The Curious Case of Tyrus Thomas
by LACK on Feb 9, 2010 5:31 PM MST
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PrintWhen I think of Tyrus Thomas, I think of a super-athletic guy without much focus but guzzling with potential. Since the Nuggets' three-headed monster have had a good history of making under-your-nose trades (read asdqqq's post from several days ago), and since the Nuggets have experience with this type of deal before (hint, hint, nudge nudge, JR), I am confident that they'll find some way to trick the Bulls into giving us Tyrus, just like how we traded Howard Eisley and the exclusive rights to Aaron Gray for J.R. a couple years ago.
At first, I thought that was Josh Smith in a Bulls jersey! (via sportsmaven.files.wordpress.com)
J.R. Smith towel-waving sighting! (via dunkers.110mb.com)
The pictures above brings me to a thought that I always have had: Tyrus has the tools to be a 2009-10 version of Josh Smith. It's up to him and the developing crew of the team he's on to realize it. However, since I wasn't 100% sure, I decided to head over to 82games.com and see what the stats said about him (see where this is going...?)
Before looking at the stats, I'll tell you what I know about Thomas: He's averaging 8.5 points and 6 rebounds per game in a bench role behind rookie Taj Gibson on the Bulls. When focused, he can play tough defense and bang the boards as well as getting steals and blocks Kenyon Martin-style, but when he isn't focused, he's just your average headcase. His offense isn't anything to be proud of, but if he were on the Nuggets, not much offense would be needed out of him.
Just to show that Tyrus isn't weak (via www.slamonline.com)
So.....without further adue, let's head over to the stats!
Shot selection
| Shot | Att. | eFG% | Ast'd | Blk'd | Pts |
| Jump | 54% | .375 | 91% | 7% | 2.9 |
| Close | 31% | .380 | 58% | 28% | 1.7 |
| Dunk | 13% | .905 | 68% | 0% | 1.7 |
| Tips | 2% | .250 | 0% | 0% | 0.1 |
| Inside | 46% | .520 | 62% | 19% | 3.4 |
As you can see here, Tyrus can't hit his jumper well, and doesn't have a post game, but he can dunk, and he can dunk hard. A thing that worries me is that over half of his FGA are jumpers, but he can't hit them very well. However, 53% of Kenyon Martin's shots are jumpers, and he only hits 38% of them. So not much difference there. Tyrus has a foul-drawing rate of 18.1%, which is better than Melo's, and while his FT% of 66% isn't very good, the plain fact that he gets to the line well is a good sign for a guy without much of an offensive game.
On Court / Off Court stats
Many stats are shown on a 'per 48 minute' basis
| Stat | ON Court | OFF Court | Net |
| Minutes | 530 | 1702 | 23% |
| Offense: Pts per 100 Poss. | 102.8 | 102.8 | +0.0 |
| Defense: Pts per 100 Poss. | 103.0 | 105.6 | -2.6 |
| Net Points per 100 Possessions | -0.2 | -2.8 | +2.6 |
| Points Scored | 1075 | 3307 | -2232 |
| Points Allowed | 1078 | 3419 | -2341 |
| Net Points | -3 | -112 | +109 |
| Effective FG% | 47.7% | 46.1% | +1.6% |
| Effective FG% Allowed | 48.0% | 47.7% | +0.3% |
| Assisted Field Goals | 56% | 54% | +2% |
| Assisted FG% Allowed | 53% | 58% | -5% |
| Own Shots Blocked | 7% | 7% | +0% |
| Shots Blocked | 9% | 7% | +2% |
| Rebounding | |||
| Offensive Rebounding | 28.3% | 31.6% | -3.4% |
| Defensive Rebounding | 73.8% | 70.7% | +3.1% |
| Total Rebounding | 51.0% | 51.2% | -0.1% |
As we can see here, the Bulls are about the same offensively with him on the court (read: still bad), but there defense improves. As stated before, we don't need Tyrus to score a lot, but we would like him to score efficiently and play good defense. An interesting thing to notice is that his team actually gets a small bit worse in terms of rebounding when Tyrus is on the court. Since I don't watch many Bulls games, I am not sure why, but playing alongside Brad Miller could cause that. Or, it just could be from a lack of effort on some nights.
Hmm... (via photos.upi.com)
On NBA.com, Tyrus Thomas is listed as 6'10" and 225 lbs, but he seems bulkier than that. He averages a stunning 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals in only 22.5 minutes per game, but only shoots 46% from the field. His negatives are that he is turnover-prone, sometimes foul-prone, and doesn't always bring the effort needed. And as we've seen with Balkman, Renaldo, Karl isn't happy with players who don't give their full effort and, consequently, is all over players who do (AC).
