), Jonas Valančiūnas, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler were drafted after him.

 

[Noah]

Athletic, great rebounder, great energy, good measurables, looked like he had some potential.... 2011 draft was interesting, lotto was hit-or-miss as far as finding a star/building block goes, but a ton of quality players and even some stars sprinkled throughout the rest of the draft. Probably wasn't worthy of a #4 pick but he's proven to be valuable for the Cavs.

 

[Rigby.]

A lot of those pieces that are better now that went after were also projects. They just had work ethic and some actual potential other than jumping and turnaround baby hooks

 

[CouldBeWorse]

Cleveland had a top 5 draft pick

 

[Stick Up Kid]

he actually played a huge role in winning a title in 2015

10 points
13 rebounds
2 blocks

including 16 rebounds and (8 offensive in game 5)

what has Kemba ever done? or Valančiūnas?

 

[DoubleClutch]

Toronto Canadian talent was being overrated around that time

 

[WesCrook]

*Looks at NBA Draft on Wikipedia*

Heck, I still would have picked him in that slot....even in retrospect

*With the exception of Kawhi and Klay, of course*