Rookie Thomas Ready to Help Bulls
(Photo by Oscar Lopez)
Rookie Tyrus Thomas gave the Bulls and their fans a little preview of what he will bring to the team when his jumper hit with 5.1 seconds left against Seattle in their second preseason game of the year. The Bulls went on to win the game 110-105 but more importantly Thomas’ 13 points and 8 rebounds displayed a player who is getting very comfortable in his new surroundings.
Thomas, the fourth overall pick in this year’s NBA draft out of LSU will most likely contribute right away despite finding playing time behind newcomers Ben Wallace and P.J. Brown. GM John Paxson always saw the potential in the young forward, so much that he traded the Bulls number one pick, LaMarcus Aldridge (2nd overall), to Portland for Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. Now it is apparent that Thomas has a vote of confidence from coach Skiles as well, who has implied that the rookie can be an immediate asset to the team and will certainly get his minutes.
Buzz – It’s early but do you feel that you’ve built a rapport with your new teammates yet?
Tyrus Thomas – The guys have all been positive and helpful. Everybody’s for the team and no one is really out for themselves. That’s the best group of guys you can play with – guys who are gonna help you and look out for you. I couldn’t ask to be in a better situation.
Buzz – In recent years that’s been the whole ideal of the Bulls – no playing to boost your own stats, just winning as a team.
Tyrus – Nobody’s concerned about themselves, just the team. It’s great.
Buzz – Has anyone taken you under their wing, so to speak?
Tyrus – All of them – everybody. I ask the veterans questions and they all give me advice.
Buzz – How is it playing with Ben Wallace?
Tyrus – It’s good. We have good veterans – people who are established. They know the league, the league knows them and they always have healthy advice.
Buzz – There are high expectations going into the season for the Bulls. Does that add pressure to the team?
Tyrus – If we play hard and execute, everything else will take care of itself.
Buzz – How is this different so far from college ball?
Tyrus – There’s a lot more to process. There’s more specifics as far as defensive schemes and things of that nature. You’ve just got to be mentally focused for the entirety of the time you’re out on the floor.
Buzz – How about the speed of the game? Is that something you need to get used to?
Tyrus – I’ve been with these guys all summer. I didn’t catch them by surprise at all. I think I was ready physically; it’s just the mental part that I’m going to have to continue to work on.
Buzz – Has anything surprised you about this team so far in training camp and preseason?
Tyrus – No. I mean, we made a lot of mistakes but it’s preseason and that’s when you get them out. I don’t think we’ve played bad at all but there’s some things that we have to correct and once we do that we’re going to be headed in the right direction.
Buzz – What’s the strength of this Bulls team?
Tyrus – Just the team unity. No one’s out for themselves and that’s going to be important down the stretch.
Buzz – How has it been playing for Coach Skiles?
Tyrus - He’s a great coach. He’s a great teacher and a great motivator. I couldn’t be playing for a better coach.
Buzz – Is he working you guys hard?
Tyrus – Oh yeah, but that comes with the territory. That’s what we get paid for. He wants us to become better players and for us to become a better team that wins. So that’s what his job is, and our job is to come in and do what he asks of us and execute as best as possible.
Tyrus – What NBA team did you follow growing up?
Tyrus – I followed a lot of teams but my era was the Bulls so this is a dream come true for me. Just playing in the NBA is a dream come true.