So maybe Thomas is sick, local media
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 8:47 AM CST
48 comments
Now that Tyrus Thomas missed Wednesday's practice and didn't fly to Cleveland with the team, those covering the team* have toned down linking Tyrus's flu symptoms with any issues Tyrus has had recently with VDN or pseudo-coach Lindsey Hunter (a whole separate issue, that). Everything published Thursday morning mentions Thomas's illness as just an illness.
But just days before, it was instead 'the flu', as Sun-Times beat writer John Jackson called it. Similarly skeptical was WSCR reporter David 'the rotisserie chicken' Schuster. Trib columnist Steve Rosenbloom openly doubted the story as well. Even the earliest reports of the illness made sure to tie in Tyrus' issues with his minutes and lack of a contract extension.
So believing the worst in the Bulls (sporadic and puzzling discipline in the past, plus they're liars) as well as Thomas (known to pout and skip a practice before), coupled with the media not only failing to distance the circumstances but openly putting them together, I don't blame fans (least of all myself, being infallible and all) for thinking this sick story was a smokescreen for something else. I also think the Bulls could've been more proactive and emphatic to let everyone know this was nothing disciplinary.
But since another day has passed and the story is now only about progress in the illness, I guess it's possible that it was just an illness. The seed of doubt has already been planted though, and this is yet another chapter in the tumultuous career of Tyrus Thomas, and by this point they're looking like the final few chapters. It'll be interesting to see how he and VDN handle his return, though it looks like nothing good really lasts.
*The only one who straightforwardly handled Tyrus getting sick and his 4th quarter minutes without openly tying the two together was the Bulls best beat writer, Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald. I get that beat writers have more complex jobs nowadays when they're expected to also give opinions through their blogs and columns. But that said, I should've learned this already but it's just been re-affirmed: I'm trusting in McGraw first and foremost from now on.
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Doesn't tyrus tweet?
I’m not hip to the Twitter game. But I wonder if he’s said anything.
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
by Yibs on Nov 5, 2009 9:19 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
ease up, smash
i was just jokin around, not to mention i’m sure you wouldn’t have had the same problem with that statement if he was traded this morning
by Daniel Satan on Nov 5, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why wouldn't that statement be offensive if he was traded?
What are you even talking about? It’s just a dumb statement followed by another post that makes no sense.
by smash! on Nov 7, 2009 12:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I looked
He closed his T_TIME24 account. There are some fake Tyrus accounts, but that is it.
I’m guessing his agent may have urged him to close the account until Tyrus secures a new contract.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 5, 2009 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hold on a second
people have fake tyrus thomas twitter accounts? jesus, i thought i had no life
http://ExtendtheGame.blogspot.com
by Calogero on Nov 5, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Court of public opinion and Media thoughts
I dont blame the media for handling it like they did ( I still believe he was sent home). Wouldn’t Bulls fans be way more mad at Chicago Media if they ignore trying to read into things… and always just take whatever the Bulls PR guys say as truth. For example
" Boylan wanted to suspend Noah for one game then changed his mind to two games after thinking about it a while" – or by digging deeper and taking a chance and finding out that AGriff and (Ben Wallace?) decided that it was gonna be two games and Boylan had no power in locker room. Reporters should bat around .700 on hunches…. except Sam who is around .200 but entertaining in doing so.
Tyrus also has lost his choice for a fair trial in the court of public opinion. Two different coaches both with very different basketball sensibilities have grown sick of Tyrus on court and off court attitude? Both Skiles and Vinny hate the guy… and I sorta think thats the only thing they have in common as coaches. Plus as mentioned in the post … Tyrus has skipped practices in the past because of playing time … therefore the media is allowed to suspect he skipped the practices or was sent home. How can Tyrus change so that the media cant doubt the worst of him in the future….. stay quiet in the press and run the court as fast as you can everytime for a whole road trip!
by Jscho316 on Nov 5, 2009 9:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jscho You're wrong
The media’s job is to state the facts, not to assume or speculate. We can do that our selves, dig! I don’t care what a person’s past was, that doesn’t give anyone the right to spread there assumption to the masses cause they “think” something isn’t what it appears, if they think otherwise, do your job and prove it with facts, don’t come gossiping like old ladies at a bingo convention.
by Mr Rhythm on Nov 5, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
media expectations
There is no right answer to what a person wants from their local sports media.. some may want just a copy and paste of a Bulls PR statement – and I’ll take that if its as funny as the Deng injury update- or some want what the internet is providing 100 Trade rumors a week.
