Tyrus suspended for Miami game

The Bulls announced Saturday afternoon that forward Tyrus Thomas has been suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. He won't play against the Heat tonight at the United Center.

Maybe more details will follow, but this probably stems from unhappiness about his playing time. Even with Joakim Noah out, Thomas played just 16 minutes in Friday's loss at Atlanta -- his fifth straight game of 20 or fewer minutes.

Here's what coach Vinny Del Negro said about the suspension before Saturday's game: “It’s disappointing, but I feel it’s the right thing to do. In the short run, there’s a responsibility. No one player is bigger than the team. There’s a responsibility to do things right.

"I think by handling the situation the right way, which I think we are –- I know we are -- it’s not one person it’s a group. You have to be committed to what your role is on the team. You have to be committed to your teammates, your coaches, your organization. That goes for everybody. Guys know how things run around here and that’s how it’s going to be."

Thomas had a couple of nice games when he first returned from a broken left arm on Dec. 26, but since then his playing time and his contributions have been sporadic.

Team insiders have said coach Vinny Del Negro has made it a policy to hold players accountable, but how exactly that relates to Thomas isn't clear. As every Bulls fan knows, the fourth-year forward can make some poor decisions on the floor and he can dominate games with his defense and athleticism when plays well.

I'm hearing there isn't much trade interest in Thomas right now, so the Bulls may end up just renouncing his rights this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.

We'll see what happens, but they could definitely use him against Miami, playing their fourth game in five nights with an already depleted lineup.