Jeremy Tyler was no doubt the center of attention.
Tyler’s journey, as he calls it, is well known.
Tyler lasted just 10 games into his first season before he left the team. Tyler thought a lack of a relationship with Coach Avi Ashkenazi that led to his struggles.
We just didn’t have one at all,” said Tyler. After leaving Israel, Tyler played for the Tokyo Apache of Japan’s bj-league. Under the tough guidance of Hill, Tyler started to find his game.
“I had a great relationship with Bob Hill, a great relationship with the GM and all my teammates,” said Tyler. In 33 games, Tyler averaged 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in playing just under 16 minutes a contest.
In his last game, played on the day before the earthquake hit, Tyler had 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Tyler qualified for the 2011 NBA Draft because he turned 20 on Jun. 21, just two days before the draft.
Because of what Tyler has gone though, Tyler should make the successful transition to the NBA. When Tyler was answering questions, he kept mentioning hard work while tightly clutching his new #3 jersey.
Where Tyler ended up in the draft will just give him more motivation.
When asked if he expects to play right away, Tyler mentioned hard work yet again.
“I don’t really expect anything,” said Tyler. Tyler is 6'11", weighs 260 lbs and has a wingspan of 7'5". It also helped that Tyler was coach by Hill in Japan. “Bob Hill is one of the toughest coach I have ever witness in my life,” said Tyler. Without hesitation, Tyler said yes.
To those who want to know, Tyler did graduate from high school.
Tyler will be given every opportunity by the Warriors to succeed.
Stephen Curry is likely on his way to being the next long-term starter, but as he hasn't reached that threshold yet, only 27% of the Warriors past lottery picks have become long-term starters.
More broadly, the rate of success for 11th picks in the lottery era (which has been in the lottery since 1990) is only marginally better (between 31-33% depending on how you count it) with 2004 Warriors lottery pick Andris Biedrins being the last to become a starter for the team that drafted him.
In other words, it should come as no surprise that the teams selecting in the lottery most often have been the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers (whose sordid lottery history, though slightly better than the Warriors, I'll spare you): lottery picks don't necessarily get you out of the lottery. It appeared that was especially obvious prior to the 2011 NBA Draft.
"I do hope he continues to work on his defense," Bone said of Thompson's limitations. Thompson is probably a better defender than he's given credit for, despite Bone's observation - nobody plays for former WSU coach Tony Bennett without playing defense and Thompson started all 33 games for Bennett during his freshman season. Obviously, people will see whatever they want to see with the addition of Thompson: if you want Ellis traded, the addition of Thompson will lead you to believe he's on his way out; if you want to keep the Curry-Ellis combo together, Thompson is a great complementary addition to the backcourt rotation
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