I think a good beat reporter needs to speculate a little along with mostly reporting facts( my opinion).
I think Bulls fans are allowed to bring up a players past when looking critically at a situation in the present. Tyrus is documented for skipping a practice ( *at least one… no evidence of multiple misses-my fault above) and I havent seen any change in his behavior that warrents me to change my opinion of him. If next week a story comes out that Derrick has passed his CPA exam…. I’m gonna look at his past before believing that to be true.
by Jscho316 on Nov 5, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree they need to speculate as well (especially nowadays)
but they can report the illness as a singular event. Then speculate but try to actually follow up. KC tweeted me that everyone he talked to said Tyrus was indeed sick. Why not say that in the story? I don’t think they can ignore that there is speculation once it’s already out there. And similarly, the Bulls shouldn’t ignore it either, but maybe they want it to be out there…
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Truth comes down the pipeline...
but maybe they want it to be out there…
Word.
by mynameistyler on Nov 5, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Skipped practices?
I only know of one practice he skipped.
Was there more than the “I’ll see you guys later” incident?
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 5, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that was it
but that’s enough, no?
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My issue was that they didn't dig deeper
They just threw out there that he got sent home, and then added the story about 4th quarter minutes and Lindsey bleepin’ Hunter calling him out in front of the media.
McGraw did it right (though I’m no expert): He said Tyrus was sent home, mentioned the timing with the other things, then asked Vinny about it.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Skiles never hated Thomas. You're making that up. (or regurgitating memes)
Thomas has said that he liked Skiles and appreciated the constant pressure he kept on him.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett
by tyger1147 on Nov 5, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe he's saying that now
he didn’t like it at the time. When being brought off the bench in the preseason, didn’t he say it reminded him of what Skiles did? I still resent Skiles for abandoning Tyrus in the playoffs his rookie year when he held down the fort with Noc hurt.
Maybe the difference is that Tyrus didn’t like Skiles either but at least everyone knows and respects that Skiles is a legitimate NBA coach.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe the "liked" part was wrong, but yeah, later, he said he appreciated
Skiles being on him.
Probably like you said, he knew that what he was being told was probably the right thing, even if the delivery was wrong.
Now it’s the delivery and the message that he thinks is wrong.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett
by tyger1147 on Nov 5, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the problem with local media here...
The media her ,by default, gives the benefit of the doubt to certain coaches here. Am I the only one that notices that? It seems to be up to the player to prove he’s a hard worker and isn’t a trouble maker. The second there is a rumbling that there’s a problem, all of a sudden it’s the player’s fault.
Scott Skiles: You can’t be talking about the same guy who basically told Tyson Chandler on his way out the door that he wasn’t a good NBA player can you? The guy that scared Lamarcus Aldrige in an interview and didn’t want him drafted. You can’t be talking about the same coach that couldn’t coach JR Smith. The same coach that argued with Ben Wallace over a headband?
Vinnie Del Negro: Who the hell is Vinnie Del Negro?
Now that BG is gone, we move on to the new scapegoat, Tyrus Thomas: Some of us here before the season started said that this was going to happen. The guy can’t even catch a cold before the media assumes he’s the issue. Mr. 71mil misses a almost a whole season because of a questionable injury and he hasn’t caught this much grief. Hinrich has the worst season of his career after getting PAID and the excuse is that he’s just pressing. VDN knew before the season started how he was going to deal with TT. I mean seriously, what coach let’s a player start and play well in the first game of the season, only to bench him in the 4th of that game? Who does that? So now that the player just happens to mention “Hey what’s up with my minutes?” He’s the problem? The media jumps down his throat? There are too many other players not doing there job for this guy to be catching the hell he’s getting.
by Dils on Nov 5, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
One thing I noticed about the Chicago sports media while I was there
The guys are too quick to turn on a player when he’s in a slump. One day he’s the greatest thing since the Afro pick and women’s Apple Bottom Jeans, the next minute he’s a bum and he should be traded. You even see it with the fans, look at how quick everyone is ready to flip on D.Rose, last year I couldn’t even critique the man, or Noah who went from being a below average player, to becoming the Bulls fans most beloved player. It’s these type of excessive praises or criticising that is also problematic. I damn near invented the saying “you’re never as good as your best game, you’re never as bad as yuor worst”! Maybe this occurs in all big cities, but nevertheless I try to stay away from overly praising anyone unless it’s myself.
by Mr Rhythm on Nov 5, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
mr edison
ladies and gentlemen!
the name of the team is The DIAMONDBACKS
by marionette on Nov 5, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Aren't you the same
guy who is positive that there is nothing wrong with Derrick’s ankle?
