Profiles in Courage: Tyrus Thomas

Everyone knew Ty Thomas could jump. One thing we didn’t know was this kid is intent on not being a project, some guy you talk about with a high ceiling for potential. He’s making an impact right now, and any ceiling he’s got has got to be pretty goddamned high, because he’d probably put his head through it otherwise.

One thing I’d like to see Ty develop is some attitude. After he throws down, he gets all wide-eyed and flails about trying to find his defensive assignment, dodging around the shell-shocked opponents. Forget that noise – let them inbound it, it’s cool. It’s way more important that you get a good scowl in on the punk you just dunked over. Take some notes from Flip Murray, after he crammed on Heinrich.

And another thing I’d like to see Ty develop is an offensive game that doesn’t involve two-fisted attacks on the rim. Right now his game is sushi-raw, and I’d probably prefer Big Ben shooting over Ty (after all, Ben’s got seniority)

NOTE: The remainder of this post is being written in the warm afterglow of Game 5.

Ty Thomas for president. The two most exciting plays in basketball are the dunk and the block, and Ty is a purveyor of both. He also has the delightful tendency of placing these basketball acts back-to-back, so you have to get out of your seat. His energy is obvious, and his leaping ability is borderline obscene. On one of his putbacks, he snagged the ball, brought it below his chin, then reached back up and stuffed it in. He hangs in the air longer than a Brad Maynard punt.

Also, remember how I said his offensive game was sushi-raw? Well, I’ll upgrade that to a very rare steak, because he had a spin move -> jump hook that really impressed me.

Kirk Heinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Ty Thomas. All we need to round out this young core of players is a great center…

And my personal favorite:

Profiles in Courage: Sasha Pavlovic

Every fan has his favorites, and the best favorites are the inexplicable ones. Throughout the league, certain players draw me to them – some with a train-wreck’s morbid appeal, some with a smooth magnetism, and some with simply the appeal of the unknown.

Pavlovic is probably a combination of the latter two. I’ve liked him for two years, and his recent tear only validates me.

A silky three pointer: Marion’s spasm is funny, but about as watchable as dry heaves. Pavlovic has the kind of stroke you can only call moist (coincidentally, this is the only time the word moist doesn’t make me want to scrub myself with coarse soap). Of late he’s been bombing it in with the kind of inexorability that makes the three so fun. Whereas when Duhon hoists a three, you hold your breath, wondering if it’s just going to be a brick or an honest to god airball; when Pavlovic fires away, you get three or so seconds to appreciate the parabola before it splashes safely down.

The best Sasha in the league: Sasha is a name for nymphets and washed-up supermodels, and this massive douche who plays on the Lakers. Sasha Vujacic is like Pavlovic’s skinny younger brother, who seems violently allergic to setting foot within the 3-point arc. Pavlovic is extremely athletic, and can cut to the hoop very well.

He doesn’t do much on defense: I can relate to this.

Second most compelling player on the Cavs: It’s easy to forget there’s anybody else on the floor when LeBron is playing – most possessions I track every single movement he makes, with or without the basketball. LeBron’s cuts are more interesting than watching the flailings of Varejao. Pavlovic, then, is a welcome relief. Hughes has never done much for me (I love the lankiness, but he never seems fully engaged), and Drew Gooden (it only took me five seconds to come up with his name) is boring as all hell. All he does is dunk and then scream about it. And not a good Alonzo Mourning scream, but one of those weak premeditated screams. By the way, doesn’t this make you think of Sinbad (the pirate, not the comedy genius)?

Anyway, look for young Pavlovic to get his against a ravaged Wizards squad.