Tyrus Thomas Soaring to New Heights...Literally

Over the past week, Thomas has marked up the box score, including his most recent performance Saturday in a 112-108 OT loss to Cleveland

This time last year, Tyrus Thomas led LSU to the Final Four as a freshmen.

Now, Thomas (T^2) is blossoming into the player everybody thought he could be when the Bulls traded the second pick LaMarcus Aldridge to Portland for the fourth pick Thomas. In a heart-breaking overtime loss to Cleveland 112-108 on Saturday, Thomas scored a career-high 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds, snatched three steals, swatted three shots, and had a handful of high-flying dunks. Thomas also shot a sensational 9-11 from the field and 9-10 from the free throw line in a career-high 37 minutes of action off the bench.

Over the past week, Thomas has come into his own. It all started with his game-winning tip against Denver with two-tenths of a second left on March 22. Thomas' tip-in propelled the Bulls to a 109-108 victory. He also notched nine points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive in only 21 minutes of action. Then on March 29, in 27 minutes of action Thomas scored 13 points and grabbed 10 boards (six offensive) enabling the Bulls to squeak by the pesky Detroit Pistons 83-81.

All of this has been made possible due to the injury to Andres Nocioni. Nocioni has been suffering from plantar fasciitis since Feb. 3 and has not played in a game since Feb. 22, in which he only logged 15 minutes. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia (heel) of the foot. Nocioni's injury paved the way for Thomas and will continue to do so since the Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday that Nocioni still had inflammation in his right foot.

Without Nocioni, the Bulls have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA and the hottest team in the Eastern Conference since the All-Star break going 14-6. The Bulls can thank Thomas' play off the bench especially over the last week for their hot streak.

At only 20 years-old, Thomas has all the upside in the world. He is a player that progresses through confidence, which after Saturday's game vs. Cleveland should be through the roof. His athleticism on both ends of the floor was the reason he was drafted fourth overall last year. Now, every game fans are just waiting to jump out of their seats to celebrate one of Thomas' jaw-dropping, thunderous slams or monstrous, "get that junk out of my house" blocks.

If the past week is a sign of things to come (which I strongly believe it is) then the Bulls should be extremely pleased with Thomas' progress this year. The only thing they should be focused on is trying to overcome the 1 1/2 game difference separating them and the Cavs. The team that is able to hold on will get a comfy two seed, while the loser will have to deal with the fifth seed with no homecourt advantage.

With only ten games left and the playoffs just around the corner, the Bulls will have to count on Thomas more than ever. I do not see a problem with that because Thomas' energy, explosiveness, and athleticism will be on full displayed come April and playoff time for Chicago.