GT Dec 19th: Charlotte @ Washington 7:00pm

[BigSlam]

Good chance we go into this one without Jax and without Crash.

I can't decide if that's a bad thing.....................or a good thing.

[fatlever]

wiz without wall again?

maybe they have a mental letdown after they blew the game vs miami.

[fatlever]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

[ohara]

Shard will make his debut for Washington tonight. Joy to the world.

[Battery]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

He's playing hurt!!

I can't believe people are still getting on LB about this.

[MPM]

Predictions.

Brick - 42 minutes, 1-19 from the field, 37 rebounds (half being offensive grabs from his missed FG's), 1 blue ribbon from Rick Bonnell for displaying the heart of a lion and a gold trophy from LB for admirable hustle.

Najera - 14 minutes, 0-3 from the field, 2 boards, 10,000 puzzled looks from the fans in attendance.

Tyrus - 12 minutes, 5-9 from the field, 7 boards, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 23 lessons learned in regards to playing "the right way"

Bobs lose 84-79.

It must be hellaciously frustrating for Tyrus right now. My fear is that LB is going to destroy his will to live. He is putting up great stats and sees minimal burn, while watching lesser talents play through mistake after mistake on the court.

[MPM]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

He's playing hurt!!

I can't believe people are still getting on LB about this.

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

[Battery]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

He's playing hurt!!

I can't believe people are still getting on LB about this.

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

Alright so according to you he's not hurt. Next up on the list is his poor defense...

[MPM]

This is the reality of Tyrus's minutes:

October – 24 mpg
November – 20.7 mpg
December – 18.6 mpg

He is playing less and less. Has nothing to do with a recent quad injury...it's been a larger seasonal trend.

[Stun704]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

It means McGarbage will somehow play 50 minutes tonight... Somehow.

[MPM]

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

Alright so according to you he's not hurt. Next up on the list is his poor defense...

I'm not debating his poor man D. I'll give you that. However, he is a terrific help defender, leading the team in blocks and 4th in steals (in only 20 mpg). I think what everyone is suggesting (other than yourelf) is that what he brings to the table far outweighs what he doesn't. His offensive punch is much more valuable to this team than throwing another offensively limited hustle defender on the court for 40 mpg. He has the highest PER on the team, the third highest FG%, and the highest PPS. More simply put, it's illogical that we don't have one of, it not our most, efficient offensive player on the court for more minutes, especially when other starters are out with real injuries and we lose game after game with a crippled offense.

Also, he is not the only mistake prone player on this team - we are a turnover prone bunch with some kooky plays made by all - he is just the only one that seems to be yanked for making mistakes.

[captaincrunk]

so if jax AND wallace are both out... does that mean that tyrus will play 19 minutes tonight instead of his usual 18?

He's playing hurt!!

I can't believe people are still getting on LB about this.

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

Plantar. Fascitis. Look it up. It lasts a while, and extended minutes would aggravate it. He might not be able to play as well on minute 28.

[captaincrunk]

This is the reality of Tyrus's minutes:

October – 24 mpg
November – 20.7 mpg
December – 18.6 mpg

He is playing less and less. Has nothing to do with a recent quad injury...it's been a larger seasonal trend.

We didn't have Kwame early on, or McGuire. When McGuire is in that means Brown plays more 4. When Kwame is in that means he takes some 5 away from Tyrus. When Tyrus isn't playing the 4 or the 5 he's on the bench. So he's on the bench a lot. Whaddya know, as the players came back the minutes were spread more. Weird...

[MPM]

Plantar. Fascitis. Look it up. It lasts a while, and extended minutes would aggravate it. He might not be able to play as well on minute 28.

We're debating injuries now? Just show me the injury report that confirms this or any mention whatsoever from a Bobcats coach or team official that references Thomas' minutes being limited due to injury and I'll be happy to shut up.

In the meantime, don't base your case for Tyrus' minutes being limited due to injury on a small mention in a Rick Bonnell piece back on November 25th that mentioned Tyrus getting treatment for a "mild case of plantar fasciitis." Which just happened to be after a stellar performance against the Knicks.

Don't you think someone - anyone - would bring this injury up? When Hendo was limited by injury it was written about quite a bit. Larry said straight out that he would rather have a player sit than have them aggravate an injury by playing through it. Plus, Bonnell is regularly crucified over at the Observer on the Tyrus playing time issue. You don't think he would've pulled ongoing injury complications out of his journalistic bag of tricks?

[MPM]

This is the reality of Tyrus's minutes:

October – 24 mpg
November – 20.7 mpg
December – 18.6 mpg

He is playing less and less. Has nothing to do with a recent quad injury...it's been a larger seasonal trend.

We didn't have Kwame early on, or McGuire. When McGuire is in that means Brown plays more 4. When Kwame is in that means he takes some 5 away from Tyrus. When Tyrus isn't playing the 4 or the 5 he's on the bench. So he's on the bench a lot. Whaddya know, as the players came back the minutes were spread more. Weird...

