Finding his place
— -- DEERFIELD, IL. -- Is it a coincidence that the Bulls have lost two in a row and Tyrus Thomas hasn't played a significant role in either game?
It depends on who you ask.
The only thing that is clear surrounding the Bulls right now is that Thomas has struggled to get back on the roll that he started off on since returning from a broken forearm two weeks ago.
"I don't think he's been in as good of a rhythm as he was the first few [games]," Bulls head coach Vinny Del Negro said after practice. "He gave us such a big boost when he came back. He'll be fine. I thought he had an excellent practice [Thursday]. We need his activity and his shot blocking. Running the court and doing the things he's capable of. He gives us more of a shot-blocking presence in there. We'll get him back on track [Friday] night. The more consistent he is on the court, the more minutes he'll get just like everybody else. We need him to play well and he knows that."
While Del Negro seems confident that Thomas can get back on track quickly, if you read between the lines, it's clear that Thomas is a little confused by the entire playing time situation. When asked if he was frustrated by the team's recent two-game losing skid, Thomas said that he was "very" frustrated.
"For different reasons than others," Thomas added, "but we just got to get back on the same page and just keep playing hard."
When asked whether or not he was still a little rusty, Thomas said he was about "90 to 95" percent and then added that he was, "once again trying to find my niche on this team."
That has been a running theme for Thomas over the past few years.
In this particular case, it seems that Del Negro simply has more confidence in rookie Taj Gibson at the moment. The USC alum was recently re-inserted back into the starting lineup and has played very well over the past week, averaging nine points and seven rebounds over his last eight games. When a reporter floated the idea that a bounce back into the starting lineup might give Thomas a boost the same way it did for Gibson, the second-year head coach seemed to dismiss the idea. While he has said repeatedly that the starting lineup is not set in stone, it doesn't appear that Thomas will be there anytime soon.
"I just feel that Taj has earned every minute and with Taj and [Kirk] in the lineup we seem to have had a little bit better starts at times," Del Negro said. "Guys are going to get their minutes if they're productive and if they execute the game plan and know what we're doing. I'm happy with the starters right now and there's no reason to change anything until I feel differently."
Thomas is just hoping he can change his coaches' mind some time soon. In the meantime, he is just trying to earn Del Negro's trust.
"I think I have a pretty positive effect on [the other players]," Thomas said. "I haven't really put my finger on what it is but I feel like as long as I'm on the floor we have a pretty good chance at winning."
That was true for four games recently.
You'd have to think Del Negro would try out that theory again if his team can't turn things around soon.