Reaction to Tyrus is excessive

I haven't read anyone calling Tyrus Thomas a thug. I have read writers saying that he sounded spoiled and inconsiderate of the fans. I would have to agree, to say that he only cares about the money when the all star event was created for the fans to showcase their favorite players. Plus, the fact that he hasn't apologized, only saying that he was miss-quoted, tells me that he had no problems with what he said. Truthfully, I wouldn't have fined thim though. The Bulls could have worked out some charity events for Tyrus to go to to help work on his humility and image.

Roman responds: This is from the article: "Here was a player appearing to confirm just what many believe, that the NBA is composed of a wandering band of ungrateful thugs who are selfish, spoiled brats just in it for the riches they can gain."

Yeah, this story bothered me a bit also. Does Paxson and Skiles think that kids want to be ballers because they love to hoop? No it's for the money and the fame. I can't believe they actually fined him for saying what he did. I don't know if the union will ever let that stand. I don't know if you've noticed but the word THUG has become a very pleasant way to degrade any black person, mainly athletes. Most people throwing it around are using it as a substitute for another word that routinely gets people fired and reprimanded for its use. The writer of the article has no clue who is a thug and who is not, let alone what constitutes thug behavior. It really is tiresome to see. What has T. Thomas done to give off the appearance that he is a thug? Nothing whatsoever. I just wish people would say and write what they really mean so we know who the ignorant racists are and who are not.

I think it's crazy to fine him for what saying what that money is the draw, even when many NBA insiders suggested that the NBA increase the prize money as an incentive to draw higher caliber players.

So you want to increase the money to draw players but you don't want them to want the money, or are they just supposed to not say they want the money?

I dont' think it was excessive, and i don't think it was all that terrible what he said. In fact, i don't think it is really worth discussing in comparison to say, oh i don't know, how about Rex Grossman? I doubt anyone would still have any comments to blog about on him, especially after ted phillips and ron turners comments and couches column. Just a guess, anyone have more thoughts on rex than tyrus at this point????

I think the way the bears pr machine is backing rex and the pr campaign to prop him up is making bears fans who know what they saw from him, and know how he is viewed around the NFL, really angry that the bears are trying to whitewash what was a really pathetic performance. And bear fans seem concerned that not only was this chance at winning the super bowl blown but that next years season will be another one of rex's shortcomings, and another season wasted waiting for this guy who isn't going to grow any taller, or stronger or more athletic or bigger hands etc. So, he can mature and get coached all he wants but he is just cade mcnown with a better personality, maybe a nicer family too. Its not that i don't like him, its that i want the bears to win before urlacher retires, mike brown is probably done, who knows if tommie will make it all the way back. Things change really fast and i think rex has already lost the support of some of his teamates, they can see what the guy brings, and if they stop supporting him or if the locker room is divided then the bears season will be squandered yet again.

And that goes for tyrus too.

Roman: I agree with everything you said, and what's worse, he is being indicted for responding to the following cliched questions:

16K+ to charity > being first Bull in contest since '90
16K+ to charity > rubbing elbows with all-stars
16K+ to charity > being judged by MJ, Kobe, Vince, and 'Nique.

The reporter didn't even bother to ask a straight question about whether he would have enjoyed competing!!!

Maybe Tyrus committed a P.R. gaffe, but he was set up by the reporter and certainly doesn't deserve a fine.

And then the other reporter accused him of a lack of candor and not talking to reporters, while at the same time indicting him for his candor!!!

Roman responds: Pat, I don't blame the reporter. I'm just shocked by the reaction of what I thought were innocous comments.

Roman, yes, you are right. I take that back, I don't really blame the reporter. I'm coming from a lawyer's perspective and I felt like the story didn't reveal the whole truth. In otherwords, the prosecution failed to prove its case.

I'm not sure what the collective bargaining agreement is, or what Tyrus' contract says, but I think the evidence was a little short to fine him 10K.

My take is that the white power structure in Chicago want black athletes to either be the silent type (Jordan, Billy Williams, Payton,etc.) or a shucking and jiving, yassa boss, minstrel show (Ernie Banks). Bill Madlock, a future Hall of Famer said "I am not Ernie Banks and don't want to play three today" and was promptly traded.

How dare this uppity Negro not kiss David Stern's white ass for the privilege of bouncing a ball for the enjoyment of a mostly white audience (as that is what I see at the games in the stands) ?

