Tyrus Thomas, what the hell man?
Wow. I just got done watching the first 3 quarters of the Celtics-’Cats game tonight (3/4/2010). And it was an eye opening experience about just how raw Tyrus Thomas still is, and how much of a headcase he is. And this is from a huge Tyrus fan. Many people I know have likely mocked me in the past for my unwavering support of this guy, and I am known as someone who is a huge Tyrus defender. Even when everyone was ripping on him unfairly during his many rough times here in Chicago, I almost homeristically defended him. But after seeing this game, I may have to change my tone on him (somewhat, at least) after watching this one. This was painful. Brutal.
Bottom line: The Bobcats lost this game tonight (104-80) about 70% because of Tyrus. Here’s why:
First Quarter, Tyrus checks in. Immediately, he starts doing the thing that let’s admit it, we all hate – taking those jumpshots with his poorly timed release that pretty much guarantees he’s going to miss. There is something seriously wrong with his form – when he puts up the shot, it’s like he’s almost overhead passing it towards the hoop. In the first minute he’s out there, he goes 1-3 – the one shot he makes being an incredible self-created drive to the hoop which ends up being a reverse dunk. Just incredible. But on the defensive side, there are 2-3 straight plays where his poor basketball IQ is exposed – he tries to go for the highlight reel steal, and then he tries to go for the highlight reel block as a help side defender, leaving his man wide open. In both cases, the Celtics pass it off to the now-open man for an easy two at the basket. The last play of the quarter, Nate Robinson is going off, having hit a 3 that gives the Celtics their biggest lead of the night. As time is expiring, Nate goes up in Tyrus’ face at the 3 point arc and puts it up again. Tyrus casually extends his arm, almost as if he doesn’t think Nate will make it, with little to no effort in defending the shot.
Made to beat the buzzer. Ugh. Tyrus stays in to start the second and again, Nate goes off for the first shot of the quarter with a shot in his face. After a few more bonehead plays–including where he tried falling down after no whistle, and just launching the ball up there (instead of passing it) and airballing a wide open 2 from the corner, Larry finally pulled him. By this time, what had been a 6 point Celtic lead before Tyrus checked in had become a 17 point Celtic lead by the time Tyrus came out.
Then he put in DJ Augustin while Tyrus was out, and he pretty much cut the Celtics lead to 3 on his own. This kid should not be in Brown’s doghouse. Shame, but in Q3 once Felton came back in the Celtics started to open it up again, with about a 10 point lead, and then when Tyrus came in – once again, it ballooned to 20 – all the plays that I describe afterwards were either on or caused fast break plays for the Celtics (the Celtics, a 30 year old average team – getting fast breaks – caused by Tyrus missteps). This time, he once again did the falling jumper expecting to get the foul (this is literally where Tyrus falls to the ground and tries to feign contact…must be a new thing) and this time misses. As he’s running back on defense, the guy who he thinks fouled him (Marquis Daniels) gets pushed unnecessarily hard (by Tyrus) as he’s bringing the ball up the court. Shoved down to the ground, and it wasn’t even a fast break – he was setting up the freaking offense. What the hell, Tyrus. Immediate technical, and well deserved. Then he looks back to his coach, throwing his hands up Nocioni style, but at that point even I got pissed. A tech FT, and then by the next play the lead was 22 (right before which, Tyrus got the ball, pump faked, then drove to the hoop and promptly was stuffed, then just watched the play go the other way for about 10 seconds before deciding to go and play some defense).
I turned off the game at that point. I see he had a good game stats wise (5-12, 15 points, 10 rebounds), but let it be known that they mostly all came in the 4th quarter, after the game had already been decided. They mean nothing. Tyrus Thomas may have had one of the worst games I’ve ever seen him play, and today he showed a side that I REALLY don’t like – thuggish basketball then trying to cover it up by whining to his coach about it. He is going to need some serious work. To Larry Brown’s credit, he seems to be patient with him, but man oh man. Horrible, horrible, horrible.
