Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

by Tom Ziller on Oct 11, 2006 8:22 AM PDT in Commentary

This debate could go on for months. And months. And months. Actually, years. Both players are signed through 2011.

Who should start? The nice-guy former All-Star with superior offensive moves but some deficiencies in doing the dirty work? Or the sloppy, whiny, rebounding machine with an incredible hitch in his shot and permanent tough-guy scowl?

It seems like a no-brainer, right? So much so, that before last season, 88 percent of respondents to a Sacbee.com poll said Shareef Abdur-Rahim should start over Kenny Thomas. I was among them. It's not that Thomas is god-awful - he's an incredible rebounder for his size, he actually has some moves in the post and can be counted on for double-digit points (ask Luke Walton), and he's similar to Reef in his average ability to defend bigs. But Kenny Thomas is a Ford Grenada (dependable, kinda ugly but somewhat endearing) compared to Shareef's Austin-Healey (smooth as hell, slick and pretty, but ready to drop a transmission at any moment). (Kevin Garnett is clearly the Mercedes - powerful, swift, graceful, troubled - in this analogy. Tim Duncan is a Dodge Stratus - highly reliable, high-quality, not particularly exciting. Michael Sweetney would be the Volkswagon Bus.)

We all want the pretty car, right? Of course we do. Which has to be at least part of the reason we choose Reef. But even though his two points come after a tremendous dribble-drive from the left elbow and Kenny's come from an ugly jump shot that rattles in from the same left elbow, it doesn't make Reef's count more. It's about getting the job done.

When it comes to scoring and handling the ball, Reef is still much better at getting things done (pretty or not). But on rebounding - which is the Kings' greatest weakness BY FAR coming into this season - Kenny is far superior.

Mike Bibby is not a particularly adept rebounder for his position. Kevin Martin is not a particularly adept rebounder for his position. Ron Artest is a bad rebounder for his position. Brad Miller is an awful rebounder for his position.

Unless we're pushing the ball like Phoenix (which we aren't), that fifth starter should probably be an above-average rebounder. With the above-average shooting this team has (Martin, Bibby, and Miller are all above-average shooters for their positions) and the great foul-drawing potential (Artest, Bibby, and Martin drew lots of fouls last season), defense needs to be solid and rebounding needs to be average to end up towards the top of the conference. Coach Musselman is working on the defense. But you can't teach 28-year-olds rebounding. You can't scheme rebounding. You can't cover up a huge hole on the boards.

Which is why Kenny Thomas should probably start over Shareef.

There's also a cost-benefit type analysis you could do: if Shareef starts, you have three-star starter and probably a one-star reserve. If Kenny starts, you have a two-star starter (two-and-a-half, maybe?) and a three-to-four star reserve. Wouldn't Shareef be the prohibitive favorite for Sixth Man of the Year? Might he get so fired up about the slight that he gets even angrier and more hell-bent on regaining his star status? And we all know how Kenny reacts to being benched. He sulks, he drags the chemistry through the mud, and he doesn't perform close to his capabilities.

This situation will end with a trade - and I assume it will be Kenny's bloated contract on the way out as opposed to Shareef's valuable deal. But it doesn't look like it's going to end this preseason. So, Musselman has to deal with it. And I think Thomas is the better choice right now.

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Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

Kenny Thomas is a genious. He somehow manages to play so bad when he comes off the bench that you have to promote him to a starter just to get quality minutes out of him. Pure Brilliance. I wonder if he planned this some late night while lying in bed. I probably went something like this... "I need to get a better contract and some more money so I can get that 12th car to fill up my 12-car garage...but how, think Kenny think. I need to be a starter to get more minutes and more stats and nail that big contract...but how? Eureka, (aside: although I don't think K9 ever uttered Eureka in his life, its my story and in it he says Eureka) I'll act like I cannot play off the bench all the while sabotaging the team until they HAVE to start me." The problem is Kenny already got his fat contract but now knows no other way to play. If Kenny cannot come off the bench and produce he needs to go. However, if he rides the pine his trade value goes down the drain...tough choices, glad I don't have to make them.

by Mityt on Oct 11, 2006 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

TZ, I just made this comment in the below thread without seeing this one, but I firmly believe we need Reef to start. He is more talented than KT in almost every facet of the game. Whether he's got a pretty face, or is a quiet warrior, whatever, doesn't matter.

