[外電] Thomas: The big screen
Thomas: The big screen
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By K.C. Johnson, Tribune reporter
5:56 p.m. CDT, March 16, 2011
Bulls center is a great pick-and-pop guy
It's when players start complaining to the referees that Kurt Thomas knows
he's not only smothering their bodies but messing with their head.
"I hear that all the time," Thomas said. "But opponents know that's what I
do. They know I'm going to set a hard screen on them every time."
Thomas' screening ability might not be the most exciting topic in the world
for a team chasing the Celtics for the Eastern Conference's top seed. But
just watch the veteran big man one game. Savor the league's second-oldest
player creating contact that is both brutal and beautiful.
It's this fundamental play and attention to detail that creates offensive
spacing and allows the Bulls to not miss a beat offensively when Thomas
replaces the injured Carlos Boozer.
"Coaches love that about me because it's very important," Thomas said. "If
you're a big fan of the NBA, you know that pick-and-roll is if not the No. 1
thing, it's right there with isolation. I've realized the importance of it
and I feel just as good if someone comes off a screen and hits a shot as when
I make a shot."
Thomas isn't the only one.
"Booz sets good screens," Kyle Korver said. "(Keith) Bogans sets good
screens. Omer (Asik) sets good screens. Jo tries really hard. He's still
working on separating after setting it and finishing. But Kurt is the best
and gives everybody space to do what they do. Derrick (Rose) can get to the
basket. Luol (Deng) can slash. I can get open shots. He does all the little
things.
"Kurt's not the most athletic guy anymore, but he plays the game so smart.
And a big part of playing smart basketball is setting good screens.
Obviously, he's a big body. But he knows the angles and how to separate after
the screen. If you separate well, your man doesn't want to help that long
because he has to get back to Kurt. That's why he's been a great pick-and-pop
guy from 15 to 17 feet his whole career."
Thomas credits fellow Dallas product Dennis Rodman, whom he watched, and
Charles Oakley, who he played with, as bruise brothers who influenced his
screening ability.
"And it started for me down in Miami, playing in Pat Riley's systems and
understanding the importance of attention to detail," Thomas said. "If I'm
consistent and making contact and being solid, referees know that's what I do
so I can get away with a little bit more."
Korver, the beneficiary of such screens, just smiled.
"A lot of people think it's easy to hit a person with your body," he said.
"But there's so much more to it. Only a select few can run pick-and-roll
really well. And that's a huge part of the game. You can only drive to the
basket or play one-on-one so much. Other offense has to be involved and all
of that involves screening."
Layups: Joakim Noah participated in the light practice and will start after
missing one game with the flu. "He looked great," coach Tom Thibodeau said.
"He's fine." ... Carlos Boozer shot but is still day-to-day with his sprained
left ankle. "Each day he does a little more," Thibodeau said. "But we want to
be smart about it. We're not going to rush. When he's completely healthy,
he'll be back." ... Thibodeau on Brian Scalabrine holding the ball as the
clock wound down and fans screamed for the Bulls to make a basket to give
them free hamburgers Tuesday night. "He knows what to do. And that's the
right thing to do." ... The Nets beat the Bulls the last meeting and have won
five straight with Deron Williams. "You have a lot of 3-point shooting,"
Thibodeau said. "Deron is one of the best point guards in the league. (Kris)
Humphries is having a great season and hurt us badly the last game. And
(Brook) Lopez is a tough cover."
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