Swiss Mister

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 7, 2006 11:36 PM CST in News

Monday possibly saw the Bulls' new backcourt rotation, or at least the glimpse of its future. Ever since Hinrich and Gordon were paired together, the team's been searching for that third guard off the bench that could adequately defend opposing shooting guards while still being an offensive threat. And Thabo Sefolosha looks to be the answer, judging by his early-season performance which was highlighted by Monday night against the Bucks.

Not the most spectacular scoring line, with 9 pts on 4-9 shooting in 16 minutes. But Thabo certainly was impressive for a rookie. Like it was suggested before the draft, being 24 [er....22 -ed.] and a professional overseas means that the transition to the NBA should be relatively smooth. Sefolosha already has NBA playmaking ability, using his long reach to finish around the basket and court vision to complete several nice plays Monday night. And even if his jump shot still looks shaky, his ability to slash to the basket in transition is a great complement to what is still primarily a jump-shooting team.

And complementing skills is what Sefolosha can provide for Ben Gordon. With Hinrich out early with foul trouble, Skiles first went to his usual first guard choice off the bench, Chris Duhon. Duhon also found himself in quick foul trouble, picking up 3 in merely 4 minutes. Thabo came in, and Duhon didn't see the floor the rest of the night (ok so he's kindof hurt, but it was still indicitive of Thabo's play). Thabo gave a tall defensive option at the off-guard, allowing Gordon to stay on the floor, and shoot shoot shoot. Gordon was aggressive from the beginning of the game, getting the ball out on the break and pulling up for 10-foot jumpers, even if he was outnumbered down the floor. And when Milwaukee started collapsing on him he distributed the ball well, getting a career-high 9 assists.

Like in the Miami romp, against the Bucks the Bulls defense was outstanding (Wallace and Brown were fantastic and completely shut down Andrew Bogut) and allowed the offense to attack on the break. When they can do that it's pretty easy. But I'm still waiting to see a win where they get slowed down and are forced to attack the rim out of a halfcourt set. Gordon's been working on that more this season, and the Swiss Mister, Thabo Sefolosha looks to be another dynamic guard that diversifies the Bulls offense beyond long-range shooting. Here's to hoping this is the start of his new role as the first guard off the bench.

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Thabo's D

Did you guys see they way Thabo stayed with Michael Redd. He didn't let him get a shot off for a while. Didn't leave his feet and his hight created a problem for Redd. I really believe this could be a confidence boosting breakout for Thabo. We need him to hang with all the great shooting guards. By the way, I'm still hoping for Thabo to be Pippin. A change the game type of defender, great passer and inconsistent shooter but decent scorer.

by joemoses on Nov 8, 2006 12:11 AM CST reply actions

Pippin?

Maybe not a misspelling, since Thabo may be good but he's still far closer to Pippin than Pippen. ;-D

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 8, 2006 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

Pippen ='s Thabo

Like Hinrich ='s Stockton. I think the only thing you can say is that both do provide several skills including competent defense.
However, Pippen was an unparalleled defender. His offensive contributions were a cut above too. It would be a huge coup for the Swiss Mister to even sniff that sort of career.

by CookDing on Nov 8, 2006 7:18 AM CST up reply actions

Nothing says

inconsistent better than a career .473 FG%.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 8, 2006 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

Containing Redd

Redd had nine first quarter points working against smaller guards. He had two in the second quarter working against Thabo. That's when the Bulls busted the game open, which is why Thabo was a team high +23 on Monday night. It was great to see Skiles stick with the guy who answered the team's need at the moment.

Ron Karkovice Fan Club ronkarkovicefanclub.blogspot.com A Chicago Sports Blog

by Criminal Appeal on Nov 8, 2006 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

More Thabo

KC Johnson also has Thabo on the brain.

by Mike Aparicio on Nov 8, 2006 12:57 AM CST reply actions

Great read

Thanks for linking that. This quote says it all:

"Playing for the Chicago Bulls isn't like playing for any other team in the NBA to people who grew up watching their history from a foreign country. I'm happy to be here with the team they have now and that past. It's an amazing feeling."

by CookDing on Nov 8, 2006 7:33 AM CST up reply actions

KC

He's such a good writer. I really liked this little touch: "heures." Nice.

