'Frustrating' situation for Thomas
The Bulls' locker room is usually pretty quiet an hour or so before a game when the media is allowed in.
Every once in awhile, though, Tyrus Thomas will walk over to Ben Gordon's seat and hand his teammate a set of headphones. Gordon will listen to something on Thomas' iPod, and both will laugh hysterically.
Gordon even cracked up at the mention of this spectacle.
"We've got that kind of relationship," he said. "We're always joking around. He'll find something on YouTube and call me up and tell me to look at it, and we'll be sitting there laughing all the time."
Thomas' playing time is no laughing matter, however. After starting 11 games at power forward this season, Thomas never got off the bench in the last two games against Detroit and Boston. In the two games before that, he played six and seven minutes.
The second-year forward hasn't always been comfortable chatting in front of reporters and television cameras. But following Monday's practice at the Berto Center, Thomas addressed his situation in a calm and thoughtful manner.
"Yeah, honestly, it is (frustrating)," he said. "I mean, the way we've been playing and struggling, I understand coach is just trying to mix it up, see what works and what doesn't.
"It's frustrating as a player, just having a competitive spirit. But right now I understand what's going on. We've got what, 60-something games left? I know I'm going to get back out there and be able to help the team win. It's just a process."
Last season when his playing time also fluctuated frequently, Thomas said he learned that not playing isn't as bad as not being ready when your number is called.
"It's not like he's buried or anything like that," coach Scott Skiles said. "It's just the way things have gone. I talked to him this morning. He had a good practice today. He has to keep working, stay positive and wait for his next opportunity."
Thomas' bench time has been perplexing because he has shown so many flashes of brilliance. He posted two impressive double-doubles early this season, and the Bulls went 25-5 last year in games that Thomas played at least 15 minutes.
One reason for Thomas' decreased playing time is simply that others have fared better. Andres Nocioni has claimed heavy minutes at power forward because he has played so well. Rookie Joakim Noah has made solid contributions recently, and Joe Smith has been decent since becoming the starter last week in Charlotte.
Before shuffling the starting lineup, Skiles complained about too many missed defensive assignments at the start of a loss to Dallas on Dec. 3, without mentioning names.
"I probably missed a couple, but it's just something that happens," Thomas said. "Nobody's going to go out and play perfect, not giving myself an excuse. I've just got to relax and play my game."
It's possible the Bulls' coaching staff would like to see Thomas take a more serious approach before games. Like a typical 21-year-old, he has a tendency to goof around on the court during warmups.
"Tyrus does a good job of always talking to the older guys and getting advice from us and things like that," Gordon said. "He's a little more mature now. I think he's taking that advice and he's learning what he has to do to be a professional. Tyrus knows that the harder he works, eventually it will pay off."
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Seattle SuperSonics at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: Seattle is struggling with a 5-16 record but had won three of four games before a narrow 91-88 loss at New Orleans on Sunday. The Bulls snapped an eight-game home losing streak against the Sonics by winning 99-84 last December.
Players to watch: Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are gone, replaced by rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Durant is the NBA's top rookie scorer at 20.3 points, but he's shooting just 39.3 percent from the field. Green is averaging 9.1 points per game.
Next: Wednesday vs. Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse, 6 p.m.
-- Mike McGraw