INDEPENDENCE — Perhaps a butt whoopin' was necessary — as long as you learn from it.
That's pretty much how Tristan Thompson described the Cavaliers' five-game playoff series loss to the New York Knicks a year ago, and he's not far off from being spot on. The Cavs struggled to shoot, which was a major problem, but they were also drastically outmuscled by a team that came out with a tougher demeanor, and it showed.
For a year, the Cavs have lived with that bitter taste in their mouths after a series that left them needing some shooting help, but also a level of toughness — maybe nastiness is the better term — to add some grit into a grinding playoff series, where the physicality (as they quickly learned) ramps up.
The Cavs' first chance to show they're a tougher, more ready squad begins at 1 p.m . Saturday with Game 1 against the Orlando Magic . They can't be bullied around the court again, or it'll be another early exit.
The Cavs added several players since they walked off the floor against the Knicks who should help in that regard, including Thompson, Marcus Morris Sr. , Max Strus and Georges Niang .
The Cavs were taken to school a bit last spring. Now they feel they're ready to punch back.
Thompson wasn't on the team last year, but he also has a wealth of playoff experience, including the 2016 Cavaliers championship team. He's been there and back.
"I think the guys that were on the team last year, I think that was good for them to get their ass whooped by a very tough New York team, because it let them know how tough the playoffs are," Thompson said Thursday. "And for the veterans than come back, myself, Max, Georges, we've been in playoff series, been in a handful, up or down, we know what it takes.
"So I think that's a good combination of guys that have had success, but also guys that have had failure that are hungry for more."
When does Thompson want that message, that the Cavs are bringing a new level of physicality to this series, delivered? In a word: immediately.
If the Cavs haven't proven they won't be pushed around like last year by the time fans in the stands have finished their pregame hot dogs and popcorn, it sounds as if Thompson will be chomping at the bit to express that sentiment himself.
"I think it's about which team can be the more physical team, and I think that you set that tone from the first five minutes of the game," Thompson said. "Regardless if it's a foul, you let the refs know that this is the style of basketball that we're going to play, and I think that's how you separate yourself and kind of make your mark for the journey to come."
The Cavs know they must take lessons learned from a year ago and apply them to this opening round if they hope to be the first Cleveland team to win a series without LeBron James on the roster in 30 years. They're also growing tired of talking about it.
Finally, on Saturday, they have the chance to turn the page.
"I don't do much talking about the past because I think you guys [local reporters], the city of Cleveland, their family, their parents, ESPN when we played the Knicks on TV, everyone's talked about last year," Thompson said. "I think the reality is, they know what happened last year. The one thing I would say that stands out is just the physicality. … So if we could take care of business in this series, I think it's a good stepping stone to what lies ahead."
After that loss to the Knicks, Cavs center Jarrett Allen commented that the lights were brighter than expected for a young team largely going through its first playoff series together.
"Even for me, the lights were brighter than expected," Allen said, to be exact .
Since that time, Allen has on occasion jokingly referred to those honest, candid comments throughout this season. It isn't to make light of the Cavs' loss, but simply a way to address the situation heading into Game 1, which is finally the first time Allen can put himself to the test again.
And as Allen joked Wednesday, he and his Cavaliers teammates prepared for the upcoming bright lights when the total solar eclipse hit Northeast Ohio on April 8.
"After the eclipse, we kept staring into the sun, so nothing can be as bright," Allen said with a smile. "So we'll be all right."
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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Tristan Thompson thinks Cavs' experience benefits them in playoffs
