If there was any doubt surrounding Tyrus Thomas' future with the Bulls, there isn't anymore. The Bulls' decision to suspend Thomas for Saturday's game reiterated exactly how they feel about their talented, sparingly used forward: They're tired of the whole Tyrus Thomas-thing.

And though this report can't spell Vinny Del Negro's name right, it's clear that Thomas won't be a Bull for much longer.

Playing time and Thomas' role with the Bulls suggests he may not have been given a fair chance to succeed, especially this season. He averages 22.8 minutes per game (7th on the team); he has only started three games, even though Taj Gibson has been bothered with plantar fasciitis for over a month; he is normally yanked immediately following any mistake; and barring a unique set of circumstances, Thomas doesn't get heavy minutes at the end of games.

However, this isn't a coach-player battle like Thomas' profanity-filled verbal assault aimed at the head coach would make it seem. Considering Del Negro's lame duckiness, constant trade rumors involving Thomas, and talks of a contract extension that "never pushed past perfunctory", this is bigger than a coach not liking a player.

The desire to move on without Thomas is organizational. And considering the Bulls' history with draft picks, they aren't simply giving up on him. This is the same team that is notorious for thinking too highly of its own players. Really, does not giving a high draft pick a chance sound like something the Bulls would do?

Giving up on a draft pick, without a reason, isn't in their character. They just don't seem worried about Thomas turning his career around for another team.

Some think Thomas just needs a change of scenery, and Thomas' athletic ability and talent make success somewhere else a possibility. In the Bulls' situation, Thomas has more talent in his pinkie than Gibson does his entire body, but talent only is a deciding factor once a player reaches some bare minimums -- like being in the right position every once in a while.

Thomas should know what he has to do to get more playing time, he just doesn't do it consistently enough. In January, Del Negro mentioned how Thomas could make his way back to the starting lineup.

"Being athletic, running the court, hitting open 15-footers," Del Negro said. "Not floating on the perimeter when he's at power forward. He has to just play, not turn the ball over and be smart.

"Nothing's going on. When guys execute the game plan, play hard, do what they're supposed to do and deserve to be out there, they're out there. When guys aren't executing the game plan -- not just Tyrus, anybody -- they won't be. You need to take good shots and not turn the ball over and play good, solid basketball."

The Bulls' plan for Thomas is simple -- play near the basket, take good shots and run -- still, Thomas is half as likely to take a shot from 16-23 feet (2.3 shots from this range) than he is to take one within 10 feet (4.2 per game). This ratio for Thomas isn't good enough, and based on Del Negro's statement, Thomas knows this.

Though, at this point, since Thomas won't be around for much longer, none of this really matters anymore.

Erick is a contributor to i94 Sports. You can find his daily thoughts at his site Outside the Clubhouse.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (3)

...
written by Rex P. Jaybels , February 10, 2010

So what's the endgame here? Do you see Thomas involved in a trade, and where might he go?

...
written by Erick Ward , February 11, 2010

I don't know what the Bulls are going to do before next week. Apparently, they are asking for a lot. http://www.blogabull.com/2010/...-thomas-is

...
written by Erick Ward , February 11, 2010

Here's more information on a Thomas trade. I'll wait until something actually happens for a post, but I guess there is some interest.

From Adrian Wojnarowski:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/ne...&type=lgns

Write comment

Name

Email

Website

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment