Bulls forward Thompson doesn't mind celebrity spotlight
Forward Tristan Thompson, who made his Bulls debut Thursday against Atlanta, acknowledged not all his fame and notoriety comes from playing basketball.
Thompson has ties to the first family of reality TV and social media. He has a daughter with Khloe Kardashian, though the couple announced a split last year.
When he met reporters Wednesday at the Advocate Center, Thompson was asked if he sought out the extra attention that goes along with being a celebrity couple.
"Did I plan that? No, I think God planned that," he said. "I'm just myself. I'm a kid from Toronto, made it to the NBA, won an NBA championship. Living the dream each and every day, have beautiful children, very blessed life and a happy family. So I'm just enjoying it."
Thompson, who spent his first nine NBA seasons in Cleveland, has two other children from different relationships.
"I just be myself, be true to myself," he added. "Everyone's going to have their opinion of you or judge you but until you break bread with me, get to know me, then you know who really I am. I think you guys will get to know the real Tristan. And I don't like talking in third person."
Thompson then said - perhaps jokingly - that he'd be glad to take a group of reporters out for pizza, but he's not into deep dish.
Adios to Indiana:
Tristan Thompson began the season with Sacramento, then went to Indiana in the trade that sent Domantas Sabonis to the Kings, and Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to the Pacers.
Before a buyout agreement with Indiana was official, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took the unusual step of announcing his next destination in a postgame news conference. "It starts with a C and ends in an O," Carlisle said.
"Rick's been in this game for a long time," Thompson said. "He's like the OG in the game, can do whatever. His resume speaks for himself. It was pretty cool how he did it. We've never seen it before, but it is what it is. I've been a big fan of coach Carlisle for years and what he's done, so it's cool."
Before the game, Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirmed Thompson's primary role will be to back up Nikola Vucevic. Donovan didn't rule out playing Vucevic and Thompson together, but it's rare for NBA teams to play two bigs these days.
No change on injuries:
There's still no word on when any of the injured Bulls might return. At Thursday's practice, Alex Caruso was on the floor, but using only his left hand, protecting a broken right wrist. Coach Billy Donovan said he expects Caruso to resume basketball activities in a few days.
Lonzo Ball did some light jogging on the side and is progressing well from arthroscopic knee surgery. Patrick Williams is shooting around, but is still building up strength in his surgically-repaired left wrist.
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