While Bulls' scoring is up, Thomas still trying to fit in
Inferior competition is one explanation for the Bulls' recent offensive surge.
The Bulls rang up a season-high 120 points Monday while handing Detroit its 13th consecutive loss. On Saturday, they scored 110 against Minnesota, which owns the worst record in the Western Conference.
Then again, they scored 108 last week against Charlotte, which doesn't have a great record but leads the NBA in points allowed at 92.9 per game.
Offense hasn't come easy for the Bulls most of this season. They scored 100 points just four times in their first 28 games and still rank 27th in the league in scoring average at 93.6.
Another sign of improvement is long-range shooting. The Bulls have connected on 45.9 percent of their 3-point attempts in the last four games. That's far more accurate than the 31.7 percent the Bulls shot from 3-point range in the first 32 games of the season.
"We're sharing the ball," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "I feel like when you do that, your shooting percentages go up, you score a lot more points. I think it's pretty much that simple."
Now, where exactly Tyrus Thomas fits into the Bulls' offensive scheme remains to be seen.
In the third quarter of the Minnesota game, Thomas was pulled off the court after less than two minutes when he took a quick jumper on the fastbreak.
Against the Pistons on Monday, Thomas produced 7 points, 6 steals, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in 26 minutes of action but did not attempt any jump shots.
Following Tuesday's practice at the Berto Center, coach Vinny Del Negro described Thomas' role in the offense.
"Being athletic, running the court, hitting open 15-footers, not floating on the perimeter when he's at the four spot," Del Negro said. "He was under control (against Detroit), had 6 steals, was active. Loved his activity, and I thought he had a very good practice today."
As far as Thomas being pulled off the court quickly, then shooting no jumpers two days later, Del Negro addressed that in general terms.
"Nothing's going on," he said. "When guys execute the game plan, play hard, do what they're supposed to do out on the court and deserve to be out there, they're out there.
"When guys aren't executing plays or executing the game plan - and not just Tyrus, that's anybody - I have to go to other players."
Following practice, Thomas worked on 3-point shooting for about 15 minutes. On his way off the court, he suggested he won't shoot any jumpers if it means staying on the court longer.
The Bulls might need another scoring option when the schedule gets tougher. A trip to Boston on Thursday, then the seven-game "ice show" road trip is looming.
For now, though, the Bulls are averaging 115 points in their last two games, more than 20 above their season average.
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