I promise not to say anything else about fantasy b-ball because that's really not the the point of this site, but don't be surprised if Thabo starts getting picked up in a lot of leagues. Guys who do a little of everything are golden, and if Thabo can consitently get 20-25 minutes of floor time he'll provide a nice even boost across the board. I'm a homer, so in my league I've already nabbed him. I'm crossing my fingers.

by jamestkirk on Nov 8, 2006 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

Uhh

if your names not Wallace, I don't think the term "Consistent Minutes" could be applied to you on Skiles team.

by CookDing on Nov 9, 2006 7:39 AM CST up reply actions

good point

Skiles' minutes are anything but consistently handed out. I should have said something like "if Sefolosha can AVERAGE 20-25 minutes."

by jamestkirk on Nov 9, 2006 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

He is 21

Not 24. But he does play with a lot of maturity.

by KT on Nov 8, 2006 1:51 AM CST reply actions

Correct.

Unless Yahoo has been lying for months.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 8, 2006 8:06 AM CST up reply actions

NBA.com

says 22

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/thabo_sefolosha/index.html?nav=page

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 8, 2006 8:06 AM CST up reply actions

Ahh

I'm just a dumbass, I did it as the year being 2005. Makes me feel less bad about myself knowing he's over a year older than me rather than my same age.

Having all these young guys in the NBA, MLB, NFL and etc... makes me feel like a failure at life.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 8, 2006 8:47 AM CST up reply actions

I know what you mean

I was almost shocked at how old I felt when I saw sometime during the finals that Dirk Nowitsky (who's been in the league for what seems like an eternity) is about 6 months YOUNGER than me....

by majoyenrac on Nov 8, 2006 11:10 AM CST up reply actions

It really

puts things into perspective.

Ty and Marty are both younger than me (Ty by over nine months). Deng is less than five months older than me. That's just on our fucking team. I imagine there's another two dozen or so guys that are that close to my age.

If I were smart, I'd use it as a motivator.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 8, 2006 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Just wait

It passes. I remember feeling that way when I was around your age. I'm 36 -- now I am only surprised when anyone my age is still in the league.

Go Bulls!

by preverbal on Nov 8, 2006 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

Don't Worry

One day the coaches will be younger than you.

It's only bad when most of the people in the OBITS are younger than you.

Ye OldeBull

by OldeBull on Nov 8, 2006 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

the coaches are all younger than me

And that makes me feel weird. Heck, Pax is younger than me but not by much. I feel old now.

But anyway, during the draft they kept saying Thabo was 21. Deng is about the same age. They are all so young.

by KT on Nov 8, 2006 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

yeah its strange

i got weirded out a couple years ago when my freshman roommate told me deng was in his class in high school...add that to lebron (who is also my age) and his $90 million nike deal before stepping onto the court, i feel like a waste of life as well

by MarcGldstn on Nov 9, 2006 7:17 AM CST up reply actions

Thabo's fitting in...

...can only help. If they have a 2 pressing for minutes, it can only help push BG. Apparently, he's had a history of appearing to not be at the top of his game inexplicably. Seems there have been questions about his motivation, conditioning, etc. Giving Skiles a credible option on the off-nights of our go-to guy, added to those mismatch nights when they need more length at the 2 has to make them more competitive.
Off-topic, anyone else pumped about Deng's early showing? Don't get to watch much out here, but it seems like he's having the breakout year everyone's hoping for.

by California Al on Nov 8, 2006 2:49 AM CST reply actions

Deng is looking very good

He's gained more than 10 pounds of weight, and I love how he's being more aggressive. He needs to keep slashing to the basket and not just settle for those little mid-range jumpers of his.

by Bullschicago on Nov 8, 2006 7:51 AM CST up reply actions

Good

nickname. I'm usually not much for them but "Swiss Mister" might stick in my mind. Also, good take on what Thabo brings to the Bulls. He is much more of a slasher than any guard that we have. The impact he could have on Ben's game was something I never put enough stock into; I was always caught up in Thabo helping Kirk's game.
Either way, he was a great pick and I predict the Sixers will be kicking themselves in 2-3 weeks.

by CookDing on Nov 8, 2006 7:36 AM CST reply actions

I'm still a big fan of

Thabby. I came up with "tigré" last night bc "chat tigré" is French for "tabby cat."