It all smacks of jealousy - here is a kid making more in a year than the pencil neck reporter will make in a lifetime

White Chicago needs to get over it. You got hockey, isn't that enough ?

1st let me start by saying that maybe in the past money wasn't no thing because they didn't make that much and when they first brought the slam contest out they received a lil bonus for taking part in the event, big deal he said what he said it was the truth and every player that has ever been in the allstar activities know deep down its only for the money cuz they really rather not be there, MJ always made statements about that but and even declined a few offers to be in the slam contest, u know why, cuz he didn't have to he had money now and thats the only reason he did then cuz he was new fresh and had something to prove and get that bonus, so at least Tyrus kept it real, and to me being politically correct in todays society is the reason we have so much b.s. going on in the world, keep it real be up front, honest at least then u know the reason and what people might actually think, instead saying something that isn't entirely true but it won't offend, screw that ...I APPLAUD U TYRUS THOMAS, for at least being honest and we need that more often, he's far from a thug and yes im old school in the aspect for the love of the game thinking, and it is alot of spoiled players out there, but he definitely isn't one, he left early to help support his family so yea money is on his mind, the have and the have nots, this is the society we live in, he just playin by the rules that was there before he came, so don't blame him blame the life we live now cuz we are all guilty of being politically correct or rather (incorrect)

Please...funny how this charity idea came out AFTER his comments. Classic spin control from his agent. A friend of a friend works in the Bulls' org - I guess Thomas is a complete pain in the butt and this was the last straw and just a convenient excuse to fine him to put him back in his place. Privately, the Bulls are sorry they took him and bet the ranch that he will be part of any trade they do if they can pull it off. He's a classic 1 year wonder in college and doesn't want to work to get better.
Finally, I wish they would get rid of this awful dunk contest - it is a shadow of what it once was. The guy who won last year missed about 10 dunks and still won. BRUTAL...

Roman responds: I'm hearing some of the same things, but from what I understand, the charity stuff was said before the controversy.

I think the crux of the story was the fact that the kid was so blatantly honest about an intention he may have in attending the dunk contest. I don't believe that Tyrus Thomas is a thug, but he is very young, immature with the press (not unlike Rex Grossman).

The kid made his ill advised statements and got his heat and his fine plus some well directed advice from John Paxson on what he did wrong. What he said doesn't diminish the fact that he is still a very talented basketball player with a very bright future. And honestly, the Slam Dunk contest could use the publicity it just received in this incident.

Roman responds: Good post.

First of all IF Tyrus had committed to give any money he receives in the slam dunk contest to charity before he made the statement he was in it for the money then the only thing I can see he was guilty of was not saying I'm in it so that I give give something back to the community. As Far as the the events such as the slam dunk and three point shoot out are concerned, they are a joke. Those events originally were part of a scheme to increase interest in the NBA at a time when it was the least watched sport on TV. The only events even worth watching the entire week-end are the rookie challange game and the all star game itself. And the only reason they are worth watching is to see IF and how some of the best players at their position play as a team. If Pax was looking to fine Tyrus because he's a pain in the ass then that's what he should have been fined for, not for being honest about why he was participating in the slam dunk competition.

The slam dunk contest's essence is the same as money. Its spectacle, for show, ego driven....it has nothing to do with humility, or being a team player. The worst team player in the entire world can get heralded for his performance in a slam dunk contest. And he's young, Thomas. Its unfortuonate he has to play a game with the media to this degree, but he does and has to be a robot for journalists, i just wonder how jim mcmahon would be percieved today, or was back then. Was he known as the free spirited challenger of authority who was bluntly honest towards slam dunk contests or would he be called a jerk, like thomas was?

The NBA dunk contest is nothing more than a quick money-making scheme, both for the players involved and for the Commissioner and owners themselves. Why would a rich black athlete risk injuring his most valuable assets [his knees, his back, his ankles and toes] outside of the regular season if there weren't some great financial incentive?

And how about the media? We all know this is just a kid who only played one year in college. That reporter has to know when to throw away a story and give someone some advice. Tyrus is just a kid. He probably wanted to go HOME for the break and then here comes someone goading him into representing the BULLS organization. Wrong I tell you. Wrong. This is AMERICA, we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Roman responds: From what I hear, Tyrus isn't one to solicit advice, especially from sports writers.

When was the last time a WHITE player was called a thug? Just curious.

Roman responds: Jason Williams?

