ducks
11-09-2005, 08:21 AM
Benching not getting Thomas down
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tim Thomas was conspicuous in his absence from Monday’s loss to San Antonio. The 6-foot-10 forward was the only Bulls player in uniform who did not see action.
“I think he’s healthy,” coach Scott Skiles said following Tuesday’s practice at the Berto Center. “It’s just that we’re playing at a level right now in practice and in games I haven’t seen Tim get to yet. It’s pretty much up to Tim (whether he plays).”
Thomas, 28, arrived from the New York Knicks in the Eddy Curry trade with a long-standing reputation as an underachiever and a poor defender. When Thomas’ apparent wealth of basketball talent was brought up, Skiles had an interesting answer.
“There are lots of talents,” Skiles said. “Working really hard and being committed I think are talents, too. It’s not that Tim hasn’t. But we’ve got several other guys that are at a level that so far Tim hasn’t gotten to.”
Thomas didn’t get worked up when told of Skiles’ comments. He had a slow start in training camp because of two ankle injuries.
“That’s his opinion,” Thomas said. “I’m a mentally strong person. Things like that are not going to bother me. I’m ready to play. I feel good.”
Of course, after sending out a clear message that Thomas needs to work harder, Skiles softened his comments.
“It’s not like Tim’s banished to the bench or in the doghouse or anything like that,” Skiles added. “Tim may play a lot (tonight). I don’t know.”
Mohammed to test market: This might be the first of a season-long series of stories. San Antonio backup center Nazr Mohammed, a Chicago native, will be a free agent next summer and the Bulls obviously need more big men.
Asked about the possibility of returning home, Mohammed pointed out that first he wants to win another championship with the Spurs. San Antonio does have Tim Duncan, Rasho Nesterovic and Fabricio Obertro already under contract, so their desire to keep Mohammed remains to be seen.
“First and foremost, I want to stay here in San Antonio,” Mohammed said. “At the same time, I want to go out there and see what’s my market value and take it from there.”
The 6-foot-10 Mohammed, 28, probably is best suited to being a backup player. He has averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds for four different teams.
“It wouldn’t be hard at all (to play in Chicago),” he said. “It’s home. It would have been hard to come here and play fresh in the league, not knowing what the league’s about. This is my eighth season. I’m pretty much stable in my life and things like that. So I can handle playing anywhere.”
Duhon nursing sore knee: Bulls coach Scott Skiles ruled Chris Duhon questionable for tonight’s game against Golden State. Duhon missed Tuesday’s practice because of a bone bruise on his right knee, which happened on opening night when he collided with Charlotte guard Raymond Felton.
“I’m just trying to fight through it,” said the second-year point guard. “Some days it feels good and some days it doesn’t. I’m not going to let injury hurt our chances of winning. I’m going to go out and compete and just put it on the back burner.”
Still, Duhon stopped short of predicting he will play tonight. He ranks third in the league in assists at 9.3 per game and has a ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio of 9-1.
“Depends on how it feels when I wake up,” he said. “(Tuesday) I couldn’t move it at all.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?id=116430
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tim Thomas was conspicuous in his absence from Monday’s loss to San Antonio. The 6-foot-10 forward was the only Bulls player in uniform who did not see action.
“I think he’s healthy,” coach Scott Skiles said following Tuesday’s practice at the Berto Center. “It’s just that we’re playing at a level right now in practice and in games I haven’t seen Tim get to yet. It’s pretty much up to Tim (whether he plays).”
Thomas, 28, arrived from the New York Knicks in the Eddy Curry trade with a long-standing reputation as an underachiever and a poor defender. When Thomas’ apparent wealth of basketball talent was brought up, Skiles had an interesting answer.
“There are lots of talents,” Skiles said. “Working really hard and being committed I think are talents, too. It’s not that Tim hasn’t. But we’ve got several other guys that are at a level that so far Tim hasn’t gotten to.”
Thomas didn’t get worked up when told of Skiles’ comments. He had a slow start in training camp because of two ankle injuries.
“That’s his opinion,” Thomas said. “I’m a mentally strong person. Things like that are not going to bother me. I’m ready to play. I feel good.”
Of course, after sending out a clear message that Thomas needs to work harder, Skiles softened his comments.
“It’s not like Tim’s banished to the bench or in the doghouse or anything like that,” Skiles added. “Tim may play a lot (tonight). I don’t know.”
Mohammed to test market: This might be the first of a season-long series of stories. San Antonio backup center Nazr Mohammed, a Chicago native, will be a free agent next summer and the Bulls obviously need more big men.
Asked about the possibility of returning home, Mohammed pointed out that first he wants to win another championship with the Spurs. San Antonio does have Tim Duncan, Rasho Nesterovic and Fabricio Obertro already under contract, so their desire to keep Mohammed remains to be seen.
“First and foremost, I want to stay here in San Antonio,” Mohammed said. “At the same time, I want to go out there and see what’s my market value and take it from there.”
The 6-foot-10 Mohammed, 28, probably is best suited to being a backup player. He has averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds for four different teams.
“It wouldn’t be hard at all (to play in Chicago),” he said. “It’s home. It would have been hard to come here and play fresh in the league, not knowing what the league’s about. This is my eighth season. I’m pretty much stable in my life and things like that. So I can handle playing anywhere.”
Duhon nursing sore knee: Bulls coach Scott Skiles ruled Chris Duhon questionable for tonight’s game against Golden State. Duhon missed Tuesday’s practice because of a bone bruise on his right knee, which happened on opening night when he collided with Charlotte guard Raymond Felton.
“I’m just trying to fight through it,” said the second-year point guard. “Some days it feels good and some days it doesn’t. I’m not going to let injury hurt our chances of winning. I’m going to go out and compete and just put it on the back burner.”
Still, Duhon stopped short of predicting he will play tonight. He ranks third in the league in assists at 9.3 per game and has a ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio of 9-1.
“Depends on how it feels when I wake up,” he said. “(Tuesday) I couldn’t move it at all.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?id=116430