Bulls fine Thomas $10K for dunk contest comments

[The Truth]

This is sort of disappointing...

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls fined forward Tyrus Thomas $10,000 on Tuesday, one day after the rookie said he only was interested in the money for the NBA's slam dunk contest.

When asked if being around some of the game's greats could be beneficial for a rookie, he responded, "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."

The winner of the Feb. 17 event in Las Vegas gets $35,000. The runner-up earns $22,500, with the third and fourth-place finishers getting $16,125. Joining Thomas are defending champion Nate Robinson of New York, Orlando All-Star Dwight Howard and Boston's Gerald Green.

"This fine is an appropriate response to the remarks Tyrus made concerning his participation in the slam dunk contest," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said in a statement.
"It is a poor reflection on Tyrus individually and a poor reflection on the Bulls organization, and I am certainly disappointed. The league office has chosen Tyrus to participate in one of its All-Star events and that is an honor that should be accepted with humility. I spoke to Tyrus this morning and am confident he understands that he made a mistake with his words and that he also understands the importance of representing the Bulls and the NBA in a positive way."

ESPN.com - NBA - Bulls fine Thomas $10K for comments on dunk contest

[JoseA]

What an idiot- why would you even say such a thing?

Just makes him sound selfish and not a team player

Trade him- I dont want him on our team anymore!

[645]

SACRAMENTO -- No, Tyrus Thomas didn't hit me, though the way he has been shooting this season I probably would have been safe.

But Bulls players and coaches were watching intently when reporters walked over to talk to Thomas after practice Wednesday.

They probably were equally curious and hopeful that maybe, just maybe, this little media shock Thomas instigated this week would jolt him enough that the team could cram years of maturation and understanding into a short period so it can get the player they saw on draft day a little quicker.

Tribune