What a jerk--the playgrounds all over America are full of guys whould would give anything to be in the NBA slam dunk contest.Some of them are probably better than Tyrus Thomas.Hes bored to be there.Maybe he will get bored in the gym this sommmer trying to get some game>He can only dunk,and get a tip in now and then.He is a shorter Tyson Chandler--No shot--- At least Chandler is scoring some now.He has bettter Stats than the 16 million dollar man Ben Wallace.Too bad he didnt do it for the Bulls.

Look at the situation with the headband issue with Ben Wallace. Petty B.S. Paxson and Skiles need to get real and stop the political bull and act like real executives with a clue because they certainly don't have one. And most important, white America need to stop calling black Americans thugs. Just another way of calling us N------.(and people say that there is no racism in America)

first Eddy Curry's heart, then Ben Wallace's headband, now Tyrus Thomas's comments. what is going on with Pax? this discipline or be damned thing is getting old real quick. it gives me the impression that the Bull organization is uptight and no fun to play for. these incidents seem to reflect the lack of consistency the Bull's show on the court.

It's silly that his comments received this much attention. He's a young man still learning how to handle the pressure of playing in a sport where your every word and deed is watched. Most people start playing sports for the love of the game, not the money. But as a adult with responsibilities, all of us, reporters included, look to improve our finances to better provide for our family. So whats wrong with his honesty? Did he say anything different than what most of us think when we decide what career or job to take.

I used to be such a huge NBA fan starting in the early 80s, until Jordan retired. Tons of great players, a few thugs, but great entertainment. Since Jordan left, the Tyrus Thomas attitude is the norm, as is carrying handguns, starting fights, and mouthing M-F bombs (see closeups of Kevin Garnett after any key basket).
With the advent of hip hop, and the "I don't need to practice" AI, the NBA is at an all-time low and the teams and NBA office are finally trying to do something about it.
Yes Daryl, most of the paying fans are white, so doesn't their opinion count? Once this "white audience" gets tired of this sad act, this league will go away or at least eliminate some teams which would be a good thing. The level of play is at an all-time low with too many high schoolers or 1 year of college players (like Thomas) in the league. There are about 10 teams worth watching (including the Bulls) and the rest of the NBA is about self-absorbed players - pick one...Arenas, Jamal Crawford, Marbury, etc.

Isn't Aloof another way of saying that someone isn't kissing your butt? If he said something that was offensive to any one person or an entire race,creed or sex then he should be fined. I didn't work overtime at my job unless it was for the money. But I was never that aloof whaen I was younger to say it in an uncouth manner. And Darryl I don't like hockey and it's not because I'm black. I wasn't fond of any sport as a kid where they lost their teeth at such a high rate. All they ever showed on the news were the fights and guys getting tagged with the sticks. Plus I can't skate with blades or wheels.I wish I had learned to love hockey because I would love to debate all sports. I'm just too much a pro football fan to even watch college football. I guess you can say that my world is limited.

How old is this guy again? Twenty(20) years of age!....let me see how I acted or responded to questions at that age? It was with brutal honesty, there was no PC to control my mouth, unless Dear ole Dad and Mom was around...*smile*

He is a kid making big money, in a high pressured media arena, with reporters asking questions all the time. EVERYONE does not have natural communication skills with the MEDIA. Hell, Scottie Pippen didn't have these skills either, but got a pass because the Chicago Bulls WON CHAMPIONSHIPS. We all know Micheal Jordan was the darling of the media, and the rest of the players picked up the scraps and were happy to get them. Just ask Dennis Rodman!

This young man is in his tune when playing basketball, but out of it when communicating with the sports-writers. Is that so strange? Not really! He has been bouncing a basketball for years, every since he was a little tyke, but has just begun scrutizining what comes out of his mouth the last year or so. Give the young man a break!

Another thing: Think this guy saw Jerry McGuire too many times, where Cuba Gooding Jr. screams "Show Me the Money!", if that is the case he is lock-step with the times.

Chester Hawkins...if you ever wondered why white people sometimes roll their eyes at legitimate claims of racism, it's due to comments like yours. Yes...these poor, impoverished young black men. They are paid millions (15M in Wallace's case)...how dare management have any say in how they dress or talk to the media!!!
Wake up...

Chester...I agree...I think Jessie Jackson should march himself over to West Madison and tell Reinsdort, Paxson and Skiles that that's no way to treat these millionaires!!!

Was anyone surprised by Thomas wearing a headband at the dunk contest? I wasn't...a silly jab at the Bulls in his mind I'm sure.
By the way...he was BRUTAL!!!!