Young Tyrus Thomas seemingly didn't know he was supposed to lie. Fake enthusiasm is all the rage. Smile as you mouth platitudes about how much the fans enjoy watching you jump really high in the air for some phony contest!
Thomas only dunking for dough | Chicago Tribune Perhaps Tyrus Thomas will display more energy and enthusiasm during the slam-dunk contest than he did Monday in discussing his participation.Asked if he were excited about becoming the first Bull since Scottie Pippen in 1990 to participate in the event as part of All-Star weekend, Thomas barely looked up from untying his shoes.
“Not really,” Thomas said. “I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day.”
Asked if an opportunity to rub elbows with some of the game's greats could be beneficial for a rookie, Thomas kept unlacing.
“I'm just into the free money,” he said. “That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there.”
which led to:
Bulls fine Thomas
The Bulls fined forward Tyrus Thomas $10,000 on Tuesday, one day after the rookie said he only was interested in the money for the NBA's slam dunk contest.
How does one get invited to these inane contests anyway - do the participants get chosen by the league, or do they have to petition to be included? Sounds like Mr. Thomas wasn't too enthused to participate in the lame-osity. Maybe he had a good Caribbean vacation planned already, instead of faux competition against these schmoes for these small stakes (yearly salary $3.26 million):
The winner gets $35,000. The runner-up receives $22,500. Third and fourth place are worth $16,125.Thomas' competition is Orlando's Dwight Howard, Boston's Gerald Green and defending champion Nate Robinson of the Knicks.
Tags: Basketball, /Bulls, /Chicago, /NBA
