Thaddeous #5 Rookie in Mid Season Rookie Rankings

[IggyTheBEaST]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/ ... ies-080220

[panacea]

IMO Horford is easily ROY ... I wonder if the NBA will do the right thing & reward him instead of giving it to Durant.

And that's about right RE: Thad, although you could argue that he belongs to be a bit higher.

[Fire BK]

That Thorpe guy is a total hack.

But hats off to BK - Yes, BK- for a great phenomenal pick last June.

Meanwhile, you gotta wonder what Billy's thinking watching his team remain virtually untouched and now his coach being extended...

He's probably feeling really proud and vindicated about Thad. But he should thinking about Big Dog, Van Horn, Kenny Thomas' contract or Al Jefferson's emergence.

[Cru Thik]

That Thorpe guy is a total hack.

But hats off to BK - Yes, BK- for a great phenomenal pick last June.

Meanwhile, you gotta wonder what Billy's thinking watching his team remain virtually untouched and now his coach being extended...

He's probably feeling really proud and vindicated about Thad. But he should thinking about Big Dog, Van Horn, Kenny Thomas' contract or Al Jefferson's emergence.

How proud can someone be of a 23-31 team? He made some good picks but I wouldn't pat myself on the back for a poor coach getting a unwarranted contract extension. Hopefully we make some moves to add quality talent to this team over the summer and Cheeks is fired within the first month of the season.

[Sixerscan]

There's no O in Thad's name.

[tk76]

Thad again has shown improvement each game. he was a force out there, and really smooth driving to the hole.

After watching him in the Summer League, pre-season and early this year, I can't ever remeber a guy progressing so rapidly.

Maybe it was just a confidence thing, but his rate of improvement has been insane. I am shocked at how well he is playing right now. Heading into the season I was hoping he would be a decent player in two years...

[Slacktard]

Thad again has shown improvement each game. he was a force out there, and really smooth driving to the hole.

After watching him in the Summer League, pre-season and early this year, I can't ever remeber a guy progressing so rapidly.

Maybe it was just a confidence thing, but his rate of improvement has been insane. I am shocked at how well he is playing right now. Heading into the season I was hoping he would be a decent player in two years...

Well the thing is I think people were judging Thad's learning curve going along something similar to Lou Williams because they were both so young. Of course the major difference being Lou never played any college, and Thad was actually GIVEN PLAYING TIME.

Lou never saw any significant PT until basically april of last year. I don't think he had back to back games of 20 mins until then and that would have been towards the end of his second NBA season.

I think most people looked at Thad's minutes early in the year and just figured with the way this organization handles young players he wasn't going to play.

I will give BK credit for the pick, although I said at the time I thought taking a shot at someone who MIGHT BE a very good (possibly all-star) player in the future was all he could do with that pick if we didn't move up.

I think you also have to give Stefanaski credit for coming in here and changing the culture of the Sixers and saying hey let's play these younger guys and see what they can do.

[ankle420breaker]

[quote="Slacktard"][/quote]

Good point... Stefanski provided the culture change that BK so often preached throughout his tenure. This team now has somewhat of an identity and a style that allows the players to play to their strengths.

[dbodner]

This team plays the same "style" (RE: pray for a fast break opportunity) that they did in the beginning of the season. the first 10 games of the year we outscored our opponents an average of 17-7 on the break. 17 ppg on the break over the course of the year is top 3 in the league.

[ankle420breaker]

It may just be me, but I've seen a more comprehensive effort lately to get out and run. They've been active defensively and have been able to force turnovers with consistency which has ignited their fast break opportunities. They also haven't limited their running game to just capitalizing on forced turnovers... they've been running on made field goals and they've been running missed field goals. They may have been up tempo all year, but it just appears as though the players have more confidence in their fast paced style and look to push the flow of the game to their advantage on every possession.

[bebopdeluxe]

While we all hope that Eddie will be able to use the cap room we have this summer in a creative way to bring in another impact player, it also seems clear to me that the trade of Korver was essential to get Thad the PT that he needed to develop and grow. While I admit that it would be nice to have been able to keep Korver (and his shooting stroke) around, Thad is probably going to be SO much more of an all-around impact player than Korver...and he had to play.

Nice move, Eddie.

[Mozy-76er Fan]

I live in Boston and don't get to see many sixer games unfortunately. How is Thad on defense so far?

[sec-106]

I live in Boston and don't get to see many sixer games unfortunately. How is Thad on defense so far?

Fantastic for a rookie.

I love the fact Thad does not take bad shots.

And Horford should be ROY.

[tk76]

Thad's defense is a work in progress. Given his length and quickness, he gets steals and tips in the passing lane.

He is not much of a shot blocker, but uses his length well to contest jump shots. He boxes out but can be pushed around by brawnier PF's.

Seems to be imrpoving on some early problems with defensive rotations and preventing penetration (we'll see if he does a better job against Orlando tomorrow.)

Overall, looks to have the tools and instincts to be a great defender- probably in many ways like Prince with his length and quickness causing all sorts of problems for the opposition.

[ankle420breaker]

They just had this little special on Sportsnite with Jason Smith and Thad talking about their rookie years.... Thad said he wants to be a HOF'er

[dbodner]

I don't think Thad ever had problems with his defensive rotations, nor do I think he's a work in progress. Sure, I think there are parts he can improve, but I think he's already an above-average defender.

[tk76]

I agree, he already is a good defender, as was for the most part was a net positive through rebounding, steals and hustle even when he has made mistakes.

Earlier this year he had some issues keeping his feet in front of the Matt Carrol and Hedo (I'm not picking them because they're white, they are just the two I remember.) It wasn't a quickness thing, he just closed out on the wrong. I think he is getting better, as he recently has done well even switching onto PG's.

He has missed on switches in the zone leading to backdoor dunks- but not due to laziness. This is normal, and again I haven't seen it happening in the last weeks.

I agree he has he makings and mental makeup of a top level defender.

[ankle420breaker]

Its going to be exciting to watch this kid grow. The maturity he's displayed at 19 is beyond encouraging. He's got the foundation to be a star caliber player and it appears as though he has the mental approach and determination to make it happen.

[IggyTheBEaST]

Get the sixers a LEGIT PF and Im feeling really optimistic about this team.

Iggy and Thad will make a great Duo next to _____ and Daly.