Del Negro sends message ... and Noah gets it

There has been nothing subtle about recent messages sent from Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro to young big men Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas.

Noah went from starting at center to not playing at all Saturday against Washington. Thomas, one week removed from a 14-point, 13-rebound game against Philadelphia, sat out Tuesday's 105-100 win over the Knicks by coach's decision.

Following Wednesday's practice at the Berto Center, Del Negro listed the specific qualities he's looking for, not only in Noah and Thomas, but all his players.

"We're trying to play a lot of guys," Del Negro said. "The guys that are going to focus in, know their roles, commit to it, come with effort every day (will play). I can handle mistakes, but I can't handle lack of effort and I can't handle lack of commitment to the team. Those guys know that and they're working better. That's always a work in progress with a young team."

When pressed on what he meant by commitment to the team, Del Negro was just as honest. He maintained it has nothing to do with any sort of team infraction or altercation.

"My commitment to the team is coming in with energy every day, coming in with a focus, trying to get better, lifting weights, being on time, paying attention in meetings, being ready to play at night, knowing what your role is, who you're guarding, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how you can affect the team in a positive way - all those things," he said.

"The commitment to the team is being a professional, working every day to get better individually, and as that happens, the team gets better."

That's quite a mouthful, but apparently Noah mastered those rules, because he was back on the floor against New York and played well defensively. In 19 minutes, he collected 5 rebounds, 4 blocked shots and a steal.

"He's put in some extra work, some running, some conditioning, studying the plays more," Del Negro said of Noah. "I thought his concentration at shootaround and at today's practice was much better. He's got to continually do that."

Thomas declined an interview request Wednesday, but Noah shared his feelings. Most of all, he doesn't want anyone pointing to a lack of progress or conditioning and assume he's not committed to his profession.

"I think it's unfair to make it seem like I'm not taking my job seriously," Noah said. "I might be tired out there, but it has nothing to do with me not working on it."

At the same time, Noah understands his image as a fun-loving guy. When first drafted by the Bulls, Noah claimed no one had a better college experience than he did. A year later, he got in trouble during a visit to his college town of Gainesville, Fla., for having an open container of alcohol on a public sidewalk and possessing a small amount of marijuana. He was fined for the violations.

"I did get in trouble this summer and I made a mistake, but that doesn't mean I don't take my job seriously," Noah said. "I can understand how some people see that, but I take my job seriously and I really want to win."

But while he's always been serious, Noah did admit that he rededicated himself in recent weeks. Since the circus road trip ended, he's been running under the direction of strength coach Erik Helland before games and also going over plays with one of the assistant coaches.

"I feel at times this season I've been frustrated and I feel at times it did affect the way I play and I can't do that," Noah added. "When my name is called, whether it's starting or not starting, five minutes or 25 minutes, just go out there and play as hard as I can. At the end of the day, that's he only person's trust I need is my coach."