Ballings7 wrote:the new don wrote:No not really ....remember now SAR was a starter and logged good minutes and contributed so much for us while kenny was becoming not even serviceable anymore. Petrie knew we needed to do something quick to make some sense of our PF spot. And SAR was the best out their at the time. We didnt have a fairy tale ending because Musslehead was the coach *argh the memories*
Indeed.
But what you're leaving out is Kenny played great when SAR went down in late December with that jaw injury. And he was a key part of the team's success when we began the playoff run when Ron came onto the team, especially defensively and on the glass. Then, Kenny hurt his shoulder in late March (which wasn't publicized much, strangely) and it brought down his play into the playoffs. Also the Spurs size played a part, as well, I'd say. He only gained more respect from me playing hurt, and while not playing like he can, still was passable.
After that season in 06-07, he was the starter for the first 2-3 months, still played pretty well for what he can do in the first two months, but not quite as good as previous seasons, and was inconsistent for stretches. Then, his playing time and role began to decrease from Jan. 2007 on, and stopped playing after the earlyish part of the 3rd qtr, Corliss/SAR taking over, and then somewhere within January/February, he got his leg injury (ankle or knee), and then sat out for the year the last couple months. Hasn't had any role with us really since, obviously being used sparingly, and not in the teams plans.
I think Kenny can get his career back on track once he's in a more favorable team situation. He's had and will continue to have lots of time off being on this team. Regardless, he's already had a respectable NBA career as a complementary player (production and money-wise).
Yeah, I agree with you Ballings. It seems that we are the few or only people that believes that Thomas could turn his career around.
Well, to add to your post, I say that when we acquired Thomas from the Webber deal, he was very solid for us. He averaged 14.5/8.7/2.9/1 Only in 29 minutes. He played a large role for that playoff contention. Eventually, we got eliminated by the Sonics in 5 games. Next year, he was competing with Shareef with minutes and as well as injuries like you stated. And we know what happened next. Thomas' production just went DOWN due to injuries, inconsistency, and etc.
Well, I could say that Theus played a big role on Thomas' production this year. Theus even said to him he is not in the team's furure plans.
Thomas recently was told he is not in the team's plans, the word from on high relayed through coach Reggie Theus. As if enough messages hadn't already been sent.
Theus forced Thomas to become a post player so we keep post feeding him. We know that Thomas is a perimeter type of PF. And obviously, Thomas doesn't have a post game. And we knew that this would be an ugly sequence in offense.
But Thomas' demotion from unwanted contributor to highly paid benchwarmer came quickly, and Thomas knows his unofficial end in Sacramento has arrived. His early play under Theus was a failed experiment at running the offense from the inside out, with Theus dumping the ball down low to Thomas, a player never known for his post moves. During the best of times with the 76ers, Thomas was a respected finisher around the basket who could step out and hit the midrange jump shot.
Yeah, eventually, Thomas is in the doghouse for the rest of the season due to his "lack of post skill" and inconsistent play. He IMO was mistakenly misjudged as a BAD player. In a right situation, he is a dbl-dbl threat with solid defense and hustle every night.
I think most people view Thomas as a bad player due to limited perspective and history about him. People will say "He needs a miracle to even get on to the court" "He sucks and a cancer" "Worst player ever" etc. People like that doesn't even know why Thomas is in the doghouse in the first place.
But as is right now, Thomas is being a professional. He does not complain playing time anymore or etc...
"This is where I'm at now," he said. "I've got to still stay in shape, because you never know what's going to happen, either if it's here or wherever it is, Europe or wherever. I've still got to maintain my sanity, which is working out, being professional.
"I have so much more positive stuff in my life than to let one situation get me down. … I'm trying to play hard. It's just a matter of when my time's going to come."
Too bad Thomas will have a slim to no chance in the court next year. He can be productive but not in this situation.