I imagine Swiss Mister will stick. At least I still have Lard Ass for Sweetney being moderately accepted.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Nov 8, 2006 8:51 AM CST up reply actions

'Swiss Chocolate'

can also be used...but those types of names may have run their course with Sergio Rodriguez being 'spanish chocolate'.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 8, 2006 9:08 AM CST up reply actions

Swiss Chocolate

My vote is Swiss Chocolate.

by Lincoln Park Elvis on Nov 8, 2006 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

what about "sefalicious"

the swiss mister is "sefalicious"

okay. I can't believe I wasted brain power on that. back to work.

by GWKD on Nov 8, 2006 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

I can't believe you said

"Sefalicious." I would have had a decent seat for the Bucks game, except that my neighbor was gigantic man with a even bigger mouth. First, he tried to impress the woman next to him by insulting the sub-par play of "Kurt" Hinrich. Then she asked him who the new rookie with the long arms was. He replied, I kid you not, "That's Sefalocious."

He was dead serious.

by ChrisRobin on Nov 8, 2006 10:09 PM CST up reply actions

I fucking

LOVE Chicago fans.

by CookDing on Nov 9, 2006 7:42 AM CST up reply actions

Do you mean?

That I can add to my seduction strategy my arcane and useless knowledge of who the 15th man on the bulls should be? Whether Kirk Hinrich is better than Chris Paul? Why signing Wallace at 60 million for four years is better than having Chandler for 50 mill for 5 years?

So chicks dig that? ;)

by GWKD on Nov 9, 2006 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

yes they do

50% of the time it works every time

by NY Chicago Fan on Nov 9, 2006 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

Make sure she's a sports idiot first...

I about slugged the last guy who tried to "explain" sports to little ol' me. I actually might have by the end of the game, but he was such an idiot that it turned out to be way more fun to bait him along with questions to which he was totally making up answers, and bad ones at that.

by wjb1492 on Nov 9, 2006 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

You never know

she might know as much as you do or (gasp) even more.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Nov 9, 2006 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

I think

Thabo is going to be a great player for the Bulls. I still remember seeing the picture of him as a child wearing a Bulls t-shirt. I also think Tyrus will bring good things to the game too.

I look for great things from Thabo.

by sue369 on Nov 8, 2006 11:32 AM CST reply actions

both are solid

Thabo's making contibutions already, and if he continues his development as part of the rotation, and the bulls go deep into the post season, I think a lot of people will reconsider just handing ROY to roy.

Tyrus' is another story altogether. while his athleticsm has lived up to the hype, you see a lot of players taken aback by it during games. I still remember Brad Miller's look on his face when ty pulled a rebound right from above him. to have an athletic rookie on the second squad with that many gifts and to add to that his pure energy, the bulls are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with.

It seems like the chemistry is building and the rotation is solidifying with these two promising rookies. I'm hoping it only turns into two losses during the circus trip.

by brianmita on Nov 8, 2006 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

Only two losses?

Wow I would be very happy with only two. I hope that is a good omen.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Nov 8, 2006 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

Point

I think this is important for the Bulls. A lot of the sportswriters focused only on the idea that the rookies couldn't be expected to be starters. Because of that, they assumed, they wouldn't contribute. All of this ignored what their bench presence could mean to the team. I believe that having that sort of energy and atheleticism on the bench makes a huge difference. Whenever the team begins to lag, bring in one of the rooks and we can expect the energy level to rise.
Good point on their impact.

by CookDing on Nov 9, 2006 8:09 AM CST up reply actions

Bulls-Cavs tonight

I'm excited. Really looking forward to seeing how Drew Gooden can hold up his averages of 16 and 12 against Ben Wallace. This will be a good barometer for both teams. Cavs better show up.

by Amar283 on Nov 9, 2006 11:38 AM CST reply actions

Cavs suck

Who is their best player? Carmelo Anthony?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 9, 2006 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

heh

Hey now, opposing fans are more than welcome. Last thing I want is this to be some insular 'with us or h@t0rz' message board.

Except the royals guy who just signed up to rip skiles, what the hell was that?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 9, 2006 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

I wasn't going after the guy,

just checking the pregame barometer.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Nov 9, 2006 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

I wish they were tipping off right now. So far this season, I have no idea what to expect from the Bulls. Some games, they look absolutely unstoppable. Other games, they look completely mediocre.

Hopefully, both teams will be up for the game and play well. It would be nice to see some high level basketball.

Go Bulls!

by preverbal on Nov 9, 2006 1:45 PM CST up reply actions