Thomas filling Noah's void for Bulls

Kurt Thomas reverted to his career-spanning motivation shortly after signing his one-year, free-agent deal with the Bulls on July 26 for his 16th NBA season.

"I come in every year expecting to start," Thomas said.

So, apparently, Thomas forgot Joakim Noah was on the roster?

"Oh, I knew he was," Thomas said. "But that's what my mindset is. That's how I go into my offseason. I have to consider myself a starter."

Thanks to Thomas' matter-of-fact — not malicious — mindset, the reliable veteran currently is as Noah recovers from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Bulls haven't missed a beat in Noah's absence, improving to 15-6 after Monday's victory over the Bucks, which Thomas' season-high 22 points fueled.