According to Mike McGraw from the Daily Herald, the Bulls will select Tyrus Thomas with the 2nd overall pick in tonight's draft.McGraw writes: "Unless something unexpected happens, the Bulls will select Thomas with the No. 2 pick in tonight’s draft. The Bulls also own the No. 16 pick of the first round."
I couldn't be happier. I think the kid is a killer.
McGraw goes on to write about Thomas' incredible NCAA tourney run:
"Thomas produced 15 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 1-point loss Jan. 7 at Connecticut. In the NCAA regional, Thomas had 9 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in an upset win over Duke, then 21 points and 13 boards against Texas to send LSU to the Final Four."
NBA Draft.net also has the Bulls selecting Thomas. At 6'8" 217, there is some discussion as to whether Thomas is a 3 or 4. I have the answer. He is both. I liken him to Antonio McDyess from what I've seen. And pre-injuries Antonio McDyess was a very bad man.
At 16, NBA Draft.net has the Bulls selecting Thabo Sefolosha. For some time they had the Bulls getting Ronnie Brewer at that slot, but they have moved his projection up to the 15th pick.
Sefolosha is said to be an outstanding 3-point shooter with "extremely long limbs" who is a good defender and ballhawk.
3 comments:
While I am on record on this blog that Thomas wouldn't be my pick--while very talented, also very young and tweener-ish and more long-term prospect-y (heck, he wasn't even starting at LSU at the beginning of last season)--I will say this:
I trust John Paxson. And if he, along with Skiles, have determined that this kid fits and will succeed, I'll be on board. They've earned that over the last few years.
While we're at it, a few thoughts I've been meaning to get out about Pax: he should be the role model for all GMs or even coaches/mgrs when it comes to dealing with the media, and through the media, the fans.
Ask Pax a straight question and you get a straight answer. It's not always the same paranoid and elusive cliches you get elsewhere. He tells ya what he can tell ya and does it openly and honestly. He does interviews regularly with the Local Sports Radio Afternoon Show, and its just great basketball talk. Insightful questions are asked, and Pax gives insightful answers. Pax just gets it.
Alright then.
You nailed it on Pax. Same goes for Skiles.
Case in point--he was being asked about a rumored Shawn Marion for Tyson and the #2 pick. He flat out said that wouldn't happen and explained why it wouldn't make sense for the Bulls.
Roy is probably the safest pick. But I don't think he is the next Dwyane Wade. At this point I'd rather get the guy who blocks shots and rebounds and has some frontcourt size.
I could be guilty of NCAA tourney sway--but what I saw was just too impressive to be limited to a fluky few games in a tourney.
With this coach, and natural physical development and maturity, I just think he will be the man.
Pax will only take him if he has concluded, after working him out and talking with him, that he's a good enough PERSON to work to maximize his talent, to not pout when Skiles takes him out for not running a play correctly or not rotating on D, to be committed to team first etc. There was some anecdotal stuff on the radio that made it sound like he may be that kind of kid. If that is the case, on top of his obvious athleticism...well, maybe that should be the pick. Those are a lot of if's that I can't answer as a fan, which is why I've been asking for a more mature and polished player, but again, in Pax we trust.
We're only minutes away now...!
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