That whirling defensive dervish on display during the Bulls' victory over Utah on Saturday contrasts sharply with the quiet-as-a-mouse personality Thabo Sefolosha cultivates off the court.
But even Sefolosha, when pressed, admits the 10 "DNP—coach's decision" designations that have accompanied his name in box scores this season have affected him.
"Of course you go home sometimes and you say, 'Man, I wanted to play so much. I feel I could've helped them,' " Sefolosha said late Saturday. "You're frustrated. But then you go back the next day and keep working.
"I know everybody sounds the same, but that's what it is. You have to keep working in practice and when times get tough and you don't play much you have to stay positive and keep doing your job. You have to get your mind off the playing time. You work for down the line. It's not the five or six games I didn't play that matters, it's the next game, five games, 10 games that matter."
"Thabo's a professional," guard Ben Gordon said. "He never complains or moans. He just comes out and when his number is called, he produces. You have to give him a lot of credit. He stays ready. He works on his game. It showed."
"The rotations sometimes aren't there for him, but he's been terrific working," Bulls Coach Vinny Del Negro said. "That's why you do all that extra running and shooting and stay prepared. When you seize an opportunity and make a contribution to the team, that's what being a professional is all about."
