Kenny Thomas is not that Bad

[kingsfanofthemonth]

I posted a little pro Kenny piece in another thread but I thought this topic really deserved it's own discussion. Now I know that Kenny Thomas is not in the top 10 power forwards in the league, who are we kidding, he may not be in the top 20, but Kenny Thomas must surely bring some positives to the table. First off he's quick, faster than most big guys at the position. He's a good slasher and he can finish near the basket, and I mean very near, not that running through the lane and trying to throw the ball back off the glass bull I've seen him try. K9 can also rebound very well for a player of his size. He's can be tenacious on the glass and has got good hops. Um I can't think of much of else but....

You would think with the talent that our starting unit has, Kenny Thomas can have a role that takes advantage of his positives while masking his deficiencies. I get the feeling that a lot of people think that we have failed this offseason if we don't get a really good power forward. While the old Webb would have made this team a contender again, and as much as I would like the Kings to have a player like Chris Bosh, you can't just pick up players like that. I think we can win with the players we have if Musselman can figure out a way to take advantage of their collective strengths. IMO Adelman failed because he tried to fit a square peg in Kenny Thomas into a round plug being our old system, it didn't come close to fitting until Artest came aboard. Now I know this is a controversial topic on this board but I think we can have a pleasent discussion about this as long as y'all realize that keeping K9 around does not mean an off the rails off season, and also that I'm right and your wrong.

 

[VF21]

I posted a little pro Kenny piece in another thread but I thought this topic really deserved it's own discussion. Now I know that Kenny Thomas is not in the top 10 power forwards in the league, who are we kidding, he may not be in the top 20, but Kenny Thomas must surely bring some positives to the table. First off he's quick, faster than most big guys at the position. He's a good slasher and he can finish near the basket, and I mean very near, not that running through the lane and trying to throw the ball back off the glass bull I've seen him try. K9 can also rebound very well for a player of his size. He's can be tenacious on the glass and has got good hops. Um I can't think of much of else but....

You would think with the talent that our starting unit has, Kenny Thomas can have a role that takes advantage of his positives while masking his deficiencies. I get the feeling that a lot of people think that we have failed this offseason if we don't get a really good power forward. While the old Webb would have made this team a contender again, and as much as I would like the Kings to have a player like Chris Bosh, you can't just pick up players like that. I think we can win with the players we have if Musselman can figure out a way to take advantage of their collective strengths. IMO Adelman failed because he tried to fit a square peg in Kenny Thomas into a round plug being our old system, it didn't come close to fitting until Artest came aboard. Now I know this is a controversial topic on this board but I think we can have a pleasent discussion about this as long as y'all realize that keeping K9 around does not mean an off the rails off season, and also that I'm right and your wrong.

Actually, that should be "I'm right and YOU'RE wrong..."

Seriously, people are overlooking the main complaint MOST of us have about Kenny Thomas and that's his attitude. He really puts himself first ahead of the team and that's just not the way a lot of us would prefer our players to feel.

All professional athletes are self-absorbed to some extent. They have to be to survive. BUT when you see the attitude of someone like KT, it can really leave a bad taste in your mouth. Look at SAR's attitude in contrast...at least last year.

We need players who will do whatever they're asked to maximize their contributions to the team. That means coming off the bench if you're someone like KT who clearly isn't a first tier superstar. It means giving up a few minutes to someone like SAR if that's what the game dictates. It DOESNT mean pouting or stomping off the court or announcing to the media, local and national, your discontent about not starting.

Yes, Kenny has talents and he can be useful. But he needs to remember he's part of a team.

That's my main problem with him, that and his ability to suddenly become a turnover machine of the first magnitude.

 

[moradi420]

kt got a triple double last season, and could put up 6th man type numbers if he was chill on the bench

 

[BALLER4LIFE]

kt got a triple double last season, and could put up 6th man type numbers if he was chill on the bench

its amazing how 2 letters can mean so much. "IF" he was chill on the bench. but thats not the case. he feels he is a lot better then his skills so he feels he should be a starter. and as we saw last season when he didn't start he put up what like 4 points 2 rebs a game. i mean come on now.

 

[VF21]

its amazing how 2 letters can mean so much. "IF" he was chill on the bench. but thats not the case. he feels he is a lot better then his skills so he feels he should be a starter. and as we saw last season when he didn't start he put up what like 4 points 2 rebs a game. i mean come on now.

Agreed. AND he took pouting on the bench with a bitter beer face to a completely new level.

