Read this interesting piece on Tyrus Thomas. I didn't know he was such a good student. Graduating as a redshirt soph? Unreal. Can anyone substantiate this article since it clearly states that he has let everyone know he will not be entering the draft?

I think we all have seen over the past few games that he still has a lot of work to do, both in the weight room and with his offensive repetoire.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1194

For any of you who are not familiar with draft express, it is fairly well respected in NBA circles, comprised of NBA scouts globally.

Reason Prevails... Brady goes on the Offensive...

Yes. I think that this mock draft report is in direct response to the LSU game with Florida... see below.

So, a great read (and worth posting twice on this board) is the following article...

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11296866

It talks about the 17 scouts (including none other than LA native, Joe Dumars) at the LSU-Florida game to watch Big Baby and the new "lottery pick" Tyrus Thomas. The article gives me some comfort that absolute lunacy is not taking over this team and Tyrus in particular. The articles also features many quotes from Brady. Notes to the herd:

1. Brady does not just "let" his players run off. He's taking the offensive and he cares about these kids making it in the NBA and lasting (of course, you could say he's self-interested, but every college coach is).

2. If we follow the LSU "early" leavers, you really see how the quick cash probably sacraficed long-term NBA careers. Stro' ... arguably a "bust" in the NBA. Kedrick Brown ... lottery pick, but no longer playing. Brandon Bass ... NBDL. In contrast, Ronald Dupree, a high school top 100 kind of guy, who stayed in college for 4 years, didn't get drafted, but MADE a team... now playing for the Timberwolves.

3. Davis (and hopefully Thomas) is getting wise. Davis is a leader, he's a great influence on this team, and man, we should be supporting this team when there's kids like this on the squad. Brady's been needing one of his teams to really stay together a few years, and hopefully, this is it. Davis is saying the right things ... now.

:geauxtige

Re: Reason Prevails... Brady goes on the Offensive...

Bass is not in the NBDL. As best as I can tell, he's been on the Hornets roster all season long and was never put into the developmental league. If he was, it was briefly. I know he's been riding the pine for the hornets, seen him gathered with the team during timeouts for sure.

You're probably right. To clarify, the article reports that Brady says that Byron Scott has asked Bass to play in the developmental league... If he's sitting on the bench, he might not be there too long.

It's really a shame, and I feel for the kid.

Bass said he didn't want to play in the NBDL because he figures he could learn a lot more riding the bench in the NBA then playing in a developmental league. Don't think I disagree with him there.

Re: Reason Prevails... Brady goes on the Offensive...

Agree 100% with everything above exception of bolded statement regarding Stromile.

SS would not have been a better NBA player had he stayed at LSU and left with his class. It wouldn't have added to his "long -term NBA career". That argument doesn't really hold true for TT or GD. But when you have the opportunity to be the #2 overall and make the serious $$$ EVEN IF YOU AREN'T ALL THAT, then ya GOTTA GO. I don't think any reasonable person would argue with that.

Yeah, SS is an NBA bust, BUT - he made great $$$ with his talent and timing in that draft.

Give him credit for that. :thumb:

I don't think I disagree with you. I'm smart enough to realize that although I was crushed that Stro' left early and it had somewhat of a crippling effect on the Tigers' hopes the next year, if you are really going to be drafted #2 in the L, you go. AND, Stro' at least is still playing, although he's averaging like 9 points being a complementary player to Yao and TMac (I do think that he IS a "bust" by NBA standards, when you consider that as a #2 pick, you should be an all-star and an impact player on your NBA team).

So, I do give him credit for chasing his dream and being able to get himself some good $. But, while it wasn't a hard call for Stro' .... it was a hard call for Bass, and may be for Davis and Thomas--and if it's really a hard call, stay in school. For K.Brown, it was a much more debatable situation. He was a lottery pick, at #11, and so got his three years of guaranteed $$, but now, he's not playing. Would a year or two in college have seasoned him some more? Debatable, but only he can answer.

I'll say I watched some old footage of Stro' in college and let's just be honest, Tyrus is no Stro' ... yet. Stro' could hit the 12 footer, as well as show some legit low post moves. He had great jumping ability, but was also stronger than Tyrus is now. I just think if Tyrus is smart, he'll take the time to get bigger, develop more of a low post game, and a little bit of an outside shot. Even if it's not about guaranteeing a lottery spot, it should be about really being ready to play and being effective at the next level.

Re: Reason Prevails... Brady goes on the Offensive...

tyrus needs to add some bulk...and work on his low post moves a little more....that whole shot blocking thing...i think he does that pretty good already.

interestingly, looking back at that 2000 draft - wow - what a weak draft. you would think that one bonafide super star would emerge from the lottery picks but not even close. kenyon martin, the #1 pick, has been the best of this bunch, but look at the first round as a whole - not good with the exection of mike miller, turkulou and picks 19-21. I can't blame stro for coming out, but it's hard to believe he would have garnered the same slot in the last two drafts.

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft00/rounds/round1.html