The following came from a recent K C Johnson article…Thomas tallied a career-high six steals in just 26 minutes against the Pistons, coming just one game after Del Negro pulled him quickly after taking 2 jumpers and committing a turnover against the Twolves, which is why Del Negro was asked to clarify Thomas’ role.

“Being athletic, running the court, hitting open 15-footers, Not floating on the perimeter when he’s at power forward. He has to just play, not turn the ball over and be smart.
… When guys execute the game plan, play hard, do what they’re supposed to do and deserve to be out there, they’re out there. When guys aren’t executing the game plan — not just Tyrus, anybody — they won’t be. You need to take good shots and not turn the ball over and play good, solid basketball.” (but even if you do and your initials are TT, you’ll still be pulled because you constantly refuse to kiss my royal tushie and just piss me off based on general principles and my gut feelings…not a direct quote)

Apparently Tyrus got the message (warning) from Vinny. In his last 3 games, Thomas took zero shots in the 2nd half, 8 in his next game against the Celtics (5 were attempted putbacks while battling for offensive rebounds….only 2 jumpers) and only one shot in his last game (1 for 1). If Thomas wants to get any playing time, he must remember never to shoot another jumper or Vinny will get the hook out. Is it any wonder he seems to be playing in panic mode at times.

I’m so glad that the other Bulls players hardly ever take a bad shot or commit a turnover so they aren’t judged as harshly through the same microscope. I’m also impressed that they execute the “game plan?” so flawlessly , which based on what I observe and the article points out, consists of firing up jumpers from all over the court mixed in with Rose attacking. The rest are isolations while everyone else just stands around admiring fish, Brad, Pargo or Luol driving into a sea of bodies. Most of his bread and butter basic sets (pick and rolls and pick and pops) go to players who have trouble converting, except for Derrick as the stats show. But his knowledge is so limited, I don’t see how they can escape from being a jump shooting team and a poor one at that, now that Gordon has moved to greener pastures.

Many of Tyrus’s out of control forced shots, in my opinion, are a result of hix being frozen out of the offense with no plays emanating from the Wizard of NonSmart, Vinny’s skinny playbook. Right now the master motivation killer has him so psyched out, he’s literally afraid to shoot for fear, that God forbid, he may miss. If only fish had some of the same concerns.

I find it interesting as majoyenrac pointed out, that Tyrus’s conversion % on long jumpers, though not very impressive, is actually slightly higher than the team’s overall average. Could one conclude from this that Vinny’s obsession with Thomas’s percieved failures is based on his dislike of the man as much as his dislike of his game? Raw statistics show Tyrus beats out Taj in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free throws, not fouling as much and points per minute. The two areas where Taj tops TT are shooting % (plays are run for him down low and he knows someone will actually look for him if he’s open, therefore no need to fight for opportunities within the offense) and turnovers.

Some of Tyrus’s turnovers are a result of his trying to force things, hoping to impress his coaches which is made more difficult since most of his minutes are spent with Rose, Noah, Deng and Kirk resting on the bench. Last year before the trade with his starting job secure, Tyrus had many impressive games and the Bulls were winning.

How do you think Gibson would perform if he had to function with our below average reserves most of the time, rather than having the security blanket of knowing the focus of atention would fall more on our other starters, allowiing him the opportunity to roam more freely? I don’t know the answer but I do know his game would suffer, not to mention if he had to worry in the back of his mind, the next screwup could earn him a seat on the bench. Not taking anything away from Gibson, but I’ve seen him have some major brain cramps on both ends of the court without Vinny getting his panties all in a wad like he does with Tyrus.

I guess as long as Bulls management worries more about the almighty dollar than player development, Tyrus will be left to rot on the vine like an overripe apple, because his master, like Yaweh (JR) considers him a forbidden fruit and Vinny, running around in all his nakedness, is like Adam with strict instructions not to pluck him because it could threaten Paradise (which must remain under the cap). If it was discovered what a tasty and valuable morsel he could become if properly nurtured and cultivated, the masses would demand apples thus raising the cost of maintaining the orchard, which is already quite lucerative without risking taking on added expense.

OK, I admit, it is a somewhat lame analogy and an insult to the Lord, but sometimes I think Reinsdork acts like he is the supreme arbitrator of all that is good or allowed.