 

[nbrans]

Kenny certainly does not deserve the level of scorn that has been directed at him by this board during the offseason. He's not really that overpaid (although he does have a long contract) and he's one of the better rebounding power forwards in the NBA. But I agree with VF21, he lost me when he was so putrid coming off the bench and seemed to be pouting. Then he starts and all of a sudden he's a nightly double-double. You need to put the team first, and if Kenny did that this past season he'd probably have a lot more fans on this board.

But the people who want to just dump Kenny for three cents on the dollar are crazy, in my opinion. Just because he hasn't shown the best attitude doesn't mean he can't be useful to teh team.

 

[kingsfanofthemonth]

YOU'RE right, I guess I have the vocabulary, just not the grammer and spelling to be a great Sacramento Bee columist like Ailene Voison. It's kinda like how Kenny Thomas has the athleticism but not the attitude to be a good Sacramento King. But wait ... how do you understand K9's attitude problems so well. I hope it's not based on a couple of Voison articles and NBA rumor mills. The point is none of us know that Kenny Thomas' is a locker room cancer, he may just be a benign tumor that looks like cancer and none of us have the tools to do a biopsy (ok so I took the cancer analogy a little far).

I also think it's not entirely Kenny's fault he sucks off the bench. He benifets from play makers, he plays better with starters. Do you really expect Kenny Thomas to benifet from Jason Hart, famous for his studder step, studder step, hesitate, studder step, hesitate, shot. SAR can play with our bench better because if a set goes down the tubes you can always throw it down to SAR and he can create a good shot for himself.

 

[nbrans]

=

I also think it's not entirely Kenny's fault he sucks off the bench. He benifets from play makers, he plays better with starters. Do you really expect Kenny Thomas to benifet from Jason Hart, famous for his studder step, studder step, hesitate, studder step, hesitate, shot. SAR can play with our bench better because if a set goes down the tubes you can always throw it down to SAR and he can create a good shot for himself.

I disagree with this. Kenny's game SHOULD be suited for the bench. He's an energy player, a spot up shooter and a rebounder. There isn't a part of his game that really depends very much on other players. I understand it's a different mindset coming off the bench and it may be hard to come in with energy right away, but I still think he should be better at coming off the bench.

 

[Gary]

It's all about the attitude.

As a player he is fine (starting), as a bench player he is trash because of the whining. He didn't even try when he was coming off the bench, plus he sulked about it.

 

[kingsfanofthemonth]

I wouldn't trust Kenny Thomas as a spot up shooter much more than I would trust Early Boykins as ferocious dunker.

 

[kingsfanofthemonth]

It's all about the attitude.

As a player he is fine (starting), as a bench player he is trash because of the whining. He didn't even try when he was coming off the bench, plus he sulked about it.

Is there some sort of Being Jon Malkovich closet into Kenny Thomas' brain. If so can you please tell me so I have the same persepective as you.

 

[SCKingsfan]

YOU'RE right, I guess I have the vocabulary, just not the grammer and spelling to be a great Sacramento Bee columist like Ailene Voison. It's kinda like how Kenny Thomas has the athleticism but not the attitude to be a good Sacramento King. But wait ... how do you understand K9's attitude problems so well. I hope it's not based on a couple of Voison articles and NBA rumor mills. The point is none of us know that Kenny Thomas' is a locker room cancer, he may just be a benign tumor that looks like cancer and none of us have the tools to do a biopsy (ok so I took the cancer analogy a little far).

I also think it's not entirely Kenny's fault he sucks off the bench. He benifets from play makers, he plays better with starters. Do you really expect Kenny Thomas to benifet from Jason Hart, famous for his studder step, studder step, hesitate, studder step, hesitate, shot. SAR can play with our bench better because if a set goes down the tubes you can always throw it down to SAR and he can create a good shot for himself.

Well, I can appreciate what Kenny DOES bring to the game. But he is a great 6th man who doesn't work as a 6th man. At his position, that is all he'd ever REALLY be good at in this league, and it is too bad he can't be comfortable/content in that role. Regarding playing with 2nd/3rd stringers, that's not the 6th man role really - he should be there for a shot of energy off the bench, accompanying starters and backups alike. Re: his attitude - whether it's that or simply his inability to concentrate when he doesn't get in exactly when he wants - it is clear from watching games (I attended or watched nearly every game last year) that his effort/effectiveness were at best inconsistent. He had some brilliance, but if you're unable to sustain that...well, it makes you a 6th man at best. So, again, a man built for a role that he cannot seem to play.

 

[VF21]

YOU'RE right, I guess I have the vocabulary, just not the grammer and spelling to be a great Sacramento Bee columist like Ailene Voison. It's kinda like how Kenny Thomas has the athleticism but not the attitude to be a good Sacramento King. But wait ... how do you understand K9's attitude problems so well. I hope it's not based on a couple of Voison articles and NBA rumor mills. The point is none of us know that Kenny Thomas' is a locker room cancer, he may just be a benign tumor that looks like cancer and none of us have the tools to do a biopsy (ok so I took the cancer analogy a little far).

