Tyrus, the inside scorer

by Incognito on Dec 30, 2006 5:22 PM CST

"The one thing I think we'd all like is the guy who plays with his back to the basket and scores those buckets inside, and maybe run some offense through [him]," Paxson said. "We'd like to have another [scorer] to complement what Ben can do."

inside scorer

Why can't Tyrus Thomas become the inside scorer? Is it possible that Pax is sending a meaasage to Tyrus to hold off on his quest to be a small forward and focus on the power forward position for now?

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I don't know

if Tyrus can be that guy yet. Ironically, Jordan said the same thing about TT. I think he has the capacity to be, but he needs to bulk up and learn some moves. Pax is right, and TT may have to do that role, but he is only a rook and needs time. I wonder if Pax is hinting at a trade to come!

Whenever you feel about complaining about the Bulls... just remember the days when Jabba the Krause ran the team... *vomits in mouth*

by SouthSideIrish @ Blog a Bull on Dec 30, 2006 5:32 PM CST reply actions

Let me blow

the dust off the now yellowed beat article first...

Tyrus Thomas has shown he can be an excellent player, regardless of what position he's at. There's no reason to sow a seed of dissatisfaction about Thomas' post game. Can we forget the quote about Thomas' aspiration to be a small forward in the NBA? It really has little if any bearing on his future, and he doesn't seem to be stubborn about playing multiple positions.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 30, 2006 6:01 PM CST reply actions

This is the new NBA.

Thomas will probably end up mostly at the 4, but I'm sure he'll play some at both spots just like Noc and Deng. Hell, he can play center against certain matchups.

I think he needs at least one post move other that catch-dunk in order to be the Bulls inside scorer. Plenty of time to develop though.

by Eddy Currys Broken Heart on Dec 30, 2006 10:44 PM CST up reply actions

'New NBA'

6-9 isn't exactly small. Sir Charles, both Malones, McHale, Paul Silas, and Rodman all managed around or below that height.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 31, 2006 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

Tyrus...

has a lot of bulking up to do to become the physical presence that each of those players was. He's still supposedly "growing into his body", and I hope he gets bigger, but it doesn't seem like he has the frame for it.

My girlfriend would rather be with Kirk Hinrich.

by defensive indifference on Dec 31, 2006 11:29 AM CST up reply actions

Yeesh

He's 20 years old, he looks like a rookie, and he's not Tyson Chandler. Deng has gained a lot of mass since his rookie year, and that's a guy who didn't seem to have the frame for it. Are you a doctor, trainer, or know anything about physiology?

This is the "I'm dissapointed in Tyrus Thomas for unspecified reasons" diary. Please complain away, but he's been impressive at times, and should become a very good, versatile player.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 31, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

Whoa, just a second...

I'm not complaining about Tyrus at all, I've been very impressed with his play this season, though he's still got a lot to learn. My point is that you can't just say that all he needs to do is get bigger and stronger and his body will suddenly answer.

My girlfriend would rather be with Kirk Hinrich.

by defensive indifference on Dec 31, 2006 11:49 AM CST up reply actions

I think we're

both confused, it's not like McHale was very strong or bulky, and my whole point is not to box Tyrus Thomas into a role and/or position just so fans can be dissapointed and have something to complain about. I don't care if Tyrus loses 20 pounds, I'm pleased as long as he's good at basketball. Shouldn't every player have a post move anyway?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 31, 2006 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

I agree.

He's got a ton of talent and I don't really see him being less than our first or second best player in two-three years. Maybe Sweets can teach him how to score in the post despite looking like someone who has no business down there.

My girlfriend would rather be with Kirk Hinrich.

by defensive indifference on Dec 31, 2006 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

patience

Granted patience is not something sports fans are known for but Tyrus is averageing 10.4 minuts a game. Not enough to realy develop a great post move etc. He's got the dunk and his ability to dunk over people is a good enough move for now and I don't think he has a green light to try much else at the moment. The kid can run down the floor too... and I would rather him be fast and remain freakishly athletic than bulk up.

During last nights game against the Cavs I saw him sitting next to Big Ben on the bench talking and smiling. TT is gonna be awesome and even tho Big Ben might not be the best offensive mentor it bodes well for Tyrus' overall development and confidence. Confidence = offensive improvement
intensity = defense. ok maybe not a perfect. Every time I see TT play i get more excited for his and the Bulls future. I consider him an untradeabull even in deals involving Garnett and Gasol...

More muscel is always good but the guy is an athletic freak and I could care less

by Zac23 on Dec 31, 2006 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Don't forget

how high this kid can jump too. He's had some great blocked shots. I know some have been goal tending but man he can jump.

