Summer School: Tyrus Thomas

[BigSlam]

Don't think I created one for T2 at the time because we hadn't signed him. In light on the conversation happening in the Kwame thread, thought I would crank one up.

Discuss the things you would like to see the player work on over the summer and bring to the team next season. This isn't about their contract status or a bashing thread or love fest thread or a trade thread or a player comparison thread. Just a thread of improvement ideas.

T2: Brought some great energy and excitement to the team. Showed a lot of hustle and heart. Looks like he is ready to learn and wants desperately to get better.

The things I would love for him to seriously work on are pretty basic. Slow down. He played a little out of control a lot of the time. If he could just learn to use his length and athletic ability to his advantage he could slow down a little and not be so out of control. That leads me into the 2nd thing - get a go to offensive move. For me, I would LOVE to see him develop a little running hook across the middle of the paint. He has pretty good touch and with his length, hops and quickness it would be almost unblockable and the type of post move this team really craves.

Tape of guys to study: Prime Kevin Garnett to see how a tall athletic guy can use natural ability to his advantage and Gerald Wallace for a guy who has learnt to let the game come to him.

What would you guys say?

[ball teacher]

A hook shot (not the left handed one) would be a good shot to add when coming across the lane from his strong side. I also think the face up post game would be very good for him since he's got a nice jump shot and quickness to get around most bigs, a 5-10 foot jump shot should be easy money for him. I think he could add 10-15 pounds of muscle to help him on the boards and defending other power forwards. I agree that he needs to slow it down, maybe playing for a contract, playing time, or the coaches respect caused alot of nervous energy, but he has to be easy and make the game simple. If he can stay focused, relax, not be so argumentative he should be good. I think studying KG and Bosh would be good since they have almost the same build and athletic abilities.

[Stun704]

Offensive game tape: Amar'e Stoudemire
Defensive Game tape: Kevin Garnett