Tyrus Thomas - NBA defensive player of the year
by Bullsfanla on Jan 6, 2009 5:13 PM CST
Email
PrintThe Bulls' Tyrus Thomas had 8 blocked shots in Saturday's loss to Minnesota, which is believed to be the second-best performance in the NBA this season behind the 10 blocks by Orlando's Dwight Howard against Oklahoma City on Nov. 12.
Since he joined the Bulls three years ago, it's been obvious that Thomas has the physical skills to be one of the league's best defenders. He's thinking along the same lines and mentioned that being named NBA defensive player of the year is one of his goals.
"I actually would love to be that one day," Thomas said following Monday's practice. "I've just got to keep working hard and keep being consistent." -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald
So do you think with consistent minutes Tyrus can achieve that status? He has been putting up sp what impressive numbers blocks and steals wise as of late. Maybe he's less Shawn Kemp and more of an athletic Ben Wallace with a decent jumper. Would you consider keeping him and signing him long term?
FanPosts are user-created posts from the BlogABull community, and are to be treated as the opinions and views of that particular user, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.
34 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
KEEEPING HIM
but he is making us look like idiots for keeping him.
Why cant you just become what should be?
What to do, with Larry Hughe?
It sort of reminds me of the time I won a race in sixth grade and suddenly fancied myself very quick.
De gustibus non est disputandum
Hard to do...
Tyrus is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Hard to develop if he doesn’t play. Hard to get minutes if he doesn’t play well when given minutes. Personally, we need to get him on the floor.
"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"
by CommittedToExcellence on Jan 6, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions
ha!
Why cant you just become what should be?
by ImmanuelKant on Jan 6, 2009 6:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow.
You created a whole new login to make that joke. Kudos.
"Wait, just let me listen." - Scottie Pippen
by OldSkoolSloan on Jan 7, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
Tyrus is a great talent and the Bulls should definitely keep him
If the Bulls could bring in a competent coaching staff, there’s no reason he can’t be great. Look what happen to Bynum.
Pip, Stacey, and Stormin’ Norm should take over this team. At least they’d tell it how it is and actually teach these guys a thing or two.
I don't want to be irritating
But how does Andrew Bynum & Tyrus Thomas compare? He got some mins his rookie year, but mostly, he developed over time if anything else. Part of it was coaching sure, but most of it was Bynum himself. (I fail to see how the Lakers did anything more than play him.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
I think the quote was
“Kareem is the best teacher I’ve ever had as far as basketball.” -Bynum
by gobulls1124 on Jan 6, 2009 6:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think he can
He does need a true center to complement him, one who can take up space, rebound and force the oppsing players to shoot from 5 to 8 feet out. Tyrus has the athletic ablility to blocks shots from that range and he is good in the passing lanes.
Do you think the Mavs would trade Erick Dampier?
I think he would help the Bulls and Tyrus. I don’t know though.
Not for any of our scrubs
Mavs need a Center…..Dampier helps their defense.
He makes too much too that I wouldn’t want to include a BG or Deng (and likely you wouldn’t either). They’re not letting him go for a Hughes, Noc, etc.
That is the difference
The Bulls have never given any of their young bigs the proper coaching. Vets like David Robinson, Charles Oakley, AC Green, Kevin Willis, Horace Grant, Zo Mouring are sitting at home right now and would take a big man coaching gig in a heartbeat.
but that type of "proper coaching" involves spending money..
and you know how Bulls management is careful ’bout spending money.
by fedupandfull on Jan 7, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Not only did the lakers specifically hire Kareem to teach Bynum the ways of the world. But Bynum’s role is well-defined, understanding what is being asked of him allows him to improve his game incrementally. Plus, he is surrounded by talent and experience who also know their roles and Bynum’s role. On the Bulls, who really knows what is going on at any given time?
somehow
i don’t think tyrus or noah are being thrown on the court without a clue for what they are ‘supposed’ to be doing. perhaps the question is, are they capable of doing what is expected of them at this point in their careers with their perceived skill sets? and at what point do people stop blaming lack of a big man coach, and start looking at the individual players for some of the accountability? if tyrus and noah were able to chip in on a consistent basis within the team game plan, do you think they would really be sitting on the bench as much as they are now?…
Have you watched a recent game?
