Thomas' return a great chance for both sides to make things right

Tyrus Thomas returned to practice Sunday and is hoping be back in uniform by the end of the week.

The trial separation was a complete bust for the Bulls, who have gone 7-13 since Thomas broke his left arm in a weight-room accident Nov. 6.

The talk about losing confidence against a difficult, road-heavy schedule is valid. At the same time, the Bulls just didn't have the personnel to compete on the inside without Thomas. They missed his athleticism on both ends of the floor.

On the other side, Thomas got a chance to experience what it feels like to sit out for six weeks, unable to play or help turn things around for his team. Most players gain a new appreciation for their jobs when faced with this scenario.

With all that in mind, this is a great chance for both parties to get this relationship right.

The Bulls need to recognize that, more often than not, they're a better team when Thomas is on the floor and let him play through some mistakes.

For his part, Thomas needs to take coaching in stride and not blame others when things don't go his way. When he's on the court, use his spectacular athleticism to attack the glass and make things happen, rather than waiting for the ball to be passed his way.

"(Being injured) kind of gives you a coach's perspective," Thomas said Sunday at the Berto Center. "I find myself on the sideline talking to guys when they come out of the game more than I have in my career, just because I've been able to see more not being on the floor, watching the entire game, watching what different things teams are doing."

It's interesting to think back to Thomas' tumultuous week in early November: He didn't play during the fourth quarter of a game at Miami and lashed out a day later. Veteran Lindsey Hunter lectured Thomas in front of his teammates after a practice, then Thomas got sick, missed two days and flew on his own to play in an impressive win at Cleveland on Nov. 5. The very next day, he broke his arm.

What's worth mentioning is Thomas should have played in the fourth quarter at Miami. The Bulls were outscored 26-17 and ended up losing a very winnable game.

With Thomas and Joakim Noah on the floor, the Bulls would have been much more of a threat on the offensive glass.

So maybe this injury will help make a point that could have been made in Miami on Nov. 1.

"Some people might differ, but I think my presence on the floor impacts the game a lot," Thomas said Sunday.

I think it's smart that coach Vinny Del Negro has encouraged Thomas to shoot his jumper, which could develop into one the Bulls' more valuable weapons. He has good form, great hands and can jump over people to get his shot off, which is vital in late-game situations.

Here's one more reminder that the one time the Bulls won at Boston in the playoffs last spring, Thomas knocked down the go-ahead jumper.

Of course, Thomas can't rely on a steady diet of outside shots. He may never be a low-post scoring option, but he should be the league's best alley-oop threat north of Dwight Howard.

As long as teams have to worry about Thomas flying at the rim, it's conceivable he could help open the floor for Derrick Rose and the outside shooters.

Many of the Bulls need to get up to speed at throwing lob passes, though. Veteran center Brad Miller is easily the best on the team at doing it.

So there is work to be done. But Thomas and the Bulls should have learned plenty from this six-week absence.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bulls game day</p> <p class="News">Sacramento Kings at the United Center, 7 p.m.</p> <p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p> <p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WMVP 1000-AM</p> <p class="News"><b>Update:</b> The Kings were just 1-11 on the road until winning 96-95 Saturday at Milwaukee when rookie guard Tyreke Evans finished a driving lay-in with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Evans is making a serious run at rookie of the year, averaging 20 points and 5.1 assists. Former Bull Andres Nocioni is starting and averaging 11.2 points. The Bulls pulled off a fairly routine 101-87 win at Sacramento on Nov. 17, but the Kings have been a surprise. They own a 12-14 record after winning just 17 games all last season.</p> <p class="News"><b>Next:</b> New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday</p> <p class="News">- Mike McGraw</p>