Shareef is a better player today (and in his career) than where I see KT getting to his peak.

I don't mind being proven wrong, but a starting lineup that includes Artest, Bibby, and Reef is more formidable than any other setup I like.

(Note: Potential bias: Reef and I both joined Cal in 95-96.)

Kings. A's. Cal Bears -- http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Oct 11, 2006 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

I think you're right on every point. I like Shareef a lot better as an all around player, but Kenny is about the only guy on the team who doesn't run from the ball when it hits the rim. The problem is that the Kings are relying on a 6'7" power forward not named Shawn Marion to be the best rebounder on a playoff team. That's one big reason I've been leaving the word "playoff" out of my descriptions of this team.

by Carl on Oct 11, 2006 9:34 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

Unless we're pushing the ball like Phoenix (which we aren't), that fifth starter should probably be an above-average rebounder.

Tom, if you were going to push the ball like Phoenix , it probably would increase the need for a great rebounder (like Shawn Marion).

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 11, 2006 9:38 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

What I was aiming at was that despite having a great rebounder in Marion, Phoenix was still the worst rebounding team in the league the last two seasons. You can't be that bad on the boards and win unless you play a style like Phoenix's.

by Tom Ziller on Oct 11, 2006 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

It is just possible that the new coach can get more rebounding effort out of these guys. Adelman was not the type to really sit on the players for any reason. He would ring his hands and recognize the need but there was never any foot up the rear incentive. Maybe with this coach's new style of play and pressure for rebounding things might be different.

by Observer on Oct 11, 2006 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

I would like to think this is true and maybe it could be to the extent that the Kings are a bad rebounding team as a result of poor fundamentals (e.g. finding a man and blocking out). However, I think that the Kings rebounding problems are at least as much the result of a lack of athleticism as fundamentals. I can't tell you how many times that I have seen Brad block a guy out and then have some 6'6 pogo stick just flat out jump over him and grab the rebound. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think you can "teach" or "inspire" these guys how to jump higher. Perhap, the best we can hope for is improved fundamentals, which may lead to a few more rebounds a game.

by Kusian on Oct 11, 2006 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

Well, we can certainly hope for that...

In terms of offensive efficiency, I've got to go Shareef....
but no-one else can rebound like K-9(tho' Bonzi used to come close); it'll be interesting to see what Musselman does.I have to say also that Kenny's inability to back up in post-up irritates me too....where the heck is the hook shot he should have?That's just dorky that he's complacent with his inefficient offense. You'd think he had Brad's hook shot(or lack of one) or something. Get with the p.f. program.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rhondda

by Rhondda Nunes on Oct 11, 2006 4:19 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

Speedracer averaged 4.7rpg in his 40 starts as a guard last year in 34 minutes. Pretty good for a 22 yr old. That number will grow this year. KT should start-more effective than SAR without touches. SAR for 6th man of the year is a beautiful thing. How many back up posts can guard him?

by kmart for prez on Oct 11, 2006 4:38 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

Zero, I'd think.

KMart isn't a bad rebounder for his position, but he is replacing Bonzi, maybe the best SG rebounder in the game. And Artest is actually a slightly worse rebounder than Peja, which is shocking.

by Tom Ziller on Oct 12, 2006 7:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Or Kenny Thomas?

I know for a fact that rebounding is 75% desire and will to get the ball and 25% athleticism. I am 6' tall and I am Dennis Rodman on the boards. I routinely play with guys 4 to 5 inches taller than me and I can get just as many rebounds, if not more, than them. I suppose I have a knowledge of how the ball will bounce off the rim and when to hold my position, but no more than any NBA player who has seen more shots than any of us. It is all about the desire to get the ball more than your opponent. Bonzi lived to rebound the basketball last year and I see no reason why his numbers cannot be replaced. Granted, Bonzi played close to the hoop which is very important when getting rebounds (O-rebs, which he excelled at, guy you are gaurding dictates d-rebs with position etc.). SAR can get as many rebs as he wants, especially cause he is taller and more athletic then K9. The only reason K9 gets more rebs is that he has a greater desire to get the ball, which can be a knock on SAR. After the broken jaw and return I will not question SAR's toughness and willingness to help the team, he just doesn't play mean like Kenny. It's a tough decision but I like SAR's firepower from the bench. If SAR starts we have nothing to come off the bench.

by Mityt on Oct 12, 2006 9:24 AM PDT reply actions