Chicago Bulls Basketball Player Profile - Tyrus Thomas

Player Profile: Tyrus Thomas
Position: Forward
Height: 6'9"
Age: 21

Player Summary

The 2008 season will be year three for Tyrus Thomas and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls traded their pick in the 2006 NBA Draft (#2 overall LaMarcus Aldridge) for the #4 pick Tyrus Thomas a young athletic freak off of his freshman year with Louisiana State University. Two seasons later the Chicago Bulls are still waiting for Thomas to justify the trade. Meanwhile, Aldridge average 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last year. Thomas is still a young 21, but the Bulls were hoping he'd take more of a step forward last year with the exit of P.J. Brown (and later Ben Wallace). Instead of that step forward, Thomas continued to look lost too often. In addition, Joakim Noah stepped up to grab more of the minutes in the frontcourt.

For the most part, the statistics for Tyrus Thomas increased across the board. So, the news isn't all bad. It just appears that the Chicago Bulls may be getting impatient. Thomas' name has begun to surface in trade talks over the past season.

Statistics for '07-'08 Basketball Season

Minutes: 17.9
Points: 6.8
Rebounds: 4.6
Assists: 1.2
Steals: 0.7
Blocks: 1.0

Player Strengths

Tyrus Thomas has athleticism to spare. He is a highlight-reel waiting to happen for the Chicago Bulls. His dunks and blocks are a constant source of ESPN material. Thomas has the word "potential" written all over him. Thomas has improved his jumper, although it is still streaky and his free-throw shooting has also improved.

When he enters the game, Tyrus Thomas supplies the Chicago Bulls with a shot of excitement, a few blocks, a few altered shots and a few rebounds. With the addition of the first overall pick of the NBA Draft, Derrick Rose, Thomas should receive even more opportunities to show off his hops on alley-oops and feeds at the hoop. Thomas provides complimentary skills to those of Joakim Noah.

Player Weaknesses

Other than dunks and the occasional jumper, Tyrus Thomas has a very raw offensive game. Thomas sometimes looks a little lost on the court and tends to go for the block too often on defense. The Chicago Bulls would like to see Thomas put forth consistent effort, develop some low post moves, and learn to play more disciplined defense.

Thomas' field goal percentage plummeted to 42%, which is ridiculously low for a power forward in the NBA. While he has developed a decent jumper, he takes it a little too much. Tyrus Thomas' blocks also decreased slightly, even though his minutes increased last year. The Chicago Bulls would like to think that Thomas is learning to play more patient defense, but I'm not sure that is the case.

Player Projections

For the immediate future the Chicago Bulls seem content to wait for Thomas to fulfill his vast potential. Rose should help him, but ultimately it's up to Thomas to decide to take it to the next level. He will likely never be a low-post player, but developing a few moves would help expand his offensive game. I expect the Chicago Bulls to increase the minutes a little for Thomas again. We'll see if his game takes a leap in his third season with the Bulls.

Projected Statistics for the Chicago Bulls '08-'09 Basketball Season

Minutes: 20.0
Points: 7.8
Rebounds: 5.2
Assists: 1.5
Steals: 1.0
Blocks: 1.5

Sources:
ESPN