OK. OK. I see that you're going mad religious on this one. Let's just agree to disagree. My view is simply that Tyrus deserves more playing time. If you think he doesn't (due to phantom undocumented injury or the amazing play of Kwame Brown and Brick) than so be it.

[fatlever]

i agree with mpm, if the injury was still a problem and was limiting tyrus to less than 20mpg then i think we would have heard more about it.

we are a team desperate for offense right now and one of our top offensive players isnt getting many minutes. if we were winning it wouldnt be a big deal, but at 9-17, what we have been doing isnt working, so i dont mind questioning rotations and playing time.

oh, yeah, and this is the same player we gave up a 1st round pick, chose over resigning felton AND committed 40 million in salary for, so yeah, im a little annoyed that we arent finding out exactly what this kid can do with more playing time.

he makes mistakes, he blows defensive assignments, he turns the ball over, but so does 2/3rds of our team. let the kid play through some mistakes.

like mpm said, if it really is all related to injury and nothing else, touche, i will shut up.

[Battery]

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

Alright so according to you he's not hurt. Next up on the list is his poor defense...

I'm not debating his poor man D. I'll give you that. However, he is a terrific help defender, leading the team in blocks and 4th in steals (in only 20 mpg). I think what everyone is suggesting (other than yourelf) is that what he brings to the table far outweighs what he doesn't. His offensive punch is much more valuable to this team than throwing another offensively limited hustle defender on the court for 40 mpg. He has the highest PER on the team, the third highest FG%, and the highest PPS. More simply put, it's illogical that we don't have one of, it not our most, efficient offensive player on the court for more minutes, especially when other starters are out with real injuries and we lose game after game with a crippled offense.

Also, he is not the only mistake prone player on this team - we are a turnover prone bunch with some kooky plays made by all - he is just the only one that seems to be yanked for making mistakes.

I don't see Tyrus clogging the lane with his defense, what I see is him playing off to the side. Same problem Jokafor has. Sure he gets a few blocks and steals, but we never see him play straight up in your face DEFENSE. You know, like getting directly in front of a player coming down the lane, taking charges and making the opposing defense kick the ball back out. Nope, what we see when Tyrus is in the game is an easy path to the rim. It's what separates the good defensive players from the weak ones and so far TT has not shown a willingness to get his body out front when trying to defend. Everything is off to the side and it's why we give up easy lay ups when he's on the court.

[Battery]

He's playing hurt!!

I can't believe people are still getting on LB about this.

He had a strained quad over a week ago that kept him on the bench, right? It wasn't a broken spine. Half of the players on the court play with lingering injuries. Stop using this as an excuse for Larry.

Plantar. Fascitis. Look it up. It lasts a while, and extended minutes would aggravate it. He might not be able to play as well on minute 28.

[captaincrunk]

Plantar. Fascitis. Look it up. It lasts a while, and extended minutes would aggravate it. He might not be able to play as well on minute 28.

We're debating injuries now? Just show me the injury report that confirms this or any mention whatsoever from a Bobcats coach or team official that references Thomas' minutes being limited due to injury and I'll be happy to shut up.

He's not out, he's just got plantar fasciitis. And he's not exactly Kobe Bryant, so why should it make headlines? He can still play.

In the meantime, don't base your case for Tyrus' minutes being limited due to injury on a small mention in a Rick Bonnell piece back on November 25th that mentioned Tyrus getting treatment for a "mild case of plantar fasciitis." Which just happened to be after a stellar performance against the Knicks.

So you're basically claiming that Bonnell is lying? Now it's just your word against his, fantastic.

Don't you think someone - anyone - would bring this injury up? When Hendo was limited by injury it was written about quite a bit. Larry said straight out that he would rather have a player sit than have them aggravate an injury by playing through it. Plus, Bonnell is regularly crucified over at the Observer on the Tyrus playing time issue. You don't think he would've pulled ongoing injury complications out of his journalistic bag of tricks?

Hendo wasn't just limited, he was out. I don't know who Rick Bonnell is anyway.


I offered you an explanation. You'd rather just assume coach doesn't play him because he's an **** then fine.

[fatlever]

I don't see Tyrus clogging the lane with his defense, what I see is him playing off to the side. Same problem Jokafor has. Sure he gets a few blocks and steals, but we never see him play straight up in your face DEFENSE. You know, like getting directly in front of a player coming down the lane, taking charges and making the opposing defense kick the ball back out. Nope, what we see when Tyrus is in the game is an easy path to the rim. It's what separates the good defensive players from the weak ones and so far TT has not shown a willingness to get his body out front when trying to defend. Everything is off to the side and it's why we give up easy lay ups when he's on the court.

this part i will agree with. i have noticed tyrus do this on many occasions. its like he is daring players to get past him so he can go for the block. its something wallace used to do a few years ago as well. i always prefer straight up defense, making opponents shoot jumpers, stay in front, keep hands up, dont gamble for steals, dont go for pump fakes. if they hit the shot, hats off. this is what boris does better than anyone on the team.