Tim Thomas sounded like a happier man before the Bulls played the Nets on Saturday night, maybe because he had 15 relatives in the audience or maybe because basketball is going a bit better for him.
“I’m starting to get back in the groove of things,” said Thomas, who grew up in Patterson, N.J.
Thomas, acquired from the Knicks in the Eddy Curry trade, had a rough start in October. He and Michael Sweetney missed several practices until the trade became official. Then on separate occasions he suffered ankle injuries that sidelined him through most of the preseason.
His inconsistent play in New York last season received heavy criticism. Thomas left no doubt Saturday that he’s satisfied to get a new start.
“It gives me a different opportunity to go out and showcase what I have,” he said. “I’m not saying in that situation [in New York] it wouldn’t have presented itself. This situation is definitely better for me.”
Thomas scored two points in 7 minutes 52 seconds Saturday.
Old friends
During warmups, Tyson Chandler embraced former Bulls coach Bill Cartwright, now an assistant with the Nets. The Bulls fired Cartwright about two years ago after going 51-100 in his tenure.
“I love Coach,” Chandler said. “I was upset when he had to make a change. It wasn’t on him–it was on the players.”
Stepping up
Rookie Eddie Basden’s defensive skills enabled him to suit up against the Nets. He had been on the inactive list in the season opener against Charlotte.
Coach Scott Skiles said he wanted Basden available to guard Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.
“[The Nets have] a couple of wings out there that are two of the best wings in the league,” Skiles said before the game. “They’ve gotten us in foul trouble in the past. In case we get in foul trouble, we have an extra body to throw on those guys.”
Skiles didn’t use Basden.
