<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> With the players association set to appeal the monetary portion of Tyrus Thomas' one-game suspension without pay, Bulls GM John Paxson weighed in on the NBA's decision to fine but not suspend Pacers forward Troy Murphy.</p> </p> "I was obviously very disappointed in the league's decision to suspend Tyrus and give Murphy a slap on the wrist," Paxson said in a statement released Saturday. "It was crystal clear Murphy was the player who started the incident and escalated it to the point where Tyrus reacted. -- Chicago Tribune</p> </p> </p> [*]Unlike baseball, where players can keep playing until an appeal is heard, NBA players must serve their suspension immediately after the league announces it. </p> Ben Gordon, the Bulls' player representative, said the union should consider negotiating such an appeals process.</p> </p> "I don't see how that could hurt," Gordon said. "We haven't talked about it, but that's an issue we could bring to the players association to help guys." -- Chicago Sun-Times</p> </p> [*]Thomas confirmed his representatives had appealed through the players association the monetary portion of the suspension, which cost him $31,867. GM John Paxson said in a statement Saturday he hoped the union might develop an appeals process for the suspension, perhaps similar to Major League Baseball. -- Chicago Tribune</div> </p>
