If Tyrus Thomas collects any money at the NBA’s slam-dunk contest, a $10,000 fine Bulls general manager John Paxson levied Tuesday will partly offset his haul.
Paxson reacted swiftly and seriously to comments Thomas made in a Monday interview with the Tribune in which the rookie forward repeatedly claimed his only interest in the All-Star weekend event was the prize money.
“This fine is an appropriate response,” 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.
“The league office has chosen Tyrus to participate in one of its premier All-Star events, and that is an honor that should be accepted with humility.”
Paxson disclosing the amount of the fine is a radical departure from organizational policy. And it speaks to his level of disappointment.
An appeal is expected. Repeated calls to Thomas’ agent to determine if an appeal would be made through the players association weren’t returned.
The NBA league office has yet to determine if Thomas’ invitation will be rescinded.
Thomas said he planned to donate any money he won to his high school. He hopes he still gets the opportunity. In an interview after Bulls practice in Sacramento, Thomas more fully explained his remarks.
“Everybody who knows me knows I’m just a chill guy, so maybe I should’ve been enthused about it,” Thomas said. “Who wouldn’t want to be in the dunk contest? More people watch that than the game itself.
“This is a learning experience for me. I have to tell you exactly what I feel and make sure I say what I mean. I can’t fault [reporters] for doing [their] jobs.
“A lot of people are going to look down on what I said. There’s nothing I can do now. It was totally misinterpreted. I’m going to go out and try to win the dunk contest and have fun and represent the Bulls well.”
P.J. Brown is a fellow Louisiana native who has been a mentor to Thomas this season. Their lockers are next to each other at home and for road games. Thomas has been a frequent visitor to Brown’s house and has befriended Brown’s family.
Speaking from Sacramento, Brown defended Thomas.
“From what Tyrus told me from Day One when he first heard he might get invited, he was excited about the opportunity,” Brown said. “He was definitely looking forward to representing the Bulls.
“As far as his comments, it’s just a young mistake. He’s in the early stages of his career. It’s something he can learn from and move forward. He’ll be a better person for it.”
After starting two games in January for the injured Ben Wallace, Thomas, 20, has played just 18 minutes in the first four games of the Bulls’ seven-game trip, which continues Thursday night in Sacramento.
Asked if frustration over playing time could have fueled his controversial comments, Thomas said no. He is averaging 10.3 minutes.
“I actually talked to someone about that [Tuesday] who thought maybe because of that, but, nah,” Thomas said. “Of course I want to play. But there are things I need to do to get better so coach feels comfortable. So that didn’t have anything to do with it. I learned how to deal with not playing. I’m not accepting it. But it’s not a frustrating matter for me.”
Coach Scott Skiles, through a team spokesman, deferred to Paxson’s statement on the issue.
The fine is the largest on record for the Bulls since November 2001, when former GM Jerry Krause docked Charles Oakley $50,000 after Oakley ripped coach Tim Floyd for making a five-man substitution.
Paxson talked to Thomas on Tuesday morning and took action before the NBA league office could do so.
“I’m confident he understands that he made a mistake with his words and that he also understands the importance of representing the Bulls and the NBA in a positive way,” Paxson’s statement continued.
Thomas said he does understand.
“I didn’t want by any means to make it seem that I’m going out there for the money,” Thomas said. “I’m not keeping the money anyway. I was going to give that to my high school. I’m going to go out and have fun and relax from the season.”
Heavyweights Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter will judge the contest, whose winner gets $35,000. The runner-up receives $22,500, and third- and fourth-place finishers receive $16,125.
Not that it’s about the money.
“Tyrus is a good kid who means well,” Brown said. “Things happen. Sometimes you say things you don’t mean. From what he’s told me, he’s super excited about going to Las Vegas and having fun in the contest. And he wants to win it.”
It’s up to the league office whether Thomas gets that chance.
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
