A Formal Apology to Kenny Thomas - An Open Letter on behalf of many King's fans.
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 7, 2009 6:27 PM PST
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PrintDear Mr. Thomas,
StR has taken more bites out of you than all the dogs in Michael Vick's Dog Fighting League and I wanted to take a moment to come correct and apologize on behalf of many that unfairly attacked and/or took shots at you.
While I know I am not in your fav 5 and am not professing to know you personally, I do know that you haven't been given a fair shake and I hope to change that.
It seems like only yesterday during the Summers of 1996-7 that you were working the clock in the axillary gym at the UNM Summer Basketball Camp while I was reffing when we met and kibitzed between timeouts and quarter breaks. You and I were both volunteering our time and I saw first hand, you signing autographs for little kids, being approachable and very humble despite being the big man on campus.
We joked about how tough but fair Coach Bliss was, how you learned to roll with the punches, and how you enjoyed helping out with his camp--giving back to the kids--despite it being a hundred degrees outside and having a hundred other places you could have been during those hot, and boring New Mexico Summers.
Having been to dozens of high school/AAU/JC/Pro-AM camps and seen dozens of prima donnas who come in with their ghetto fabulous threads, their junior entourage, with their Mr. T Starter sets, you were unassuming, mature, well spoken, gracious, professional and just a great guy. I have always admired you for that. You also hooked me up with some UNM warm ups--I still have them.
Most people here don't know that you are either first of second all time in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, dunks at UNM and kept the team in the Top 25 AP Poll or NCAA tourney all four years you were there.
I doubt people realize that you are only one of two rookie NBA Players to lead your team in rebounding and you did so on a Rockets team that featured Hall of Famers Hakeem and Sir Charles (injured for most of that year) Kelvin Cato and Carlos Rogers.
During the '03-04 campaign in Philadelphia you averaged a double double-only 10 others in the league did the same--all taller than you. Afterwards you graciously accepted a reserve role fighting for time with Skinner, Williamson, Ingoudala and Rogers and really never had a chance once you landed with the Kings. Sorry our coaching carousel didn't see that you could help the team.
Petrie was pretty smart to take your $39M remaining with Skinner's expiring and Williamson's contract and shed the horrible $62M contract owed Webber and his wilting frame. But because he was a beloved all-star and you were not, you were odd man out from the beginning. Yet you didn't bitch, you didn't tweet, you didn't pout, you didn't get any DUIs, or give anyone a reason to dislike you. No, you just showed up and did what was expected of you and took the abuse from too many who saw you merely as a salary cap nightmare.
I appreciate that you have given back to the community in many ways as well. You started a foundation giving out scholarships to high school students in Albuquerque who want to go to college and have the Kenny Thomas Youth Basektball Fundamentals camp.
This year you finally have a chance to play and you have contributed unselfishly: pounding the boards, demonstrated your leadership in the lockeroom and to the media, representing the team with dignity and grace and professionalism.
Our young guys need your help and you are giving it to them. I thank you for that. If we can sneak into the playoffs or at least get over 30 wins know you helped get us there even if you only get 20+ minutes every blue moon.
We owed you more that we have given you and if you can pepper the rest of the league like you did the Suns with an occasional 18 rebounds then I feel confident StR will show you the respect you deserve.
Sincerely,
Sactownheartochouse!
(From here on let the latest commandement on STR be: A moratorium on all K-9 & (Whoof!) references in honor of our new found appreciation and respect for our elder statesman, Sir Kenny Thomas. PS - I am all ears if you have any recommendations for a new name.)
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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I was afraid of that. I was hoping it would be several responses down the line but. touche!
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 7, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
I say we call him Sir Kenny Thomas Woof
Rec’d chouse.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Well might as well make it Sir Thomas Woof. er Wolf.
Off topic, but I am flying up I think in time for the game on the 23rd and will be around through the game on the 26th. I would love a group of us to rally. I understand your issue with the idiot Cav and Laker Fans, but if we had a brat pack we could take em all!
