Thomas / Davis Press Conference 3pm Today

I just don't see how you can say Tyrus is so far ahead of Stro with the similar histories they have had...

Tyrus had a tough time in high school with people

So did Stro

Stro had problems qualifying, and then was angry that Brady didn't give him "his playing time"

Tyrus got a redshirt his freshman year, then according to some, had the same issues with starting the year off the bench

Stro had a decent outside game, but was not as long

Tyrus has a not an unpolished outside game, but is longer...

No one nationally except SEC fans knew stro until the NCAAs
No one nationally except SEC fans knew Ty until the NCAAs

Stro has a big block and dunk on Mihm to beat Texas,
Ty has a big block and dunk on Paulus and McRoberts to beat Duke

Overall, yeah, he can work on all of these things and be really good... I just see can't see how with all of the similarities, you can go out on a limb and guarantee that Tyrus "gets" it...

he only has 2 and a half years of organized ball under his belt with all of the "on and off" high school problems he had

 

or lester earl


All I can say is that some shark screamed "SHOW ME THE MONEY"......and TT's eyes lit up with bling bling.....
What a way to be remembered.

 

Isn't he married? seems I remember someone saying so on a game. if so he may not have been the only person making the decision if it concerned alot of coin. just a thought, might be way off. never know.

 

TYRUS THOMAS OPENING STATEMENT...

"I just want to thank everybody for being here: my teammates, coaches, family and all the administrators I have been in contact with the past two years who have helped me become a better person and player. I just want to let LSU fans know that last night I officially gave up my college eligibility by singing with Elfus-Siegel Management and I will be entering the 2006 NBA draft."

On making the decision to enter the NBA draft...
"I know I have to improve mentally and physically. I just think when you’re hot you’re hot and right now a lot of people are high on me. I feel I need to take advantage of this opportunity. I am in a great position to do great things for myself, my family, the city of Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana."

"I know I can become a better college player and I can accomplish some other personal goals. But as far as on the NBA level, which is my ultimate goal, I can’t really improve my stock. I figured I should jump at the opportunity now and just work hard like I have been doing to become a better player."

On signing with an agent...
"I thought hard about it but I knew what I wanted to do in my heart. I figured by signing with an agent and taking that step I can accomplish things faster on the business side of things."

On finishing school...
"I am going to be finishing this semester. I am still in my classes. At some point I do wish to come back and get a degree. I plan on finishing my classes on a good note this semester."

On if any certain thing pushed him to make the decision...
"I pretty much had it in my mind what I wanted to do. I just talked to my family and coach (Brady) and they gave me advice. Knowing that I had 100 percent from them made my decision a lot easier knowing I had some good folks behind me."

On talking to his teammates about his decision...
"Not only did I talk to Glen but my teammates as well because those guys were with me everyday. We battled together, worked together and I felt like I was kind of obligated to discuss those things with them because we had a bond. They all knew where I stood and they know just because I am not going to be there doesn’t mean the clock is going to stop ticking. I just hope you guys (teammates) remember the taste of UCLA and get back there next year."

 

that last statement and the going back to school statement make me think that he genuinely would have stayed if he believed he wasnt at his top potential for making money in the draft. he realized that he could get injured next year and ruin his NBA career. i think he will be a true tiger in the future and hopefully return a lot to TAF over the years

 

cgisclair, you have some valid points. You also aren't keeping an open mind on this issue I think.

After listening to Thomas, I have to believe that he thinks, after talking to people who know much more than any of us, that he can elevate his game more by practicing in the NBA and most likely being in summer leagues. He also believes that this is his best shot at getting drafted in the top of the draft, which could be influenced much by who is going to be eleigible next year.

And who's to say that he would be drafted that high next season, no one knows for sure? Who's to say that practicing against those long players you keep describing won't be better for him then playing and practicing in college? Every expert I've listened to today on both LA and Atlanta radio and on ESPN seem to think he is doing the correct thing.

 

Why would he wait until the finals to shut it down instead of doing so in the regionals or in the early rounds if this were the case. Why wait until the whole nation was watching to purposely play a bad game. Why risk hurting hios rep and dropping completely out of the first round if this got out? I don't buy any of it.

 

theres nothing really to argue over now...hes gone...just gotta wish him luck and support....I personally think he will succeed more than stro has to this point....but I guess we will have to see.

 

Thanks Tyrus, goog luck to you !

 

you're getting too wrapped up in the details, gisclair. the difference between stro and TT is that swift was a McDonalds HS all american. He came to LSU with a feeling of entitlement. TT came in as a lightly recruited, novice basketball player with a chip on his shoulder. Yes, TT was not a good student when he came to LSU. He was just an average basketball player, as well. Fast forward to 2005- TT worked his ass off and became a 3.0 student and earned playing time to now become a lottery pick. That's the intangible that you fail to see. When you have to earn something, you realize what got you there. Look at swift - he's been in the league for about 5-6 yrs. and really hasn't improved that much. He took the big free agent contract from the rockets and has been a disappointment. All you have to do is listen to TT's comments about finishing school this semester. Swift left as soon as he declared. As I said before, TT gets it, Swift doesn't.