Thomas to return tonight
Tyrus Thomas made an admission to both media and Bulls management Thursday. Following his return to practice after two weeks off with a bruised hip, Thomas interrupted a group interview to address general manager Gar Forman, who was passing through a hallway at the Berto Center.
"Hey, Gar, I wasn't in as good a condition as I thought I was," Thomas said with a smile.
The Bulls inched closer to having everyone healthy before the preseason ends. Thomas and Brad Miller (flu) are expected to play tonight when the Bulls host Minnesota. Derrick Rose (ankle) is doubtful.
Thomas was injured while taking a charge from Indiana's Danny Granger on Oct. 2 and has been out since.
Asked what he's hoping to see from the fourth-year forward, coach Vinny Del Negro said, "Be our shot blocker back there, run the court and make open 15-footers. He knows what he needs to do, he's just got to go out and do that on a consistent basis."
Rookie Taj Gibson started four games at power forward during Thomas' absence and played well, averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. Gibson praised Thomas this week for helping him learn the ropes in the NBA.
"Being short-handed, I hate to see my guys - (when) they're dead tired and they're struggling," Thomas said. "Not being able to help, it bothered me a lot."
As far as Thomas' expectations for himself, he still believes his hard work during the summer will pay off.
"If you're not expecting big things for yourself, I don't see the point in playing," Thomas said. "I have to figure out my role on this team first, as far as the offensive end, figuring out where I'm going to get my shots."
Flu bug spreads: The Cleveland Cavaliers are experiencing a run of the flu. LeBron James, Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl all tested positive for Influenza A, but James told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer on Thursday he thinks he's over it.
Bulls center Brad Miller missed two games this week with an illness but said it was stomach flu, not any version of swine flu. Miller is expected to play tonight against Minnesota.
Derrick Rose worked up a sweat during Thursday's practice but will probably take a few more days to rest his sore right ankle. The Bulls will have two preseason games remaining after facing the Timberwolves.
Bulls horns: Center Aaron Gray was no longer wearing the foot-to-knee walking boot at practice. Gray is recovering from a stress fracture in his left fibula. - Tickets are still available for the Bulls tipoff luncheon Oct. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.