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 7, 2009 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
When a decision on StR night comes down
I’ll let you know. I know those 2 games will probably be tougher to get tix, and I’m not sure that either day is a good day for me to go out to Arco to catch a game. It’s another reason I prefer the 28th or 30th to catch a game.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
They're not selling individual tix for those games anymore
The only way to get them is by buying a 3 game package or going in groups of more than 20. I have the L*kers under my season plan but wanted to go to see Bron. It ain’t happening
Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...
Ah then in my case it's impossible
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Yes, it is
You’re best bet is probably the Nuggs or Sixers.
Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...
You don't think we can pull 20?
I can pull 8 on my own if need be. My wife, kids, folks, sister and her family. Let’s poll it.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 7, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions
It's up to section and TZ
They are organizing this thing so I’m going to let them handle it. Once they decide what games, we’ll probably have a vote. We’re really close to both games and looks like a lot of us want to do this StR game so I doubt we can make it against the Cavs or LA.
Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...
Good for Kenny
Though I do remember him sniping/complaining about whether he or SAR should start – and that is what I think he never recovered from.
He obviously still has some thing to contribute.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
If him giving enough of a crap to bitch about wanting to start is the worst thing he's done...
Well…Good for him, and good for us.
And as the only person defending Mister Thomas since, forever (and that’s his nickname -RISPECK!), I’m glad that PW has given Mister Thomas a chance to show that he can contribute.
I like this team, front to back. It’s not a great team, or even a good team yet, but it is getting better, and you don’t get 18 boards in an NBA game unless you have your shit together. This isn’t likely to be the team we have at the end of the year, but I feel like we’re holding some nice cards, and will continue to do so.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
I think we're just experience
and the consistancy that come with that to qualify for ‘good’ team status.
But then I’m clearly delusional anyway.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 8, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
Great Post SactownheartOChouse
Good points all around. It is interesting to note that Kenny Thomas, Donte, and Beno have all made significant contributions this year and that is a complete shock after watching every minute of every game last season (which was just brutal). All three I felt were lost causes and they have all proven me wrong.
As far as I can tell, Kenny received the brunt of our anger for three reasons: his horrendous contract (which is Billy King’s fault), his demeanor (doesn’t seem real shiny and happy) and because his jumper mysteriously left him. Seriously, his shooting motion is now painful to watch (like watching Barkley hit a driver or Steve Sax throw to first base).
However, I’m now just amazed at how well he rebounds and defends despite being undersized (the two areas we needed most last year), and I am pissed the previous coaching regimes didn’t recognize this and give him a chance. Is he overpaid? Of course he is, but that doesn’t mean you just chain him to the bench and forget about him. Kenny is a good role player that rarely tries to do more than he is capable of and he is the type of player every team can use.
Good additional points R-Man.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 7, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions
I will not apologize to Kenny Thomas
I just can’t do it. He dug his own grave in my eyes. He demanded to start and played like shit when he had to come off the bench. I’m sorry, but that’s a shitty attitude in my book.
However, he’s appeared to have a change of heart and is now just happy to get a chance to play. To me, that’s his apology to us Kings’s fans, which I’ll gladly accept.
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Dec 7, 2009 9:15 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Good point Vfettke.
Maybe it’s not all Kenny’s fault but he certainly should take a boat load of the blame. Thomas came to the Kings as a square peg for a round hole. Adelman and Petrie are both fans of multi-positional players who know how to shoot. Here we are, years later and someone wants me to apologize to a player averaging less than 2 points a game.
You first K-9.
Apologize for forgetting how to hit the elbow jumper we saw in Houston and Philly. Apologize for forgetting how to put the ball in the hole from 3 feet and in. Apologize for sitting there with a scowl on your face for the 2 years. Apologize for not opting out of the final two years of your contract when you had the chance.
4 NBA coaches deemed Thomas not fit to play minutes and now, after a handful of decent games someone want us to apologize? Good luck Kenny, whether it be at the deadline or at the end of the season, your days as a Sacramento King are numbered. You may be a nice guy behind closed doors but for most of the last four years you have been an overpriced basketball player who failed at almost every aspect of the game.
No law when it comes to me.
I let you type critics write and I just keep it hood.
That will never change.
I am not kissing no ones ass because I'm in LA. Suck a cock.
