Tyrus sits, stays positive
The prayer tattooed on Tyrus Thomas' right biceps is most appropriate, given his situation:
''God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.''
Thomas, who started 11 of the first 15 games at power forward, has not played in the last two for the 6-12 Bulls. The 2006 first-round pick, who watched former LSU teammate Glen Davis play meaningful minutes Saturday for the Boston Celtics, has handled this latest setback by being positive.
''I'm just trying to help my team any way I can, cheering them on, just be ready to be put in the game,'' said Thomas, who totaled only 13½ minutes in the two games before being benched. ''The way we've been playing and struggling, I understand Coach is just trying to mix it up, see what works and what doesn't.
''It's frustrating as a player, just having a competitive spirit, but I understand what's going on. We've got what, 60-something games left? I know I'm going to get back out there and be able to help the team win. It's just a process.''
Thomas, who has drawn coach Scott Skiles' ire in the past, said he believes Skiles is trying to get him to be at his best.
''If I become a better player and we win more games, I'm successful, he's successful, the team's successful,'' said Thomas, who's averaging 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. ''It's nothing personal.''
Skiles pointed to rookie Joakim Noah's defense and aggressiveness toward the basket as reasons why he has bypassed Thomas in the rotation.
''[Thomas] has to stay ready,'' Skiles said. ''It's not like he's buried or anything like that. He has to keep working, stay positive and wait for his next opportunity.''
Guard Ben Gordon said he likes what he sees in Thomas this season.
''Tyrus does a good job of always talking to the older guys and getting advice from us and things like that,'' Gordon said. ''He's a little more mature now. He's taking that advice, and he's learning what he has to do to be a professional.
''You've got to come in, put work in every day. Tyrus knows that the harder he works, eventually it will pay off.''
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