Tyrus Thomas - Let's avoid this loser at all costs

God, some people are just amazing......



Free Money
Feb 6 - Asked if he were excited about becoming the first Bull since Scottie Pippen in 1990 to participate in the event as part of All-Star weekend, Tyrus Thomas barely looked up from untying his shoes.

"Not really," Thomas said. "I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day."

"I'm just into the free money," he said. "That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."

Thomas makes $3.26 million. The winner gets $35,000. The runner-up receives $22,500. Third and fourth place are worth $16,125. -- Chicago Tribune

 

Yeah, I was surprised by these comments too. He seemed like a loser before the draft when he exploded on a reporter for a draft profile website for his position in their latest mock draft. He seems like he has a bad attitude and I lost a lot of respect for him after making these stupid comments.

 

Bulls fine Thomas $10K for dunk contest comments

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls fined forward Tyrus Thomas $10,000 on Tuesday, one day after the rookie said he only was interested in the prize money at the NBA's slam dunk contest.

He later apologized "for any negative feelings that may have been caused by my comments."

The first Bulls player since Scottie Pippen in 1990 to participate in the event, Thomas was quoted in Tuesday's editions of the Chicago Tribune as saying: "I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day."

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."

Thomas apologized in a statement issued through his agents Tuesday night.

"I truly feel honored to be invited to participate in this year's slam dunk contest during next week's NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas," Thomas said. "The opportunity to represent the Bulls and the city of Chicago on a global stage is a privilege that I do not take lightly. I regret the extent to which my comments indicate otherwise."

Thomas has appeared in 41 games, averaging 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds.</div>

 

Wow, did the Bulls know about this type of mentality before the draft?

That kind of character is poison for the locker room.

 

It certainly looks bad for Thomas and I agree that he should've just kept his mouth shut instead of saying those things. It should be a privilege for him to go to the all-star game and participate. I know he's in the slam dunk contest. Is he in the rooks game, too?

This sounds like another case of the ungrateful and greedy athlete who has been mollycoddled all his life.

 

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, did the Bulls know about this type of mentality before the draft?</div>

I guess Coach Scott Skiles couldn't figure it out while he was STARING at Tyrus .

 

He's just "keeping it real." Of course as Chappelle says, at times it when "Keeping it Real Goes Wrong."

That was just wrong. He seemed unselfish when LSU made its run last year but this will haunt him far longer than Zach Randolph's sexual escapades.

I too want to avoid him like the plague.

 

It doesn't matter who the player is, a rookie or a super star. Anyone who says that and acts like a retard I don't want near the Warriors.

Stephen Jackson needs to roughen Tyrus up.

 

I agree that he has responsibilities to the Bulls and the NBA because he works for them, and should've acted "professionally" in this case, however I'm a big proponent of honesty and free speech so I found it refreshing to not hear more BS from the players.

Let's face it the AllStar game is for the fans and holds no real importance to the players, and the money is used as incentive for players to participate.

It's interesting because a lot of people complain and joke about how player interviews are BS and done for publicity and public relations. I think we all know that yet at the same time the overall image of said entity (NBA in this case) is viewed in a favorable manner despite what we know is mostly BS.

For example it is like saying "thank you". The meaning of "thank you" has depreciated over the years to the point where it's a mere formality and the usage of the phrase is no longer genuine because of overuse. I think we all know that, yet at the same time, that "thank you" is expected and desired even if it's BS. Like say you're a cashier ringing up a customer's items and once you're through with the exchange, he leaves without saying "thank you". Afterwards there's this feeling that the customer is using you as a "means" to purchase his items and could care less about you. This is true whether or not the customer says "thank you" but we're more apt to feel this way when they don't pay lip service.

Although I believe in honesty and free speech, it's just too idealistic to work.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
Stephen Jackson needs to roughen Tyrus up.</div>

hehe

 

<div class="quote_poster">Gohn Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that he has responsibilities to the Bulls and the NBA because he works for them, and should've acted "professionally" in this case, however I'm a big proponent of honesty and free speech so I found it refreshing to not hear more BS from the players.