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
by sue369 on Nov 5, 2009 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you actually believe Tyrus was sent home and not sick
shouldn’t you blame the media for its utter inability to get the story right and uncover the conspiracy?
I don’t mind a little bit of speculation on unprovable or opinion-based issue. I don’t mind interpretation.
I do mind, however, misreporting of easily verifiable facts. And that’s what we have here. Media outlets have plenty of sources, and everything indicates the facts are that Tyrus is sick.
And yet, that wasn’t reported as fact. The flu was reported as “the flu”, or ‘wink-wink, he’s got the flu, and everyone hates him’. That is, what was reported was the exact opposite of the verifiable fact of the matter.
by Sports2 on Nov 5, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well written.
Professional journalism used to be about reporting stories from a neutral un-opinionated position but that seems to be the past now. Journalists are more like rumor mongours ( I hope that’s spelled right). Not to get too political but media outlets like Fox news, MSNBC, even sportscenter have these media guys making statements that are filled with personal opinion and less facts and it obviously doesn’t stop there. I never take anything the media tells me as the truth before I get info about the situation myself.
by Mr Rhythm on Nov 5, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The old formula
was be a reporter for as long as you have to until the old reporters that are now columnists either die, retire, or leave the paper.
I really don’t see how the old media struggles to do the same old job they have always done and opening up the reports to discussion.
It’s not like I see some weekly 2000 word report from a beat writer that attempts to summarize the last 7 days of stories, quotes, and tidbits. Is it so difficult these days to file a daily report on the team, an additional report after a game played, and a weekly summary to stuff in the Sunday paper?
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 5, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The seed of doubt has surely been planted.
mmmmhmm
by SoulEater7 on Nov 5, 2009 10:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Diogenes was said to have spent his entire life walking around the streets of ancient Greece in search of an honest man and never found one.
So why would we expect our local media, whose jobs depend on staying in the good graces of Bulls management to be truthtellers?
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
by Tyrusmancrush on Nov 5, 2009 10:29 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
Tyrusmancrush you nailed it - rec
The media is compromised by attempting to maintain a relationship with the team they are covering. We do not know the extent, if any of how much Tyrus is a problem. He seems to work hard in the off-season but there is smoke. The question now is there a fire. This takes real digging by a reporter and I do not see this happening in Chicago. In New York where the media is so competitive for a good story you are more likely to find out the truth than in Chicago. I also realize that competition can cause reporters to stretch the truth to make a headline or a sentence in Hoopshype. I am routinely appauled by the lack of quality journalism in Chicago.
by chgobr on Nov 5, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well that bugs me too
if they’re catering to the Bulls to keep access (an undeniable factor, though with differing degrees), why is it the company line to call out Tyrus for being lazy/selfish/etc.?
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
so they can justify letting him walk away for nothing
by MuleTrain on Nov 5, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and you'd think that makes no sense
and it kindof doesn’t. Mostly because I don’t think the Bulls are smart or organized enough to do that.
However I think they’re possibly too messed up to realize that his value is being hurt by not stepping in to mediate him vs. VDN, so they’re doing nothing.
Then they’ll get their ducks in a row next August where Reinsdorf can say he didn’t intend on keeping Tyrus anyway.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Please Chicago sports columnists .......... the facts
Is it really the company line to label Tyrus as lazy/selfish/etc? I am not clear where that comes from. The company line I hear is that Tryus is devoted to making himself a better basketball player. He does a great job working out in the off-season. The only company line I hear is that is remotely negative is that Bull’s management need him to step up this season if we are to be successful. That being said I hypothesize that some of the negative columns are getting information from Bulls sources. I have no clue if that is correct. It is an educated guess. This is where the reporters fall short. If they get information from a Bulls source they should check it out and justify their conclusion that there may be a problem. This recent questioning of why TT is not in Cleveland had no facts to support a problem. If he has the flu he should not be on the plane infecting the rest of the team. If you think he did something foolish to get him from playing state the facts to support this. There appears to be more facts to suppport that the lazy label fits Chicago reporters than Tyrus.