-Ron Artest (e-mail exchange with Kyle Slavin)
Not exactly overwhelming "evidence"
4 NBA coaches deemed Thomas not fit to play minutes and now, after a handful of decent games someone want us to apologize?
That should read: “3 NBA coaches deemed Thomas not fit to play minutes and now, after a handful of decent games, someone want us to apologize?” Those three coaches were named Musselman, Theus and Natt. I didn’t realize you held them in such high regard.
Kenny averaged almost 32 minutes a game for Adelman in the 2004-2005 season after coming over in the Webber deal. He played all 82 games in the 2005-2006 season, Adelman’s final year with the Kings, and averaged almost 28 minutes a game. That doesn’t quite equate to “not fit to play minutes.”
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 10, 2009 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
Uhh, No
K-Woof is only getting a formal apology about his time in Sacramento if he pulls an unconscious Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson and Omri Casspi from a blazing inferno (not a Brad Miller type blazing inferno).
With all due respect,
as soon as Kenny apologizes for last year, I will apologize for this year. His 18 boards the other night was an incredible feat when you consider that he had 15 boards the year before – that’s the entire year.
I don’t begrudge Kenny Thomas for making a lot of money. I would take that kind of money, too, and I couldn’t grab 15 rebounds annually if you spotted me the first 14. But at that price, I would have liked for him to have figured out a way to contribute to the KIngs prior to now.
This brings Corliss Williamson to mind. Corliss had a run of DNP-CD’s upon his return to Sacramento, but he answered the call when called upon, was ready and produced. I can’t help but think that Kenny Thomas had that same opportunity – he just didn’t cash it in.
By all accounts, Thomas is a fine human being, and Sacramento will be fortunate to have him as a citizen if he truly stays here after his Kings career is done. And I really have no malice towards Thomas. I am just disappointed that he offered nothing to the Kings when they needed him the most.
W**f!
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
That said -
I really enjoyed this post – very well done and rec’d.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Yeah, he really should have put himself into the game more.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
I understand what you're saying, Sims
But he fell out of favor with Adelman, then couldn’t earn playing time with Musselman, Theus or Natt. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…
Other players have apparently suffered from the poor coaching here (see Udrih, Beno). But none of them to the depths of anchoring themselves to the end of the bench while in the midst of a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract. And it’s not like he was mired behind a wealth of talent. The Kings needed help at the 4 during Thomas’ tenure, and lot’s of it.
If it is to be, it is up to me. The man has to be at least somewhat accountable for what has happened to him as a player while in Sacramento. Don’t get me wrong – I like what Thomas is bringing to this current team. But it sure has been a long and winding road to get here.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I'm sorry I missed the stretch of games Kenny was inserted and had 15 minutes to nail himself to the end of the bench.
Adelman went to Skinner and Corliss if I remember but don’t remember thoses guys being impressive and do we want to declare that theuss, mussleman and natt who obviously knew little about defense valued Kenny’s d skills.
Thanks for the rec, you and I usually agree on stuff but I say let’s let this season determine if it was Kenny or the prior regimes that were the crux of him not earning his keep.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 8, 2009 11:08 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
If Adelman had a problem with K9...
It didn’t prevent him from playing him all 82 games at 28 per, before he left in 05-06.
by unfair weather on Dec 8, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
Except -
that the year before, Adelman played him 32 minutes over the 26 game stretch that he was here, and Thomas averaged 15 and 9. He dropped to 9 and 8 the following year (Adelman’s last year here) and his minutes diminished by over 10%. Thomas followed that up with years of 5 and 4, 1 and 2, and 1 and 1 – and the whole time the team had a gaping hole up front that he could have helped fill. Now he is averaging a robust 2 and 5 for us, and I’m going to pony up an apology? Pass.
I want to be clear here. I don’t cringe when Kenny Thomas comes into the game, and I appreciate his contributions to this specific team. He has shown himself to be a professional and a contributor in this current environment, and as a result he is earning a larger portion of his contract than he has in the last 3-4 years. But for whatever reasons or factors, he did not come close – not close – to earning his contract while he was here. If that is not his fault, so be it. But I don’t feel that he is owed an apology on top of it. That said, I don’t begrudge anyone that thinks that he is owed an apology – it’s just doesn’t suit me.