You can interpret these stats however you want, and remember that there's a locker-room aspect to a player too.
via www.nba.com
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This
Makes me want Thomas even more. Josh Smith is the PERFECT comparison!
"Don't chase the money, chase the dream"
Yah here are some of Josh Smith's stats
16 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 steals per game, 2.2 blocks per game.
Thomas needs to focus more though. He also needs to get a bit more of an offensive game.
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
""He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"We're just tough, man" - Chauncey Billups
Wow, LACK you rule
Great fan post once again. I think the comparison to Josh Smith is about as good of one you will find in the NBA. The only real difference between the two that I see is motivation. Smith, ever since he entered the league has wanted to be one of the best, I’m not sure you can really say that about Tyrus, but in every other way they are scarily similar. The bottom line is you have to take the gamble, and hope that he ends up developing into the player we all know he can be, because the price (4 mil) is definitely worth it.
Man, I’m starting to get the jitters just thinking about this as a real possibility. I know Tyrus isn’t anything too special but there is something there, and I hope we can find out what it is in the future. He would make our bench absolutely lethal, and in my eyes would be the perfect partner for JR. Both have had their troubles but I think once they take the court together they could team up to do some damage against L.A.
"Jive turkey is a little over the line my man!"
Denver needs Tyrus
Imagine a young K-Mart without the basketball IQ, yet. Tyrus needs a mentor like K-Mart in order to get to the next level. Tyrus is coachable and has shown improvement when given the opportunity, but he plays for the Bulls and VDN. The Bulls have had alot talent go through their system and play alot better elsewhere. A new location for Tyrus will let his potential grow and Denver is the perfect situation.
by FIB Cheesehead from the Rockies on Feb 9, 2010 6:54 PM MST reply actions
I'm not a fan.
I understand the motivation for buying a player who a lot of promise and possibly hidden talent, but I don’t think making any moves to get Tyrus makes a lot of sense. We don’t particularly need another offensively challenged defender. We’ve already got a better version of that: K-Mart. He won’t help us guard the Laker’s bigs, other than maybe absorbing some fouls. The only thing that Tyrus could bring is adding another player that Karl might actually give some minutes to, helping spell some of our vets more. But, seeing how Karl handles J.R. and Balkman, I don’t see that entirely happening.
In short, I don’t think trading for Tyrus makes us a better team.
by George Karl Marx on Feb 9, 2010 7:42 PM MST reply actions
It may not bring immediate results
But what it does potentially do is set up the 4 for the future. KMart’s contract is up after next season…then what? Nene is set at the 5, Bird is not getting any younger, Balkman/Petro have limited upside, and the Nugs don’t have any guaranteed draft picks this season.
Thomas is young and has room to grow, especially under team leaders like Chauncey and Kenyon. Imagine a few years down the line, when the team has a nucleus of talented players in their prime (1-Lawson, 2-Afflalo, 3-Melo, 4-Thomas, 5-Nene, 6th Man-JR). Sure Thomas might never live up to his potential; he’s a risk and anyone who deals for him knows that. The biggest factor is whether or not the risk outweighs the potential reward. If the FO can get Thomas for a couple of scrubs/non-rotation players, then hell yes, this is an amazing trade (low risk/high upside). If the FO has to deal JR or Afflalo or someone to get him, then I agree that it’s not such a great deal.
The key is to remember that, despite the fact that the Nugs are in good position to make a title run this year, they also have to keep one eye on the future. Trading for Thomas now seems like a perfect case of a buy-low trade that could provide results for years to come.
by Uh on Feb 9, 2010 10:05 PM MST up reply actions
Thomas
Played 28 min tonight nd logged 9 points and 10 boarsds I think. Taj Gibson only go 20 min… thats not encouraging.
"Don't chase the money, chase the dream"
by Garrett Olsen on Feb 9, 2010 10:41 PM MST up reply actions
Think bout it differently
Whenever I see this considering his past playing time, this increase in playing time is to increase his trade value. Maybe you already meant that.
by Rebel14 on Feb 9, 2010 11:02 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
True
I saw a very ineresting 3 way deal on another chat that this guy came up with and I liked it a lot!
Denver gets: Thomas
Chicago gets: T-Mac, Graham and Petro
Houston gets: Heinrich and Miller.