How do I know about his attitude problem? Well, let's see. First, I've seen it first-hand at games. Second, people whose opinions I really value and trust have seen it first-hand. It's also been shown on national and local TV during games. As someone who does the PBP for every Kings game for this board, I'm pretty focused on what's happening and when the camera shows him stomping off the court, going to the end of the bench, throwing himself into a chair and then glaring, I'd say that's an attitude problem, especially when it happens more than once.

I also think it's not entirely Kenny's fault he sucks off the bench. He benifets from play makers, he plays better with starters. Do you really expect Kenny Thomas to benifet from Jason Hart, famous for his studder step, studder step, hesitate, studder step, hesitate, shot. SAR can play with our bench better because if a set goes down the tubes you can always throw it down to SAR and he can create a good shot for himself.

He sucks off the bench because he doesn't want to come off the bench. Adelman RARELY used a platoon system for substitutions, so your assessment of KT doing better with starters than scrubs is without basis in fact, IMHO.

This attitude thing isn't something that just showed up here at Kingsfans.com KT has carried that around with him wherever he's gone.

His main problem is that he's about three inches too short. And that's something he can't fix...

 

[VF21]

Is there some sort of Being Jon Malkovich closet into Kenny Thomas' brain. If so can you please tell me so I have the same persepective as you.

If you can't see the forest for the trees, don't blame us. It's not like we're the first people to ever talk about Kenny's attitude and I doubt if we'll be the last.

 

[atxrocker]

kT isn't that bad, but he isn't that good either. And his skill certainly does not make up for what he lacks in the attitude department. He is unwilling to do what is asked of him for the better of the team and compromises chemistry with his persistance to have things his way. The results are clear and he is not worth the headaches he has caused. KT's mindset is absolutely selfish and he doesn't come close to being a team player.

 

[kupman]

I posted a little pro Kenny piece in another thread but I thought this topic really deserved it's own discussion. Now I know that Kenny Thomas is not in the top 10 power forwards in the league, who are we kidding, he may not be in the top 20, but Kenny Thomas must surely bring some positives to the table. First off he's quick, faster than most big guys at the position. He's a good slasher and he can finish near the basket, and I mean very near, not that running through the lane and trying to throw the ball back off the glass bull I've seen him try. K9 can also rebound very well for a player of his size. He's can be tenacious on the glass and has got good hops. Um I can't think of much of else but....

You would think with the talent that our starting unit has, Kenny Thomas can have a role that takes advantage of his positives while masking his deficiencies. I get the feeling that a lot of people think that we have failed this offseason if we don't get a really good power forward. While the old Webb would have made this team a contender again, and as much as I would like the Kings to have a player like Chris Bosh, you can't just pick up players like that. I think we can win with the players we have if Musselman can figure out a way to take advantage of their collective strengths. IMO Adelman failed because he tried to fit a square peg in Kenny Thomas into a round plug being our old system, it didn't come close to fitting until Artest came aboard. Now I know this is a controversial topic on this board but I think we can have a pleasent discussion about this as long as y'all realize that keeping K9 around does not mean an off the rails off season, and also that I'm right and your wrong.

I will agree with you as a long-time K9 apologist here. I gave-up this fight a long time ago. People around here do not care for him, so if you are looking for K9 sympathy, do not expect much of it here.

Why am I a K9 apologist? Because he is quick to the ball, hustles and grabs alot of loose rebounds/balls. These are things that have been sorely missed on the Kings - especially pre-Artest. People always talk about his attitude. I really do not know about that. Yeah, he has a pouty face, but I do not care. His hustle on the court tells me more about his attitude than his facial expressions. I wish more Kings would have his hustle.

 

[SLAB]

I really could care less about Kenny Thomas' attitude.

I think the fact is, he is the ROLE-PLAYING player of our starting 5.

He doesn't need the ball to be effective at what he does.

I mean, with SAR starting, every single one of our players likes to have the ball in his hands...With K9, you don't have every single player wanting theiur touches.

And SAR coming off the bench automatically makes him the leader of the bench...He can put up 6th-man numbers.

And I'll take that.

I think leaving K9 as a starter and SAR as a bench-player makes us a slightly more rounded team.

 

[zo0mmike]

KT's got quick hands getting to the ball for rebounds and defense.. that's about it. He used to be pretty consistent with that midrange jumper but somehow he lost it last season. If he can get back to knocking down those open jumpers every now and then coupled with his hustle.. he's not so bad.