Let E-Muss and Theus and Natt apologize to him. If one is owed, it is from them.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
K9 didn't earn his contract...
But that’s really the fault of the 76ers management for paying him too much.
He’s an undersized power forward, who plays fundamentally sound defense and rebounds well. That’s all he’s ever been, short of a bit of a midrange game that has faded as he lost some quickness. Guys like that don’t typically make borderline All-Star money.
Our team could have used some rebounding and defense last year and when Kenny got in the game, all of once for real, he did provide both.
As with a lot of guys on this roster, Westphal has found some spots to utilize him.
by unfair weather on Dec 8, 2009 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with both of you. In retrospect, I want to remember their was a physical issue with hime when his numbers dropped under him.
But when I look back at the stats, you would both agree Bonzi played out of his mind the latter half of the year—a contract year I believe. So maybe it was a nagging injury or probably it was that he quit a little bit when he was outplayed by another undersized more versatile player.
In perhaps putting this topic to bed, my premise was centered around having the posters that I felt were out of line in their bashing of Kenny mostly last year that took their disdain over his lack of value to a personal and derogatory level. For the record there is no apology that should be given to him over people who felt he didn’t earn his contract. I fall in that category. I just thought an acknowledgement that the dude is no longer the dead dog most everyone concluded he was.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
damn my typing sucks, today sorry for so many typos.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
The one game he was actually used last year...
He had 8 reb, 4 steals, a block, and solid defense in twenty or so minutes. I remember it pretty well.
He only left the bench 7 other times total last season, for only a couple minutes at a time. The few times he was seen, he did about what he’s been doing this year — provided solid D didn’t really shoot, and grabbed whatever loose balls came his way.
by unfair weather on Dec 8, 2009 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
Thanks for getting my back UW!
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 8, 2009 11:10 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Forget renaming Kenny Thomas - I say we call the current Head Coach of the Kings, Saint Paul
He has resurrected Beno Udrih and Kenny Thomas from begrudged to beloved.
Being a professional and playing your best is wonderful. Thanks for earning your paycheck.
Must...resist...joke about Kenny Thomas "Basketball Fundamentals" Camp...
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
Its soooo hard!
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 8, 2009 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
[insert obligatory overused sexual reference here]
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on Dec 8, 2009 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Jeez Sactownheart, I actually got a little misty eyed reading that.
I’ve already dropped the (woof) just out of respect for the hustle he’s shown this season. But I’ve still got to go with K9 just because it’s so easy to use in a game thread when the posts are coming fast and furious but I’m using it without pejorative meaning. I refuse to adopt any nickname over six letters, they are unusable.
Beautifully written piece. Ultimately the fact that Kenny can come in and meaningfully contribute without any hint of bitterness or resentment towards the Kings speaks volumes about his character. In my view, the 62 minutes he played last season had more to do with Theus and Natt than it did with Kenny.
I hope he gets to finish his career with a contender as a valued reserve. My guess is that he’s still got a bit in the tank and a little fire in the belly. I can see him coaching after his playing career is over and as you have so well pointed out, he’s still a high character guy. In the end character counts for more than the stats he puts up because as a still young man he will have the opportunity to positively impact young peoples lives for decades to come.
"I make love to pressure" - Stephen Jackson
Well said Blue
I was being facetious regarding the renaming thing cuz K9 does stick but I just wanted people to realize that Sir Thomas Woof’s contract sucks but not as bad as Webber’s did and had he been given more 8th man minutes on the league’s worst team perhaps he could have earned some of that jack he was making.
I think this year will prove just that!
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 8, 2009 11:18 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I agree about Theus and Natt
If you want my opinion, I think Kenny felt like he was smarter than Theus or Natt (or pretty much the whole staff), they felt threatened and shut him out, and he shut it down. Not an excuse, but a proximate cause.
I cannot fit into either extreme
on this. I think most of the K9 issues have been bigger organizational issues, particularly coaches who didn’t have the courage, the self assurance, or the know-how to communicate effectively with Thomas and use him off the bench effectively. He respects Westphal, and largely because Coach treats him with appropriate respect.