by chgobr on Nov 5, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Speulation has no place in journalism
Journalism and media influence thought, some people look at the media info as gospel. So when these guys report info wrong even if they retract there statements the damage is already done. This thing with TT was something that you could see coming a mile away. I learned this from what happened with T.O in Dallas how the offensive coordinator appears to have sabotaged T.O’s numbers (by not calling plays for him) then complaining that his numbers were bad, leaking info to the media about him, then out of the blue Jerry Jones being forced to release him due to internal pressure from certain coaches and Jerry’s son. TT is now getting his playing time reduced, he’s being played out of position (SF) which makes him ineffective, and there’s media reporting on behalf of the organisation negative reports about TT, all while he’s in his final year of the contract. The team NEEDS Tyrus to not perform well. Even if TT plays well, D. Wade, Bosh, or Amare with Rose will automatically fill more seats because of there name. Cedric Benson said the Bears tried to sabotage his chances of signing elsewhere and I think the Bulls are trying to sabotage Tyrus from having a productive final year in Chicago. Just my opinion and I could very well be wrong!
by Mr Rhythm on Nov 5, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You actually believe
anything Cedric Benson says?
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
by sue369 on Nov 5, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I AM SICK OF THOMAS....
Does that mean I get to stay home from work???? I started to dislike Thomas 2 years ago and more so each year. I am wits end on this I can hardly watch when Thomas is on the floor. It is time for a change. I was glad to see that the Bulls would not pay this over-hyped underachieving player. It seems like a lot of fans are starting to agree with my opinions on Thomas. He just does not understanding how to play professional basketball or handle the business side of it. I support VDN in benching him during 4 quarters, Thomas does not know how to play the game and you can not afford to have someone in like that during crunch time.
The Dude Abides
by Savage23 on Nov 5, 2009 11:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This dude is why good reporting is essential.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on Nov 5, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised this isn't on BullsTV.
Come on Chuck!
by SoulEater7 on Nov 5, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Tyrus days are numbered..If only he was 25 yrs old he wouldn't be included in Flu highly proable ages 2 thru 24 yrs old
Sam Smith’s latest article: Deng fracturing critics this season
After 4 games, hopefully after 40 games nothing else is fractured!
"I tried being reasonable, I didn't like it."
"Go ahead, make my day"
"We boil at different degrees"
"A good man always knows his limitations"
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"
by exult463 on Nov 5, 2009 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I swore I started reading that and thought he got hurt in practice or something.
Damn you Sam such a clever fellow. Sam isn’t making friends in Cleveland saying Durant will be better than James.
by SoulEater7 on Nov 5, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Every year drama and players and management squables. John Paxson's head is the only solution
I’m am so tired off this s..t. We need a management leader in here to set a new tone of real leadership and respect, not this behind the back dealings and double-speak!
Don’t you turn red or green with envy as other Pro players in both basketball and different sports speak with esteem and high regard for their franchise’s management and owners.
It has been over 7 years here with Chicago Bulls and nothing said “good” about Bulls management from players genuinely sounds sincere rather typical company man endorsements..if anything at all?
Actually longer than 10 years…
"I tried being reasonable, I didn't like it."
"Go ahead, make my day"
"We boil at different degrees"
"A good man always knows his limitations"
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"
by exult463 on Nov 5, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
K.C. Johnson reported that Tyrus just boarded a plane for Cleveland and hopes to play
Tyrus haters can talk all the mess they want to, but clearly he isn’t listening to anything you fairweather fans have to say.
Never Gave In, Never Gave Up. I'm the only thing I'm afraid of.
by BigEazy on Nov 5, 2009 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
so maybe he doesn't have H1N1
and Noe_Valley was so damned confident of this. Noe_Valley, absolutely SURGING up the BaB shittiest commenter rankings!
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 5, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That is good news.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
by sue369 on Nov 5, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
exult463, is right on the money...
I agree the major problem holding the Bulls back for much of the past decade is JOHN PAXSON. He has put us in a very tough spot and now instead of taking the heat he hands over the GM title to a puppet who will take the blame if things go wrong. However, rest assured it is still Paxson making the personnel decisions and until that stops we will continue to struggle. You have to be pretty bad for fans to loudly BOOOO your a$% at a home game. He is that bad…
The Dude Abides
by Savage23 on Nov 5, 2009 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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