Why Can’t Tyrus Thomas Do This Every Game?
In the Bulls final push for the playoffs, in which they’ve won five of their last six games, we’ve seen John Salmons, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas all kick it into a higher gear. When Johnny Buckets, Hinrich, or Gordon do so, they become tough, efficient scorers. But when Ty Thomas turns it up a notch, he is capable of being a big-time game changer.
Last night against Detroit, he put up 18 points, 12 boards, 5 assists, a block and a steal – and a number of other hustle plays that only a guy with his athleticism could make. Playing impassioned basketball, Thomas looked more like the guy we saw during March Madness at LSU than the guy who averaged 5.5 points (35.4% FG) and 5.0 rebounds during the month of November.
The infuriating thing about watching Thomas is that there’s no real reason he shouldn’t do what he did last night every single time he steps on the floor. He’s not a back-to-the-basket scorer who is going to have off-nights shooting the ball. He’s an effort guy, a hustle player who sometimes forgets to hustle. But when he does, he can be the difference between winning and losing.
How high is Ty Thomas’ ceiling?
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March 25th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Shrink This says:
The most optimistic estimate i can think of is to suggest Antonio McDyess at his peak (20/10 pre-surgery). Perhaps midway between this and Tyson Chandler is more realistic.
Ty’s shot has certainly improved this year but as you point out, his near complete lack of a back to the basket game limits his potential. Sometimes during games he looks a bit lost out on the floor. I’m not sure if that’s him, a lack of coaching or the system, but he seems to disappear for spells.
Unless he develops some more skills, once his athleticism is gone, i worry that his productivity will descend rapidly and the peak short.
March 25th, 2009 at 9:34 am
nig says:
is it just me or did i seem like everyone was a lot happier without derek rose around? seems like the bulls play better without rose
March 25th, 2009 at 9:34 am
nig says:
by better i mean i lot more ball movement and sharing the basketball
March 25th, 2009 at 9:50 am
karizmatic says:
His ceiling is about 7 pts 7 rebs with a spectacular game like this every now and then, he doesn’t have the discipline or the mental toughness to be anything more than what he is.
March 25th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Taj says:
Last night I think Reggie was on crack when announcing that game. He said his cieling SHOULD BE Triple double type numbers… I was half asleep, when I heard that I woke up and turned the game off!! Sometimes they should put a muzzle on him…
March 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Taj says:
Or turn his mic off without tellin him!
March 25th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Kobeef says:
Jokaim Noah needs to cut his hair…he looks like a woman
March 25th, 2009 at 11:55 am
flavur says:
tyrus Thomas should be a 15 to 17 point scorer and have a 10 to 11.5 rebounding average if he played hard like this every night.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Tee says:
At best he is a poor mans Matrix… At worst Stromile Swift part 2, second verse same as the first.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Kudabeen says:
Noah actually looks in shape and like the energetic factor that people thought he would be of late…Stay in the weight room and out of the clubs…It is a better look for future pay checks…
March 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Brown says:
It’s because he has Tim Thomas’ work ethic.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
NTstateOFmind says:
i didnt catch the game last night but if what post #2 is true thats a shame
…as a result of Rose stealing his shine, Gordon decides to share the ball and play within a team concept. selfish.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
bookkwormmaster says:
After The Big 3 (Cleveland, Boston, Orlando) Chicago is a team that has some solid peices to move into that second tier level of East Teams (Atlanta, Detroit, Miami) that is a team that is respected and has the talent to make some noise in the playoffs but not necessarily a team that you pick to come out the East. Chicago has youth, athleticism, solid defense, solid offense, and their actually one of the deeper teams in the East. But for them to make that jump it really could center around the continued growth and development of Yyrus Thomas. He is his team’s X-Factor and if he plays like this on a consistent basis and expands his game (developing some post moves would be a good look or a more consistent face up jumpshot from midrange) Chi-Town could become a serious force not only in the East but the whole league as well