 

[TheJoker]

I think people hate the fact that we're stuck with Kenny's contract it has nothing to do with his game although he is inconsistent with it. but his contract is not worthy because he doesn't live up to playing like his contract is being payed he absolutely has a bad habit of having inconsistent games thus we hate him...

getting rid of him should be the #1 thing right now but who's gonna take him?

 

[Kings113]

I like KT as a player, and isn't just a rebounder. Just would like his attitude to be a bit better, and to have a center who is effective defensively next to him.

If we can deal him for acquistion(s) with value, sure.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

kt got a triple double last season...

And Tony Delk once dropped fifty on us... he's garbage, too.

 

[bibbinator]

If we were smart we'd be raising his trade value by touting him.

 

[TheJoker]

If this isn't Kenny's last year as a King i'm really gonna get upset we have to get rid of him 'ASAP' maybe moving him in the deadline is something that can be possible but we have to get rid of him his contract is not worth it and his inconsistency blows my mind.

 

[Wuster]

I like KT as a player, and isn't just a rebounder. Just would like his attitude to be a bit better, and to have a center who is effective defensively next to him.

If we can deal him for acquistion(s) with value, sure.

Nice sum up... It'll be really interesting to see how Muss uses KT, also.

 

[Gary]

If this isn't Kenny's last year as a King i'm really gonna get upset we have to get rid of him 'ASAP' maybe moving him in the deadline is something that can be possible but we have to get rid of him his contract is not worth it and his inconsistency blows my mind.

Maybe giving him the starting job? The guy played well starting. If we leave him on the bench it might lower his value.

 

[kennadog]

Its mainly KT's attitude I haven't liked. Altho I must admit, I think part of his problem is he has weak smiling muscles.

Is he the power forward I wish we had? Of course not, but he'd be okay if he was team first.

I'm resisting starting a "Kenny Thomas Isn't That Great" thread. It just looks so tempting. He's not bad and he's not great. So he needs to just give the team the best of what he's got for the team every game.

 

[TheJoker]

Maybe giving him the starting job? The guy played well starting. If we leave him on the bench it might lower his value.

Leaving him on the bench is better because he does not get enough playing time to show his inconsistency. i think the only way we get rid of KT is giving up a big peice as a main interest for other clubs. cause no team is crazy enough to take on KT's contract even Isiah is not stupid or is he?

 

[Bricklayer]

Is Kenny a crappy NBA power forward? No.

Is Kenny a crappy NBA starter? Yep.

Is Kenny a starter on a contender? No.


Now all of that said, I mentioned earlier in the summer that sad as it is to be starting Kenny Thomas, we simply cannot give him away for nothing. The reason? The one talent he does have, rebounding, is something that we are completely miserable at. And its only gotten worse this summer. I mentioned back before free agency began that if we traded KT we needed to add a major rebounder back. But now with the loss of Bonzi...well KT and Bonzi were the ONLY guys on the glass all last year. Losing one hurts an already buttersoft boarding crew. Losing both...we could easily be the worst rebounding team in the league. So we are stuck again with a "power" forward the same height as Kevin Martin, John Salmons and Francisco Garcia.

 

[TheJoker]

Is Kenny a crappy NBA power forward? No.

Is Kenny a crappy NBA starter? Yep.

Is Kenny a starter on a contender? No.


Now all of that said, I mentioned earlier in the summer that sad as it is to be starting Kenny Thomas, we simply cannot give him away for nothing. The reason? The one talent he does have, rebounding, is something that we are completely miserable at. And its only gotten worse this summer. I mentioned back before free agency began that if we traded KT we needed to add a major rebounder back. But now with the loss of Bonzi...well KT and Bonzi were the ONLY guys on the glass all last year. Losing one hurts an already buttersoft boarding crew. Losing both...we could easily be the worst rebounding team in the league. So we are stuck again with a "power" forward the same height as Kevin Martin, John Salmons and Francisco Garcia.

Kenny Thomas is not consistent with any ability he has. we need a big man who can be consistent then we will be talking contender.

and i disagree about giving up Kenny only if we get something back, we have to get rid of his contract you really think some team is gonna give up value for Kenny Thomas and his contract?

Kenny Thomas is inconsistent with scoreing

Kenny Thomas is inconsistent with rebounding

Kenny Thomas is inconsistent with his overall performance

Kenny Thomas has a bad attitude

His contract

thats the reason alone we need to get rid of Kenny Thomas we can't rely on his rebounding and his performance because hes not consistent with it PLEASE get rid of him.

 

[GoGoGadget]

and i disagree about giving up Kenny only if we get something back, we have to get rid of his contract you really think some team is gonna give up value for Kenny Thomas and his contract?

We did.