I’m happy for him, and for us. The grand justice is that he will finish this year somewhere with a potential long prayoff run. And it will pay off for our Kings. Good for him and good for us.
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
Anybody else interested in a "long prayoff"?
What the…?
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
I like long prayoff
It’s enjoyable to hear the Christian Right contradict themselves consistently.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
The funniest thing about that is
the “r” is the left pointer, yes? and the “l” is the right ring finger, hmmm? So how do you make that mistake? Freudian slip?
Lower their expectations and rise to met them
Blame it on your Chinese ancestors?
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on Dec 8, 2009 4:41 PM PST up reply actions
Nice going, Chouse
You beat me to it. Or saved me the trouble. I did say “separate K-9 apology forthcoming”. I didn’t say it would come from me.
Rec’d.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Dec 8, 2009 12:04 PM PST reply actions
Kenny is having a bit of a revival
And there are a few factors to consider in it. Number 1 on his list and mine: this is a contract year. I am sure he can be a nice guy, and I doubt he has squandered the 30 million or so he has made, but you gotta think that he really does not want to take a pay cut of 7 million dollars. If he can prove himself this year to be worth at least a couple mil, and possibly even the mid-level, then that has to be some serious motivation.
Let’s not think of K9 as that altruistic. He isn’t buying us all seats anytime soon.
Meanwhile, I think he is playing better, and arguably is the second best big man we have right now next to Jason, and for sure our best post defender. And when you consider that, I think it might be time to give him the nod as the starting center. Give him a chance to really show what he can be worth for a couple more years, showcase for the rest of the league so we can get a decent trade, motivate Spencer to come with some energy off the bench. I know it seems crazy, but I think we could really benefit from starting the big dog Kenny Thomas right now.
Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance. Vonnegut
by Ice_9ine on Dec 8, 2009 1:39 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I can't believe I'm reading this
Just count me out of all future bleeding heart, semi-ridiculous apology posts:
12/12 – Formal Apology to Olden Polynice
12/19 – Formal Apology to Billy Owens
12/27 – Formal Apology to Ralph Sampson
1/4 – Formal Apology to Bill Russel
1/15 – Formal Apology to Ailene Voisin
1/23 – Formal Apology to Benito Mussolini
Bless all their misunderstood hearts . . .
by bignerd on Dec 8, 2009 9:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Mussolini? Fine.
But we draw the line on Peaches.
Anyone attempting such an apology will be summarily banned.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Dec 9, 2009 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
lol funny. I never could get into peaches. Sucks sactown was only ever a single station town.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 2:28 PM PST up reply actions
I'm kind of a history buff
Add Aaron Burr, he gets a bad rap.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 9, 2009 1:55 PM PST up reply actions
He wanted to form his own Monarchy in the Western US.
He should be an honorary Sacramento King.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
Good case for Aaron Burr
2/1– Formal Apology to Aaron Burr
Shelved – Formal Apology to Grant “Peaches” Napear
The road to the doghouse
Kenny went from playing 32 minutes a game in 2004-05 to playing 62 minutes in eight games last year. If you want to point to someone besides the coaches and Thomas for the declining playing time, you’d have to look at Geoff Petrie, whose roster moves made Thomas end-of-the-bench fodder.
In 2004-2005 his chief competitors for minutes at the two big positions were Brad Miller, Brain Skinner and Darius Songaila with Greg Ostertag playing about 10 minutes a game. Kenny played 823 minutes in 26 games, or 31.7 minutes a game. He was ninth in minutes for the team despite being with the team for less than half the season.
Here’s what happened since then in terms of adding and subtracting players who could play the 4 or 5:
- 2005-06: Added Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Ron Artest; subtracted Songaila and Ostertag. Abdur-Rahim played 4-5 minutes more per game than Songaila. That’s why his playing time dropped 10%. He still played 2,293 minutes, third on the team. He averaged 28 minutes and played all 82 games.
