I told you I'd be obsessing over this. Things are starting to get interesting. For one thing, Tyrus Thomas is becoming the posterboy for spoiled NBA players acting like jerks. (article)
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, in Salt Lake City for Chicago's game with the Jazz, 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. ...
"I'm just into the free money," he said. "That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."
Thomas makes $3.26 million. The winner gets $35,000. The runner-up receives $22,500. Third and fourth place are worth $16,125.
Thomas was fined 10,000 for his comments by his own team and the league is thinking of uninviting him to the contest. So much for your money Tyrus. Sam Smith takes him to task in his column today:
He has been one of the most difficult rookies to come along in the NBA in yearsâ€"angry, defiant, condescending, arrogant and having little time or interest for anyone below his self-perceived stately place in life.
On the flip side, Henry Abbott is taking the other side of the arguement, saying cut the guy some slack.
So Tyrus, whom I considered the top competition to challenge Gerald in the dunk contest, is drawing some unsightly attention to himself. If he isn't uninvited, I wouldn't be surprised if he backed out on his own.
In non-jerk related news, here are some more links that might interest you: