As always, there’s a lot of hoopla surrounding the role of Tyrus Thomas. Since the start of the post-Jordan era, there probably has not been a more polarizing figure. His talent is tantalizing when he flashes it, but the rest of time you sit there and wonder why exactly we traded him for LeMarcus Aldridge (who’s becoming a bonafide stud). Well, you saw why in Tyrus’s first three games back from his injury. That was, in all likelihood, the best three game stretch of his career. Tyrus supporters were out in full force with the “You see?’s” and “I told you so’s”.
And then what happened? He reverted back to form. In the next few games, he turned back into the walking turnover and 17 foot jump-shot bricking machine that we know. As an example, in the recent Oklahoma City game, he, in my humble opinion, single-handedly lost the Bulls that game. He completely took the air out of the offense. Every time he touched the ball, he either put up a jump-shot or put the ball on the ground in an attempt to create something off the dribble. The problem with Tyrus shooting jump-shots is that he can’t. He simply is not a good shooter. It’s not his form, it’s more of a mental thing…a confidence thing if you will. He often times is simply not close. He isn’t mentally strong enough or confident enough while he’s shooting to hit that 17 foot jumper at a consistent level. Unfortunately, Tyrus doesn’t know that, so he keeps shooting. Don’t get me started on Tyrus’s attempt at ball-handling. Every time he dribbles, your heart skips a beat. Time almost slows down as you wait and wait and wait for him to pass to Derrick Rose, who should be touching the ball at least twice on every possession. Yet because of Tyrus, often times, Derrick won’t even touch the ball after he passes it off once he brings it across the half-court line. And you know there isn’t any possible way Vinny wants Tyrus shooting that jumper or putting the ball on the ground. All Vinny wants…all ANY COACH WOULD WANT…is for Tyrus to stand under the basket and use his incredible athleticism to block shots, rebound, and put back some dunks. But Vinny can’t possibly control Tyrus. So what we have is a catch-22.
But I have to give credit to Vinny where credit is due. After the first three games, the Tyrus Thomas bandwagon were screaming for him to return to the starting line-up. But Vinny knew better. Vinny knew, as any rational Bulls fan should have known, that Tyrus would not remain consistent. That playing Tyrus in too long of stretches would only deflate your offense and lead to unnecessary turnovers. That Tyrus still simply lacked the basketball IQ and decision making skills required to log heavy minutes. So he’s sticking with Taj Gibson, whose talent is average, but whose basketball IQ is off the charts. Taj has proven himself to be a hard-hat and lunchbox type of player. He’s a banger underneath, he provides tremendous help defense, and he let’s the game come to him. He won’t turn the ball over, ever. And best of all, he can hit that jumpshot that Tyrus has been trying to learn how to hit for 4 years now. When he’s not in foul trouble, which unfortunately has been his downfall this season, he can be one of the most efficient players on the Bulls. In Vinny’s words:
“I don’t think he’s been in as good of a rhythm as he [Thomas] was the first few [games]. He gave us such a big boost when he came back. He’ll be fine. I thought he had an excellent practice [Thursday]. We need his activity and his shot blocking. Running the court and doing the things he’s capable of. He gives us more of a shot-blocking presence in there. We’ll get him back on track [Friday] night. The more consistent he is on the court, the more minutes he’ll get just like everybody else. We need him to play well and he knows that.”
On Taj Gibson, Vinny said:
“I just feel that Taj has earned every minute and with Taj and [Kirk] in the lineup we seem to have had a little bit better starts at times. Guys are going to get their minutes if they’re productive and if they execute the game plan and know what we’re doing. I’m happy with the starters right now and there’s no reason to change anything until I feel differently.”
So for once, Vinny has gotten it right. Props VDN. I remain convinced that the best way Tyrus can help this franchise is as trade-bait. Hopefully some other poor franchise will be suckered into taking on the Tyrus Thomas project, just as the Bulls were 4 years ago, due to the rare glimpses of talent he provides.
Leave a comment
No comments yet.
Da Bulls' Eye 
Leave a comment