Tyrus Thomas Options

[SoxFan1]

His last 3 full games...

16 pt, 5 rb vs NJ
22 pt, 9 rb vs CHA
16 pt, 12 rb vs DET

Right now, there is no sense in trading him unless he was part of a package for a good player. He's helping the team and with his improved play, raising his trade value. His play of late has put me in quite a predicament. I like it because he is raising his trade value, but if it really is starting to click for him, then he could be an incredible asset to the team.

With that said, he'll probably have 2 points and 4 fouls in 11 minutes the next game. If I'm John Paxson, I'm on the phone right now trying to sell Tyrus as hard as I can in a package for a legit big man or legit scorer.

[Balta1701-B]

Jaw drops.

[jorgefabregas]

He's shooting 53% from the field and 91% from the line in December. His turnovers have dropped from 3.4/48 min in October and 4.6/48 min in November to 1.2/48. His personal fouls/48 have gone from 6.6 in November to 4.7 in December. In other words, he is no longer playing like a total spaz.

[Cowch]

Thank you Gooden for getting his head straight.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

Tyrus has the talent but playing smart can do wonders for him. He may not be the most creative around the basket and he may never be but if he picks his spots and takes smart shots, he can be a productive player. The last three games he has done exactly what I envisioned coming out of the draft; I hope he can keep this up!

[D. Rose]

It would be wonderful.

[Balta1701-B]

8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 fouls in 18 minutes in the first 1/2 against Atlanta.

Aside from his totally inexplicable benching in favor of the smallest lineup possible against the Heat he just keeps on performing lately.

[ZoomSlowik]

8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 fouls in 18 minutes in the first 1/2 against Atlanta.

Aside from his totally inexplicable benching in favor of the smallest lineup possible against the Heat he just keeps on performing lately.

Huh? I won't argue that he hasn't played better his last few games, but he played 26 minutes against the Heat. I swear, you won't be happy until he gets 40 every night...

[jorgefabregas]

I don't get to watch too many of the games, but does anyone else get the impression that Tyrus is a pretty lousy defender? Not shot blocker, but 1-on-1 defender. Here are the line scores of opposing power forwards lately:
Nowitski 44 pts 16-34, 9 reb
David West 24 Pts 7-17, 14 reb
Scola 13 pts, 5-13, 18 reb
Amare 12 pts, 4-7, 6 reb
Jason Thompson 15 pts, 5-9, 12 reb
Brian Skinner 6 pts. 3-6, 5 reb
Kevin Love (not the starter, but played the most minutes) 19 pts, 8-11, 15 rebs
Bosh, 17 pts, 6-17, 6 rebs

I guess those lines aren't too bad for the most part. Hmm.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

I don't get to watch too many of the games, but does anyone else get the impression that Tyrus is a pretty lousy defender? Not shot blocker, but 1-on-1 defender. Here are the line scores of opposing power forwards lately:
Nowitski 44 pts 16-34, 9 reb
David West 24 Pts 7-17, 14 reb
Scola 13 pts, 5-13, 18 reb
Amare 12 pts, 4-7, 6 reb
Jason Thompson 15 pts, 5-9, 12 reb
Brian Skinner 6 pts. 3-6, 5 reb
Kevin Love (not the starter, but played the most minutes) 19 pts, 8-11, 15 rebs
Bosh, 17 pts, 6-17, 6 rebs

I guess those lines aren't too bad for the most part. Hmm.

That is not true at all. If anything, Tyrus is our best post defender and by a pretty substantial margin.

[jorgefabregas]

Well, Tyrus only played 20 minutes in some of those games so that's entirely plausible.

[SoxFan1]

That is not true at all. If anything, Tyrus is our best post defender and by a pretty substantial margin.

He is a terrible 1 on 1 defender. Please, for the love of God, get off his jock for once. Damn near ALL his blocks come from help defense, and even then, he isn't good at rotating.

[Balta1701-B]

Well, Tyrus only played 20 minutes in some of those games so that's entirely plausible.

There's a bunch of other issues here too. Look at some of those guys...West, Nowitski...where are they the most effective? IMO, it's in the non-traditional PF spot where they get their points outside. TT is far more effective inside currently, where his length and shot blocking are there. Perhaps in time he'll be able to better use his quickness outside as well.

But, also consider what else is going on. Noah has been moderately effective lately, but he's always in foul trouble, which takes away a key part of our interior defense. And on top of that, we have a coach who thinks that a lineup with Nocioni at PF is a good idea 20 minutes every game. Both of those will hurt our interior defense too.

Good news is...TT is still improving in that aspect of his game. He's noticeably better than last year on D.

[ZoomSlowik]

The Bulls allow tons of big men to have dominant performances against them. Off the top of my head, Yao, Jefferson, Camby, Dampier, Collison, K-Mart and Nene and Pryzbilla and Oden all had very good games against them as well, and I'm probably forgetting a bunch more. Noah and Thomas have the length and athleticism to bother guys, but overall the Bulls have one of the worst defensive frontcourts in the league. They don't have the bulk to consistently stop true power players and they also give up a ton of open jumpers. Against weaker frontcourts they can do fine (and against Phoenix somehow), but they'll still need an upgrade to be a real threat to do anything.

[Chicago Bulls Fr...]

He is a terrible 1 on 1 defender. Please, for the love of God, get off his jock for once. Damn near ALL his blocks come from help defense, and even then, he isn't good at rotating.

False. He is a pretty good 1 on 1 defender. Certainly not all NBA defense great but if there is a best on the team its Tyrus.