I posted in a diary on here somewhere that he asked to talk to Pip and now Scottie is mentoring Tyrus. You have to love his desire to want to improve.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 31, 2006 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

For me, Tyrus needs to work on two things

1)His outside shot...if he can have defenders running at him, a fake and drive to the hoop will result in some Dominique-like highlights. Right now defenders can lay off and play him for his drive.

2)His ball handling...when he was drafted, I assumed he'd be a power forward type after watching him clean the glass in college. But he's a Maggette-like wing player. Improving his handles will give him an advantage not unlike Pip.

His body he'll grow into no matter what he does, but with a little work, maybe he can become a Richard Jefferson-like player. He's so young, that the sky's the limit, and watching his progress will a lot of fun, like Luol.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 4:02 PM CST reply actions

I don't see either of those guys at all.

Both of those guys are 2/3 type players, who like to take it to the hoop. You said yourself that Tyrus doesn't handle the ball well, and considering he played the 4 in college I'm not sure why you'd think he'll develop along those lines.

He does have a not-horrible jump shot for a 20 year old, if he can develop that skill I see him more as a Shawn Marion type, combo forward who rebounds, scores on dunks, and can also hit an open jumper.

by Eddy Currys Broken Heart on Jan 2, 2007 4:41 PM CST reply actions

The dubiously named

Kidd2323 was hinting that Tyrus handles the ball well for a player of his size and experience (he certainly looks better than Nocioni and Deng in their rookie year), and an improvement in that area would make him more dangerous on the offensive end.

The thing with Tyrus Thomas projections is he really can/will play almost anywhere, and debating who he is or isn't like doesn't shed much light on his future with the Bulls. He is similar to Shawn Marion (who often defends opposing guards, and some even doubted he could play primarily at power forward), and I believe the Maggette comparison was more along the lines of a generic, athletic wing player than Maggette specifically. Either way he won't be starting at small forward with Luol Deng on the team.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 2, 2007 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

And by Maggette

I meant Maggette and Jefferson (who improved his jumper and handles). As long as the Tyson Chandler "Learn a post move and gain some weight!" drum doesn't get banged I'm more than ecstatic to discuss Tyrus Thomas.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 2, 2007 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

The initial question was about

where should Tyrus play. Should he focus on inside scoring or on outside scoring, and I was submitting that, after watching Tyrus play, he should focus offensively on shooting and ball-handling since defensively he's already better at guarding SF and SG than PF.

He already has some of the tools to make improvement in those areas a matter of practice, unlike Tyson who never had the skills to begin with.

Maggette and Jefferson were, as Pax Jax says, more an ideal than an exaction.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

And having him back up

Luol Deng with that skill set improved will only make the Bulls a deeper team.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

And without changing the subject

why is it dubiously named, PJ?

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

Dubious in my

mind I suppose, as the Kidd lead Nets were doomed to lose both Finals appearances and I at least wanted to see someone else from the East make a go of it. And Kidd is a jerk.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 2, 2007 7:09 PM CST up reply actions

So you'll understand

the reason behind the name: it has nothing to do with Jason Kidd. In fact, it was a nickname bestowed upon me in 1984 from friends that just sorta stuck thru the years. Obviously the 23's are all about MJ, but Kidd -- with two d's -- started as a childhood Lazer Tag Team name. FYI.

(Sorry about the personal info, but when choosing the name, I never thought of the correlation with Jason Kidd.)

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 7:16 PM CST up reply actions

I'm sorry...

you played lazer tag. ;)

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 2, 2007 7:21 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah,

Paintball for pansies, I know.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Jan 2, 2007 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

laser tag is awesome

smoke, lgihts, and techno...paintball can't top that

by milesgmsu on Jan 2, 2007 8:15 PM CST up reply actions

I know Tyrus is a long way from a finished product

I just don't see even the hint that he could be the slashing type of wing that Maggette or Jefferson are. They were both guard/forwards in college and still play roughly the same role in the pros. Marion mostly plays as an undersized 4 with some small forward skills (he's NOT a ball handler), which is exactly how I could see Tyrus developing.

Oh, and he should gain some weight and learn a post move. Maybe a hook shot. Where's Robert Parish?

by Eddy Currys Broken Heart on Jan 2, 2007 5:53 PM CST reply actions

analysis

Kidd; you're one of my favourite posters (mainly cuz we've met), but i disagree with your assessment...he's got a godawful jumper...for a 20 year old or a 2 year old

I see tyrus with the ups and athletcism he has as turning into a player within 10 feet of the rim...which is what this team needs. Granted if he could play like amare and evolve into someone dnagerous outwards to 15 feet, fantastic, but in the mean time....good defense, and dominate boards and putbacks (when the body isnt in)

by milesgmsu on Jan 2, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions