Nov. 14, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) dunks the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

To begin the 2012-13 season, Taj Gibson signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension. In the previous season, Gibson showed his potential and that he could be of good use to the Bulls, so he very well deserved the contract extension. But because of that, the expectations were higher, and unfortunately, he still has yet to live up to them.

At the start, Gibson struggled to play as the player Bulls fans have come to know. He may have averaged 6.9 points in the first 10 games, but he only scored in double digits in three of the games. Even more importantly, Gibson failed to make his presence truly known on the glass by never posting double digit rebounds. Along with that, he did not go to the free throw line in four of those games.

He continued to be inconsistent for a good portion of the season. Fortunately, Gibson came around as the season went on. His points average went up each month, until April that is. His rebounding numbers also got better, though they did not increase each month. Gibson’s best month came in February, when he averaged 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.5 steals, 1.6 blocks, 53.1% from the field, and 28.0 minutes of playing time.

But to Gibson’s dismay, his best month ended with him on the inactive list. During a 72-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 25, Gibson left the game after spraining his left knee. An MRI revealed that he suffered an MCL sprain. As horrible as it sounds, it seems fitting, as the Bulls’ season was defined with injuries. They just kept piling on. It was as if something good could not occur without a mishap following it.

Nearly a month later, Gibson finally returned in an 89-99 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, in which he posted 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block. From then on, he actually managed to finish out the regular season averaging 9.44 points, 5 rebounds, 1.33 assists, and 1.22 blocks. However, just as he got himself going again, of course something else had to go wrong.

Yet again, the Bulls were hit with bad luck as Gibson re-sprained his left MCL. It actually happened during the Bulls’ 86-90 loss to the Washington Wizards on April 2nd, but he was able to play for the last two games of the season.

Apr 20, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson (22) rejects a shot by Brooklyn Nets point guard C.J. Watson (1) during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Barclays Center. The Nets won the game 106-89. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Gibson was also able to play throughout the playoffs as well, but his season also ended as it began: inconsistently. Of the 12 playoff games, he only scored in double figures three times and never rebounded in double figures either. It is worth noting that he averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17 minutes of playing time. Still, Gibson needed to be a bigger factor in the Bulls’ playoff run.

Overall, Gibson had a decent season. He improved on his scoring averages from last season, and he maintained his rebounding average, but what really makes his season decent are the expectations that were placed upon him. Despite that, he was able to work around those expectations as the season lingered on. It is just unfortunate that injuries came in the way of his progress.

Final Grade: C+

Mar 27, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates with power forward Malcolm Thomas (3) during the second half against the Miami Heat at the United Center. The Bulls beat the Heat 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

In a season dominated by Derrick Rose — or his ACL, at least — there were a number of times when the actual team on the floor for the Chicago Bulls felt like a total afterthought. In the case of big man Malcolm Thomas, however, afterthought sounds pretty accurate.

Full disclosure: I’m extremely high on Malcolm Thomas. You knew that if you were paying attention to the site about seven weeks ago, when I submitted an impassioned plea for more playing time for Mr. Thomas. But in case you weren’t, I’ll just say that I think he has the potential to be the poor man’s Taj Gibson, and I’d love to see him and Taj anchor the second unit together next year.

Apr 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Malcolm Thomas (3) shoots the ball against Toronto Raptors small forward Quincy Acy (4) during the second half at the United Center. Toronto defeats Chicago 101-98. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

However, this season, you would be forgiven if you entirely missed his presence on the Bulls roster. He played more than about 5 minutes in a game precisely once this season — oddly enough, in the first game after my aforementioned plea — didn’t sign with the team until the end of March and would’ve spent the playoffs watching in a suit next to Mr. Rose if the entire Bulls’ team hadn’t gotten hurt simultaneously.

It could have been so much more, though. Thomas played for the Bulls’ summer league team in Las Vegas last summer and was a double-double machine. The Bulls really wanted to sign him, except for the part where they didn’t want to actually pay him. Thomas wanted a multi-year deal at slightly more than the league minimum. The Bulls countered with “yeah, no, take the one-year minimum or buzz off.” He ended up in Israel for a while before returning to the states on a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors.

Thomas will play with the Bulls’ summer league team again this year, and will almost certainly receive an invite to training camp. He should have an edge on any other big men the Bulls bring in this summer, as he knows Tom Thibodeau’s system already. But that’s next year, and this post is concerned with this year. Which means we have to give Malcolm Thomas an Incomplete and let him retake the course next year.

Final Grade: Incomplete.