Thomas sick, not at Bulls game

By K.C. Johnson

Tyrus Thomas is home sick and will miss Tuesday night's home game against the Bucks.

Thomas arrived at the Berto Center Tuesday morning but was sent home by team personnel when he registered a fever. Team officials said he had a sore throat that was red as well. Thomas saw the Bulls' team physician Tuesday afternoon.

"He's not feeling real good right now," coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Thomas' illness comes on the heels of him not playing the entire fourth quarter of a close loss in Miami on Sunday and after the fourth-year forward took exception to Del Negro singling him out for poor defensive rotations during Monday's practice.

Asked if he's upset with Thomas' play, Del Negro didn't take the bait.

"I'm unhappy with our play as a team," he said. "I'm not going to talk about guys individually. Everyone needs to pick it up."

Asked if Thomas had expressed frustration to him, Del Negro said the following in a calm tone.

"I haven't seen Tyrus; he's sick," Del Negro said. "Next time I see him, if something's on his mind, he knows where to find me and we'll talk. He just needs to get healthy right now."

Jannero Pargo's back also is acting up again. Though the guard will dress, his availability is limited. That means the Bulls will have 10 bodies with Pargo limited.