Tyrus Thomas Leaving Chicago.....Should we get him?

[DoDiGaG0]

Cousins is 6'11 285 lbs...

look at Dejuan Blair...if one thing translates into the NBA its hardnose boxingout shoving rebounding and that is what Cousins is good at. I honestly don't see the huge offensive offside in him v. someone like an Ed Davis or Ed Favors but I think he can realistically put up like 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 2.0 BPG while playing solid physical D.

 

[bajaden]

Cousins is 6'11 285 lbs...

look at Dejuan Blair...if one thing translates into the NBA its hardnose boxingout shoving rebounding and that is what Cousins is good at. I honestly don't see the huge offensive offside in him v. someone like an Ed Davis or Ed Favors but I think he can realistically put up like 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 2.0 BPG while playing solid physical D.

Cousins is a pretty darned good offensive player. He has a very good and very quick dropstep move that he uses on the left block that he uses to seal his man from the inside. He has a couple of different hook shots that he uses. Basicly, in college he's bigger and stronger than just about anyone he comes up against. Upon entering the NBA, he'll still be one of the biggest and strongest players. And he's only 20 years old.

I'm sure there will be a few bumps in the road while translating his game to the NBA level. But in a couple of years I see him being just as effective in the post as someone like Al Jefferson. But he should be a better defender than Jefferson.

 

[Kingster]

Well lets just start with size. Thomas measured out at 6' 7.25" in his barefeet at the combine. He weighed around 218 pounds. He did have a 7'3" wingspan which helps make up for his lack of height. But considering that Landry measured out at 6' 7.75" and is considered an undersized PF, then I think its fair to say that Thomas is an undersized PF. An athletic one, but none the less undersized.

Cousins is listed at 6'11". And while its true we don't as yet have combine measurements on him, he does look every bit that tall. So to be fair, lets say that he's 6'10". He is reported to have a 7' 6" wingspan and I think that was measured at the McDonaldls. He weighs 275 pounds. And while he's not as athletic as Thomas, I would call him an above average athlete for his size..

This is Thomas fourth year in the league. He's had that long to prove he belongs and he hasn't done it. And, the main problem with his head revolves around his play. He's very inconsistant, and also fancies himself as a scorer. He's had trouble getting along with his coaches, particularly Del Negro. And while Del Negro isn't exactly the cream of the crop of coaches, he did have sucess with gettin Noah's game up to speed.

Cousins head problems have more to do with his temper, and probable immaturity. But so far as I can see it hasn't really affected his play. He plays hard and seems to do everything thats been asked of him. He's a legitimate big man with skill. Players like him don't come around all that often. I wouldn't trade Cousins for three Thomas. Of course I don't have him to trade. I would be happy with any of the top four.

By the way, Favors had a terrific game the other day. I don't remember all the stats, but I watched it and he finally gave me that wow factor. He was everything his press clippings said he was suspossed to be. It was very encouraging to see. If we could get either Cousins or Favors, then the basketball god's are smiling on us.

Interesting about Favors. It makes me feel a tad bit better about the draft. Up until now, he's been "hiding" being terrible guard play.

 

[Kingster]

Oh goodness you take Cousins 99 out of 100 times.. The only 1 time you might take Thomas is if you have a PF/C combo which is dominant. The whole Cousins thing is blown a bit out of proportion imo. He has a bit of a mean streak, but he hasn't done anything (except for a couple forearms and elbows) but the games this happened in were rough at both ends. The Louisville game comes to mind as I think they made a big deal about if if I remember correctly. They are putting him under a microscope and reporting every questionable thing he does since he has that rep when other players do the same thing he does.

I don't have a problem with people like Cousins over Thomas. But I really wonder how justified it really is to like a guy you've seen in the NBA over one that you haven't seen in the NBA. We all know it's difficult to assess a guy in college. That's why there are always busts in drafts. The GMs have to imagine how the college guy, with in many cases only with one year of college experience, is going to play in the NBA. It's risky. I sometimes wonder if fans invest all the potentially good things in the college guy and dismiss the potential bad and all the unknowns, whereas they focus on all the bad stuff with the guy already in the NBA. It's almost like the grass is greener syndrome.

 

[bajaden]

I don't have a problem with people like Cousins over Thomas. But I really wonder how justified it really is to like a guy you've seen in the NBA over one that you haven't seen in the NBA. We all know it's difficult to assess a guy in college. That's why there are always busts in drafts. The GMs have to imagine how the college guy, with in many cases only with one year of college experience, is going to play in the NBA. It's risky. I sometimes wonder if fans invest all the potentially good things in the college guy and dismiss the potential bad and all the unknowns, whereas they focus on all the bad stuff with the guy already in the NBA. It's almost like the grass is greener syndrome.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I try to be fair when I evaluate a college player. Which is one of the reasons I try to watch as many games as I can before making any kind of final judgement. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with Cousins the first time I saw him. But about five games in I started to get a more complete picture of him. And after about 20 games I feel fairly comfortable with any conclusions I have of him. Obviously I haven't watched every player that many times. But most of the players I comment on I've probably seen a minimum of 4 to 5 times. Guys like Whiteside, Benson, Parakhouski, etc, because they play in lesser conferences and their just not on that many times. The rest I've seen somewhere around 10 to 12 times.

Now I realize that most people don't have the time to watch as many games as I do. Or don't have the desire. But to watch just one game, or perhaps even two games and then draw a conclusion is almost impossible. Unless you just get real lucky. It would be like watching one Kings game all year to scout Beno. If you happen to catch one of his good ones you'll see things one way, and if you just happen to catch one of his bad ones. Well you can see what I mean.

So when I watch a college player I don't give any more significance to a bad game than I do a great game. But if I watch 20 games, and 18 out of the 20 are all very consistant to one another, then I assume thats who the player is. Now I may rave about a player. Such as Turner. But I do point out that his outside shot is suspect and is his one real weakness. So I may like a player, but I do try to point out whatever flaws he may have.

As far as criticism reaching a higher level once a player gets into the NBA. I think fans have their own perception of what a players capabilities are. And they pass judgement based on that. It may not be realistic at times but thats the way it is. Also some fans have their own favorites that they wanted drafted, and their reasons why they wanted that player over the player that was drafted. So they have a tendecy to highlight any mistakes the player that was drafted makes. Personally I root for any player we draft to succeed. There's no reward for the team if one of our picks fails. And because I've seen so many teams give up on players too early, I'm probably more williing than some, to be more patient with young players.

Anyway, I've gotten too long winded here. One thing you said was very true though. Almost all draft picks are a crap shoot to a certain extent. By that, I mean the degree to which they meet expectations. Because success or failure is not determined by anything but those expectations. Which sometimes just aren't fair. Thabeet being a prime example. If Thompson for example ends up being a 15 and 9 guy, he may be a success in his own mind, but a failure in the minds of the fans. It all about perception..