IDK if Houston bites, but it would land us Thomas and keep Heinrich away from LA,
"Don't chase the money, chase the dream"
by Garrett Olsen on Feb 9, 2010 11:34 PM MST up reply actions
this is one of those three team trades
that you have to ask: Why do the other two teams need to bring in Denver? Essentially they could just trade thomas to Houston in this deal and drop the garbage (petro and graham)
Why live life on the edge, when you can jump off?
Exactly
The whole deal with Thomas is that it’s not a risky gamble at all. We can get him for cheap and if it doesnt’ work out then so be it, but the potential is worth the gamble imo.
"Jive turkey is a little over the line my man!"
by GoldenNugget on Feb 10, 2010 12:15 AM MST up reply actions
dumb and dumber
is the best way to describe how the bulls are run. they get rid of gray and noah is out with an injury. they get nothing for ben gordon the only rookie to win the 6th man of the year award. they could have gotten something for him but were too greedy. it will be the same case with thomas. chicago is looking for a fall guy and tyrus is it. vinny del negro as the head coach? that move reeks of desperation. it started off as fire vdn now thomas is the problem. drafting jokim noah was another screw up. the world has witnessed his only decent career year. denver will pay a premium the closer they get to the trade deadline. in the long run it will not be worth it. ty lawson proves denver needs to start hanging on to their draft picks. they have given away enough already. this summer gray and maybe thomas will be available as free agents without compensation to chicago. remember the farmer saying. WHY GO AND BUY YOURSELF A COW WHEN YOU CAN MILK A WHOLE HEARD RIGHT THROUGH THE FENCE FOR NOTHING. chicago is in damage control mode. no need to bail them out.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Don't get it
TT’s contract is up, he’ll be a restricted free agent next year. Some team is going to have to guarantee him around $5 million as a qualifying offer to keep him next year. Chicago sure as hell doesn’t want to, they’ve waited 4 years for all his talent to break out and run out of time. We can take a crack at him in free agency but trading for him would just bail Chicago out of drafting him 4th and give them something in return. Let him hit the free agent market or let some other team overpay his qualifying offer. He makes sense as a project to eventually replace Kenyon but not as an overpaid Kenyon backup. I’m still of the belief a trade really doesn’t help unless we don’t give up anything and GK will be guanteed to play him in the playoffs.
Eh
First off the Bulls aren’t just going to give him away, they’ll likely want a pick in return and we really have none to offer. Tyrus doesn’t have the size to help us compete with the Lakers so basically he’s just added salary and pretty much leaving us with the same problem
Why live life on the edge, when you can jump off?
A athletic knucklehead with a lot of potential...
I don’t know if GK wants another player like that. But it would be fun to watch Lawson to Thomas alley-oops all night.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Tyrus-Thomas-can-be-yours?urn=nba,218576
My friend Justin
Asked Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld if there is any truth to the Thomas and Denver deal and he told Steve he has herd Balkman, Graham and Allen for Thomas.
Steve replied with, “It’s on the table but Chicago wants to wait the 8 days to see if they can get a pic from anyone for him.”
So if no pic is sent to Chicago for Thomas maybe we snag him? Idk bout you guys but I’d love to have him. Even if we have to sign him for 5 mil a year for a year next year until he’s a UFAin 2011.
"Don't chase the money, chase the dream"
I'd miss Malik, and Melo would have no back-up.
But Balkman can go lounge on someone else’s bench as far as I’m concerned.
"Would you guys keep it down?!"
Balkman screams at the Pepsi Center audience, “I’m trying to watch a game in peace!…Damn hooligans.”
by Joelsopinion on Feb 10, 2010 1:46 PM MST up reply actions
thomas can play both forward positions
but so does hakim warrick. warrick make 3 million per year and tyrus 4 million, the big problem is denver would have to add 2 more players for a 13 player roster.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Nope
The big problem is that Milwaukee loves Warrick, while the Bulls would love to get rid of Thomas.
I know we’d have to sign a couple of D-League players, but I see that as an added bonus to get some hard-working scrappy young guys on the end of the bench.
Plus, Petro bumped up his trade value last night. If he continues to play like that, he’d be beastly, but we all know that he probably won’t, and flipping him and other benchwarmers for a pretty darn good player is worth it. And if he doesn’t pan out, then we can cut him next year.
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
""He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"We're just tough, man" - Chauncey Billups
Wow, thanks
Although I really like all three of those players, the bottom line is Karl isn’t going to ever play them enough for them to really contribute so we might as well try and get a guy who will.
"Jive turkey is a little over the line my man!"
by GoldenNugget on Feb 10, 2010 1:48 PM MST up reply actions
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