Let's face it the AllStar game is for the fans and holds no real importance to the players, and the money is used as incentive for players to participate.

It's interesting because a lot of people complain and joke about how player interviews are BS and done for publicity and public relations. I think we all know that yet at the same time the overall image of said entity (NBA in this case) is viewed in a favorable manner despite what we know is mostly BS.

For example it is like saying "thank you". The meaning of "thank you" has depreciated over the years to the point where it's a mere formality and the usage of the phrase is no longer genuine because of overuse. I think we all know that, yet at the same time, that "thank you" is expected and desired even if it's BS. Like say you're a cashier ringing up a customer's items and once you're through with the exchange, he leaves without saying "thank you". Afterwards there's this feeling that the customer is using you as a "means" to purchase his items and could care less about you. This is true whether or not the customer says "thank you" but we're more apt to feel this way when they don't pay lip service.

Although I believe in honesty and free speech, it's just too idealistic to work.</div>

True, but... well one thing is for sure, I bet fans won't or coaches won't vote this guy into any future all-star events unless he plays out of his mind.

The league doesn't need that spoiled, young teenaged or early 20 year old attitude suddenly making all this money and not being responsible citizens/or role models. It just sets a bad example and really turns off new and old fans alike. They want to see good people play this game like it's a privilege, because it is. Otherwise screw those guys, you want money, do something else where we don't get to watch you, root for you, or have businesses and fans pay your salaries.

Maybe owners and nba office guys like David Stern are trying to correct this type of fan's anger against attitudes like these. That's why they fine them or the team fines them. I'm not saying control the league into being something else than rather what it is, but the game needs to have more guys with heart and less care about the money. Otherwise, f-that, get some young college underrated player who is going to work hard and actually stayed all four years or at least three to get an education and improvement in learning fundamental team basketball.

Look at Emeka Okafor, Steve Nash, and Tayshaun Prince and Tim Duncan. Those guys did it right and they're smart, well rounded players too. They are well coached and they play team ball. They are winners. If more nba guys were like Tyrus Thomas or whoever, fans of basketball would rather just watch college ball. Because who cares if they are all about the money and the only thing they have is being a phenomenal athlete. That sort of thing would be a truth that most fans couldn't handle as there's no meaning beyond just trying to earn big contracts. No team pride, no pride as professional. And what's worse is that they're ungrateful punks and are totally oblivious about being actually lucky enough to get a shot at the big time.

If we didn't have this game, they'd be doing something else that might not be so grand. So that type of attitude should be more appreciative. Those type of people are being truthful and all, but they're also showing what idiots they are for being so ungrateful.

 

You can have all the honesty and free speech you want. Fine. But don't go crying later about why you don't reap the rewards that others are receiving because you exercised you right to "free speech."

We all know its about the $$, fine, but play along and we'll get along just fine. Fans don't want to hear it, reality or not, and if you don't give them what they want, they're not going to give you what you want. Its business, treat it like business.

 

Even if that's how a player really feels, they should know better than to verbalize it. How can you be that unaware of the importance of your public comments in today's world? Unbelievable.

 

CR2:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The league doesn't need that spoiled, young teenaged or early 20 year old attitude suddenly making all this money and not being responsible citizens/or role models. It just sets a bad example and really turns off new and old fans alike. They want to see good people play this game like it's a privilege, because it is. Otherwise screw those guys, you want money, do something else where we don't get to watch you, root for you, or have businesses and fans pay your salaries.</div>
I agree that the league doesn't need people with this type of attitude, but the reality is that not all players are like Nash, Duncan, Okafor who all appear to be genuinely good people. In a perfect world that would be the case.

And I agree that it sets a bad example and shows the NBA in a negative light to the fans. That's just the reality of business. The fans (customers) are a means for the NBA to achieve its end which is money. And conversely the fans view the the players are a means to an end which is entertainment and a lot of other stuff.

For example if the NBA stopped charging admission to games and allowed people to watch all the games on television and radio for free and only asked for donations would you donate? I'm not sure I would honestly.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If we didn't have this game, they'd be doing something else that might not be so grand. So that type of attitude should be more appreciative. Those type of people are being truthful and all, but they're also showing what idiots they are for being so ungrateful.</div>
Again I agree. I never said that I thought Tyrus was a good guy.