Everyone is thrown onto the court with no idea of what they’re supposed to be doing.
"You remember the first time you picked up a basketball video game and you had no idea how to run plays, so you just gave the ball to your shooter and you ran around the court aimlessly until a defender was far enough away and then you jacked up a shot? THAT IS LARRY HUGHES!"
-Anonymous fan letter, heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
by Prevenge on Jan 7, 2009 3:12 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Players should be held accountable
However, the Bulls simply have not been able to develop a big man.
Curry came in and he was what he was. I don’t remember any development in his game from his rookie season to his disappearance with the Knicks.
Chandler was held back here from a lack of playing time. It seems like, with big men, that the organization just can’t get it together.
Look at Miller, we had him. Now people are clammoring to get him back. As I remember most people were happy to see him go in that trade.
The organization needs to address the issue with deveoping post players on this team. A “real” big man coach (someone who has actually done something as a player) would be a good first step.
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." -- Michael Jordan
by bennythebull on Jan 7, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
Chandler
Had a lot of playing time. He was held back here because Skiles wanted to see more consistnecy and I think Tyson was a bit of a head case who crapped under the pressure of being the highest paid player, despite not being the best at the time (Hinrich, Gordon and Deng were better)…
But Tyson got a lot of PT.
Well...
Bynum is surrounded by talent so he doesn’t have to do much. And he’s struggling himself…Phil doesn’t play him in crunch time.
At first when I read Tyrus’s comment about being def POY of the year, I thought “nigga please” but I’m happy he at least has a goal.
I also agree TT would be much better with a real bulky center, someone like a Pryzbilla. He needs to bring intensity on every possesion. I hate that spacey look he always has on his face. I never see him with a grimace or anything to show real emotion or anger.
Bynum played at the end of the Christmas Day Boston game.
Just FYI.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
That deadpan expression
worries me too. I was gald to see him smiling and getting emotional on some of the play slast night.
I even liked that he got T’d up, he was into it.
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." -- Michael Jordan
by bennythebull on Jan 7, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
My biggest fear is we either trade Tyrus or let him wlak and he turns out to be a player averaging 14 points a game, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals a game. I know those numbers don’t sound to impressive but on a good team those are game changing numbers. To top it off we still don’t have set olley up plays for him.
it's a possibility, but
let tyrus walk and let him be a 14/8 guy somewhere else, because any team that leaves thomas on the floor long enough to average 14 a game will not be a playoff team.
I'm not convinced Tyrus is an above-average defender
As far as contesting layups goes, he might be the best in the league. But his man defense is suspect. He goes for the block too often, and his height puts him at a disadvantage against the 6’10"+ PFs.
His career defensive rating is an impressive 100, but his on-court opponent points per 100 possessions numbers are just okay.
Yep. He has suspect man defense
but could be a great help defender with the way he leaps out of the building. I think that’s where the additional big man can come in. If you’ve got a bulky guy with decent man defense down low, and have TT helping out like Camby or Chandler, then Tyrus will start looking better as a defender.
Tyrus is a long way from DPOY
Weak side shot blocking is great deterrent, but there is so much more work on the defensive end that gets you into consideration for DPOY. First and foremost is rebounding. It’s all about position, length, timing, and knowing your opponents and your teammates shot tendencies.
Like C Smoove, I’m glad that Tyrus at least has a stated public goal.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
Yeah
But he is gradually improving, and it’s nice to set a goal. I don’t think anyone would say he’s in DPOY or ALL NBA defensive teams yet….this year.
I think any talk of DPOY will have to wait for competant coaching
With VDN screwing with TT’s minutes, TT now thinks he needs to be on the highlight reel to justify being on the court for stretches.
We all agree that he has the tools.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