- 2006-07: Pretty much the same cast, with Artest around for the whole season. Subtracted Skinner. Minutes fell to 1,412, seventh on the team, an average of 22.8 per game in 62 games.
- 2007-08: Added Mikki Moore, Spencer Hawes and Shelden Williams. Shareef only played six games. Kenny played 281 minutes, 13th on the team, in 23 games, and average of 12.2 minutes per contest.
- 2008-09: Added Jason Thompson (team leader in minutes), played Hawes more. Added Donte Greene and Andres Nocioni, traded Miller and Moore. Shareef was gone. Williams played about 10 minutes a game. Kenny played 62 minutes in 8 games, 7.8 per, and ranked 18th in minutes.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 6:32 AM PST reply actions
Much in the same way that you would "point the finger" at Danny Ferry
for the reduced playing time of all of the other small forwards in Cleveland since LeBron arrived.
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Not quite
But your general point is valid. Our front line has been a weakness in recent years, and Petrie has tried to plug the hole with mixed results. You’ll get no argument from me if he brings the big man equivalent of LeBron here to play power forward.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 9:07 AM PST up reply actions
I'm with 214 on the Thomas question.
Thomas was well-loved in 04-05 (except by those who hadn’t moved on from the C-Webb era). He lost that by the end of 05-06. That year, he consistently produced well when he started. When he didn’t start, his per-36-minute numbers were horrible and he visibly looked like he was sulking, both while on the bench and while in the game. He also made comments to the media about wanting to start, which is a perfectly reasonably thing to desire, but probably should remain an in-house decision rather than being aired in the papers.
As a fan, it felt like he was saying, “If you start me, I’ll play hard and be a decent power forward for you. If you start someone else, I’ll sulk and be an incompetent sub for you. So think about it, we’ll both be better off if you just let me start.” That’s why I had (and continue to have) absolutely no problem with his two-year benching. It felt like he was giving us a choice between a slightly sub-par starting 4 and an absolutely crappy backup 4, and our coaches refused to play that game. They told him they’d rather go with someone else entirely.
This year, he is playing enthusiastically and productively in a backup role. He either (a) has come out of a long slump, (b) is older, wiser, and more mature, (c ) had his will broken by a two-year benching and is now willing to work in whatever minutes he is given, or (d) is in a contract year.
I’m always a sucker for hustle players. I loved Jon Barry. I grew my hair out to match Scot Pollard. I loved Kenny’s work ethic when he started out with us. I’m glad he’s working hard for us now. But unless he comes up with some darn good excuse (like, “I had mono that only flared up when I came off the bench”), I won’t appologize for resenting those years when he’d work hard as a starter and seem to slack when he didn’t start. And even though I’ll apreciate his current effort and cheer what he does well, those years will color how I look at him in the future.
by twasserm on Dec 11, 2009 11:35 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Similar to Salmons
As a fan, it felt like he was saying, "If you start me, I’ll play hard and be a decent power forward for you. If you start someone else, I’ll sulk and be an incompetent sub for you. So think about it, we’ll both be better off if you just let me start."
Who we rewarded by starting.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
I can't remember -
Who did we bench to start Salmons?
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We traded Artest
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Dec 11, 2009 2:12 PM PST up reply actions
He got lots of starts before last year
between Kmart and Artest getting hurt. At Garcia’s expense if I recall correctly.
The team was a real force with Salmons as a starter last year, and the Bulls are already being mentioned as the league’s biggest disappointment. Good riddance.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 4:10 PM PST up reply actions
That said
Salmons was probably the ninth best player in the 2002 NBA Draft.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
Which probably says more about the 2002 draft than it does Salmons
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Amen
Not much of a draft beyond Yao, and even his record is blemished by all the injuries.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
Other Notables
Stoudamire, Boozer, Prince and Caron Butler. It more or less goes downhill from there.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 11, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
The fact that Stoudemire was 9th overall, Butler 10th overall (and traded to the Lakers and Wizards),
Prince was taken 23rd overall, and Boozer 34th overall says how difficult it is to get a player that fits your system and what not.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Especially out of that crappy draft
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 12, 2009 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed on good riddance
I have no reason not to like John Salmons, but I do not miss him one bit.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
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