Bulls' Thomas out with flu-like illness
By TOM MUSICK – tmusick@nwherald.com
CHICAGO – Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas missed Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks after he left a morning practice early because of flu-like symptoms.
The timing of Thomas’ illness raised eyebrows among Bulls observers. Thomas was benched for the entire fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss at Miami, and the team did not extend his contract before this week’s deadline.
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro was asked whether he was unhappy with Thomas’ play. The temperamental power forward has averaged 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds through his first three games.
“I’m unhappy with our play as a team,” said Del Negro, who occasionally clashed with Thomas last season. “I’m not going to talk about guys individually like that. Everyone needs to pick it up a little bit.”
If Thomas was upset by being benched against the Heat, he did not tell his coach.
“I haven’t seen him all day,” Del Negro said. “So next time I see him, if something’s on his mind, he knows where to find me, and we’ll talk. But he just needs to get healthy right now.”
First start: Rookie forward Taj Gibson earned his first NBA start with Thomas out sick.
Gibson, 24, averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in his first three games off the bench. He played 20 minutes Tuesday, with five points and six rebounds, while being defended by Bucks forward Hakim Warrick much of the night.
The Bulls’ other first-round pick from this summer’s draft, James Johnson, has played only 11 minutes this season. Del Negro said Johnson’s playing time would increase as long as he continued to work hard.
“He’s been playing a lot better, practicing a lot better,” Del Negro said.
Bulls bits: Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson watched the game from a suite at the United Center. Fans gave a loud ovation when the team showed Johnson on the scoreboard. ... Bulls guard Jannero Pargo has been bothered by back pain, Del Negro said. Pargo entered the game in the third quarter.
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