Chicago Bulls Take Em Or Leave Em: Thabo Sefalosha
Last week’s bone-headed inbounds play aside, one thing is generally true about Thabo Sefalosha: he doesn’t lose any games for you.
The third year guard from Switzerland plays solid defense and takes care of the ball. The problem with Thabo, and the reason he averages just under 17 minutes a game, is that he doesn’t really do very much to help a team win.
Supposedly he is a good shooter in practice, with range that extends out beyond the three-point line. He is long, strong, and has serious hops. So why hasn’t he contributed the way he should?
In fairness to Sefalosha he as been part of the Bulls logjam at the guard position for a few years now. One could make the argument that he hasn’t gotten enough PT to develop his game.
But the former first round pick got his chance to start the year after Vinny Del Negro basically willed him into the starting lineup. It quickly became clear that Sefalosha couldn’t make open shots and after missing 12 of his first 15 three point attempts he lost all confidence in his jumper.
The man does play exceptional on the ball defense, and unlike the undersized Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, at 6-7 Sefalosha can play with the premier Lebron, Kobe, Vince Carter sized guards in the league.
The problem has always been on the offensive end where Sefalosha looks perpetually timid. The game seems too fast for him and he constantly passes up open jumpers.
His defense and athletic ability made him a first round pick three years ago but the Bulls patience with him might be waning. It is not clear how much trade value he really has considering the fact that he doesn’t play much on the sub .500 Bulls.
For all the talk of first round busts like Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas (who looks to be shedding that image) no one really mentions Thabo Sefalosha, who has done less than anybody.
So Bulls fans, Thabo Sefalosha, take ‘em or leave ‘em?
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