Rookie forward Tyrus Thomas went to the Bulls brass recently and asked if there was a way he could contact Scottie Pippen. Quicker than you could say ''Bulls legend,'' Thomas had Pippen on the phone.

The two have become fast friends, to the point that Pippen has been working with Thomas after the team's practices at the Berto Center the last few days.

''Just working on my overall game,'' Thomas said. ''On and off the court, he's just being a mentor. I call him and talk to him about basketball, life.''

Bulls operations chief John Paxson is happy Thomas reached out to Pippen, whom Paxson said would make an excellent coach.