Chicago Bulls veteran guard Lindsey Hunter didn't get into specifics about Tyrus Thomas' one-game suspension, but Hunter, now in his 17th season, spoke in general terms about his teammate.

"As human beings we all get frustrated with everything in life in different situations, but you can't act out in your frustrations," Hunter said before Saturday's game against the Miami Heat. "At some point, you have to grow up and be a man about it, or a woman about it. Life is full of trials and tribulations. If you get frustrated every time you have [a problem] then you're going to live a pretty frustrated life."

Asked whether Thomas still has some growing up to do, Hunter said, "Of, course. We all do. We all have areas in our life we need to grow up in. As long as you realize it and you constantly work on those things, eventually you conquer your own demons. I think that's a battle within [Thomas] has to work on."

Hunter said Thomas, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, still has a chance to become a great player in the NBA.

"He has a really high ceiling," Hunter said. "He has the potential to be as good as he wants to be and it's just a matter of him taking initiative to realize what he is, what he brings to the table, slowing himself down and put his game in a box."

Hunter stopped short of saying the suspension will serve as a wake-up call for Thomas.

"We all struggle with different things," Hunter said. "Maybe it's a different process for him than it is for somebody else. We all do things in our own time and our own way. Maybe this will help him understand that he needs to get beyond some things."