Tribune News Services
The Bulls suspended forward Tyrus Thomas for their game against the Miami Heat on Saturday for conduct detrimental to the team.
Thomas' suspension is another blow to a team that had lost three straight and was already short-handed up front for Saturday's game, with Joakim Noah sidelined by plantar fasciitis in his left foot that is expected to keep him out until after the All-Star break.
"It's unfortunate timing, but in the short run, there's a responsibility," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "No one player is bigger than the team, and there's a responsibility to do things right. ... It's not one person. It's a group, and you have to be committed to what your role is on the team. You have to be committed to your teammates, your coaches, the organization. That doesn't go just for Tyrus; it goes for everybody."
Thomas, who missed seven weeks with a broken left forearm, is averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds over 25 games in his fourth season. He played well when he returned in late December, scoring 21 points and 19 points in two of his first three games back, but his role lately has been limited. He played 16 minutes at Atlanta on Friday after getting 15 minutes in back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
"We all get frustrated," veteran guard Lindsey Hunter said. "You can't act out your frustrations. At some point, you have to grow up and be a man about it."
He hopes Thomas will grow from this.
"Maybe this'll help him understand he needs to get beyond some things," Hunter said.
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
Two words:
LaMarcus Aldridge
Lindsey Hunter should just shut his mouth. What has Lindsey Hunter done on the court this year to justify his position as the mouthpiece of the Chicago Bulls (absolutely nothing)? Lindsey is just angling to be another of the "organization" guys that Reinsdorf likes to keep around to serve as convenient yes men.
If I were Tyrus, I'd block Hunter's next shot attempt right down his big mouth. That is if Lindsey is even capable of practicing.
Keep it in the locker room Hunter, that is the grown up thing to do....hypocrite.
You could have seen this suspension coming from 100 miles away. I am definitely a Thomas defender because I'd really like to know what we have if he could get consistent minutes, but it isn't going to happen here. VDN is an idiot and the minute he came back, played hard and well, then still got snubbed (the game they started Miller instead of him - his 4th back I think), was it. It has been downhill since. This part about being a pro and sucking it up is horse crap. He is better than those playing ahead of him and is obviously frustrated. Just trade him already. Bulls cannot develop athletes anymore. They need to just draft 4 year college players, who are fundamentally sound, stay .500 and leave it at that. How does Johnson not even see the court today? I don't care about this season. Can we see what we have to go with a FA next year? Salmons, Miller, Not going to be here - don't need to get 40 mins.
while lashing out towards team/coach is not welcomed, the bigger issue here is the effect rather than the cause. Tyrus should have retained his position after returning from injury and continueing to play Gibson over Tyrus adding insult to injury. Part of coaching and organization is to try to nuture events that lead to team grownth and harmony. The effect rather than your cause is being played out addressed. Either Play Tyrus or trade him...
De-value-ing of Tyrus continues...Sad to c....
Has anyone seen this kid play. I hope that we trade him and do it quickly. His body language is worse than Jay Cutler's and reminds me of a 12 yr old boy in a rec center league. He has no endearing attributes on the floor. He is almost the same player he was when he got to Chicago. There is a distinct difference between Jo Noah's development and Tyrus Thomas'. He needs to go. He is a burden to everyone in the organization and on the team. TRADE HIM!
If they trade him he will blossom!
Face it, the kid is a basketball moron. His IQ is 0. Yea he can jump out the gym but he is not a winner and he cares less about winning and more about being the reason why the Bulls win!
If conduct detrimental to a team cost Tyrus a one game suspension, shouldn't Vinny be out as a coach? He is by far the most pathetic coach I have ever seen. He makes you want to bring back Tim Floyd. ouch!
Just another cry baby who thinks he should be given everything in life. Typical basketball player who probably spends more time getting tattoo's than he does practicing on his game. Gimmee, gimmee is all they expect.
The last person I want to here criticizing anyone is a roster spot thief like Lindsey Hunter. Just go put on a suit and tie and sit behind the bench already. New rule:You should at least be a contributor on the court before you can speak out to the media about anyone on your team.
Another bad decision made by the team I love. Thomas is still "only" 24 and has tons of talent and potential. Nothing against Taj Gibson, who has been outstanding as a #26 pick 1st year player but Thomas should have been given his starting job back upon his return and all of this BS probably wouldn't have happened. I don't like this.
look ! i'd be mad too if not given a chance ! look at the last game.we needed him in there for the defense.
they have given so many players away, time to give away another.WHO THE HELL WANTS TO PLAY FOR THE CHICAGO CLOWNS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BLACKHAWKS !!!!!!
Del Negro was instrumental in picking Gibson #1, why do you think he plays the guy 35 minutes and plays the more talented Thomas 15 minutes. He wants to make sure Gibson succeeds, even if it means sacrificing Thomas.
Thats just stupid. What about Joakim Noah? Hes on the verge of being an all star...why? Because he works hard and earned his starting job. Tyrus just expected things to be handed to him. And thats not how an NBA star becomes a superstar
Tyrus must have told Vinny what everyone already knows....that he is a pathetic coach who shouldn't be coaching a professional basketball team. Should be interesting watching Miller play another 40 minutes in the second game of a back to back. Meanwhile Paxson is still hiding in his luxury suite, sucking up to Jerry Reinsdorf.....while Gar Foreman shines their shoes.
Who didn't see this coming? Tyrus lost his starting job due to an injury and was replaced by a less talented player. This was followed by being buried on the bench and not seeing more than 15 minutes per game.
I recall an athletic forward with loads of potential several years back. A bit of a head case: had run-ins with the coach and was suspended. Said stupid stuff. Took lots of ill advised shots, as if he thought he had range. But he got to play and develop and mature.
He played against the Bulls last night. Josh Smith.
What are you talking about? Tyrus never got a chance to "grow and wake up" on the Bulls. He never got a chance, period. It's a damn shame that the Bulls are going to let this kid walk without ever really having tapped into his potential. I can all but guarantee that he'll blow up on another team, as most Chicago exiles so often do. Chicago sports seriously does not know how to develop young guys. Rose isn't the exception, because he was a #1 pick, for crying out loud. How difficult is it to "develop" a top pick - Chicago gets no credit here. Damn sports media pressure machine doesn't allow them to play through their mistakes.. we just criticize and criticize until they leave town and blow up like Jamal Crawford, Ron Artest, Elton Brand, JR Smith, Cedric Benson, and on and on.
When will we get it? Remaining on the cusp of a .500 record year in and year out and maybe grazing the first or second round of the playoffs is no excuse for not developing and playing your young guys. We're just wasting our picks away.
Trade this guy or let him walk at the ed of the season... This kid will never get it... All he does is bring this team down with his head and cy baby attitude... Ive always been a ty thomas supporter... Always thought just give him a chance and he will grow and wak up and it will click eventally... But i guess it never will with him... He has all the tools and talent to be a superstar in this league... But his head will never allow him to do that... He takes it all for granted and its a shame... A real shame...