Philsmith:
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You can have all the honesty and free speech you want. Fine. But don't go crying later about why you don't reap the rewards that others are receiving because you exercised you right to "free speech."

We all know its about the $$, fine, but play along and we'll get along just fine. Fans don't want to hear it, reality or not, and if you don't give them what they want, they're not going to give you what you want. Its business, treat it like business.</div>
I agree. I think that's the paradox. The fans don't want to hear the truth, yet at the same time they want to hear truth, but that truth that they want to hear is that all the players are reality good people.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Gohn Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">CR2:


I agree that the league doesn't need people with this type of attitude, but the reality is that not all players are like Nash, Duncan, Okafor who all appear to be genuinely good people. In a perfect world that would be the case.

And I agree that it sets a bad example and shows the NBA in a negative light to the fans. That's just the reality of business. The fans (customers) are a means for the NBA to achieve its end which is money. And conversely the fans view the the players are a means to an end which is entertainment and a lot of other stuff.

For example if the NBA stopped charging admission to games and allowed people to watch all the games on television and radio for free and only asked for donations would you donate? I'm not sure I would honestly.


Again I agree. I never said that I thought Tyrus was a good guy.

Philsmith:

I agree. I think that's the paradox. The fans don't want to hear the truth, yet at the same time they want to hear truth, but that truth that they want to hear is that all the players are reality good people.</div>

I'll tell you one thing, Gohn, I'd pay to not see guys like Tyrus Thomas play with the good guys in this league. Real pros. I don't even care if Clif Robinson smoked weed or gave some chick herpes, the guy is a winner on the court. Maybe Thomas should have been drafted 2nd round to make him a little more appreciative of how you actually have to work to stay in this league and get noticed. That's all I'm saying. If he sees fans as a means to make money, I would do everything in my power to see that he doesn't get mine.

Then again, my only interest in basketball is the warriors and I haven't been to many games because I won't pay Cohan. I don't even pay attention to Warriors advertisments. That's how genuinely much I want Cohan to sell this team to another bay area guy who knows bball and sports business.

 

C'mon guys....one spoiled,ungrateful mercenary of dozens is too dumb or honest to spin the PR and y'all talk like it's a shocker. The dunk contest? It ought to be a benefit for charities...maybe to pay child support when NBA players skip out on their offspring?

maybe half price beer for us poor folk who drive a car that costs about the same as a good seat at an NBA game.....in my case..the cheap seats. Seeing eye dogs for the refs? There's lots that could be done.

 

The thing that struck me was not so much about the all-star festivities...it was much more about ever being able to count on someone like that really caring about winning and maximum effort. From the extremely cavalier attitude he projected, he really came off like the only thing that matters to him is the paycheck. And yeah, I know there are alot of guys in the league like that, but he pretty much put it on a billboard LOL

 

Yeah, DT, I think I want to be lied too by players like those. Tell me the game means more than just making athletic, young guys who skipped 3 or more years of college ball because they had one good year, rich.

And REREM has it right, but I don't think we're shocked type of shock. It's more like wow you were dumb enough to say that? Before we knew it, but it was never really said so openly that players like those only care about the money. That's so unprofessional, it just stirs up emotion.

The nba and team USA isn't what it used to be for a reason and I think guys like Thomas could be part of that reason. Too young and immature to think about the big picture, which is about teamwork, learning well coached fundamentals and developing better as a teammate/nba professional. Instead he could be one of these guys just relying on athleticism, not growing a whole lot, and putting up stats to get money. I'm not saying he is right now, but he very well could be if his attitude is right there. It's a red flag to most.

 

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, DT, I think I want to be lied too by players like those. Tell me the game means more than just making athletic, young guys who skipped 3 or more years of college ball because they had one good year, rich.
</div>

I'm just saying that if you believe a guy like that really cares about winning, then I have a couple surplus bridges and some beautiful swampland to sell ya