Tyrus Thomas: Still A Peripheral Player

Your favorite NBA coach who's spent time in the clink, Scott Skiles, apparently has yet to let go of his ludicrous stance that should-be phenom, Tyrus Thomas, is still a "peripheral player." If you recall the Bull's playoff run last year, Skiles defiantly refused to play Thomas, opting instead to give huge minutes to the 90,000 year old PJ Brown while Thomas averaged over barely over 12 minutes per game.

So far this pre-season, an inferior player in Joakim Noah, has received more minutes than Thomas. This is not a situation where the team is giving more pre-season minutes to a rookie over a vet since Thomas is only entering his second year.

After spending an extra year in college to help Florida win a second straight national championship, Noah gave observers more time to realize his lack of athleticism, skills and fundamentals. Although he may sometimes lack Noah's motor, Thomas is one of those valuable players that uses his freakish athleticism to change the outcome of games without having one play being run for him. We understand that can equal "lacks basketball skills" in coach speak, but he's not going to improve by watching a team of youngsters.

What we're observing here at THF is a coaching philosphy favored by coaches that can scientifically be identified as "dopes." Skiles has proven time and again that he values hustle over actual results. Thomas' athleticism strengthens the team defense when he's helping Ben Wallace from the weak side and also provides an threat on a fast break and inside in the half court, which the Bulls have sorely been needing for years.

The benefit of having Noah in the Bull's locker room, which lacks pre-game music, besides having his smoking hot mom around? He can still get down without the tunes.