http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/76589.html
Forwards shelve feud, join forces
Thomas, Abdur-Rahim complement each other as starters on Kings' new-look frontline
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:08 am PST Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Circumstance can be quite the mediator.
Take Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the dueling power forwards who have had their share of tense moments in the past two seasons and one infamous fight long before then.
Since Kings center Brad Miller went down for at least a month on Nov. 4 (torn left foot tendon), Abdur-Rahim has been asked to fill his spot at center. And suddenly, it's the harmonious Thomas & Abdur-Rahim show in the paint. The combination has worked well thus far, with the Kings going 3-0 since the new duo was formed.
Kings coach Eric Musselman has been pleased to see his big men playing so nicely.
"I think they have great court chemistry together," he said. "The interior passing between the two, I think, has been really impressive."
There was, to recap, the in-game shouting match in a game against Seattle last April, and the training camp dust-up in early October that restarted the dialogue of their relationship. Then, of course, there is the root of the discussion, a Jan. 21, 2002, fist-flying melee that took place when Abdur-Rahim was with Atlanta and Thomas played for Houston and resulted in three-game suspensions and $15,000 fines for both players.
But the question of whether they are chummy enough to barbecue together away from the floor is only slightly relevant to the basketball objective. Musselman said he sees two players with the ability to get along.
"In the time that I've been here, I think they like each other," he said. "To me, the incident in practice happens all the time. There's been a lot more, when that curtain has been pulled, that happens when the guys are competing and playing hard."
History aside, the early returns on the pairing have been positive, with both players finding each other for open looks and the only fighting coming for rebounds. Thomas continues to defend well against some of the best power forwards in the game, while Abdur-Rahim is adjusting to life as a small-ball center, scoring when needed in the post.
"Me and Reef played together last year," Thomas said. "He brings the length, and he's a great post guy. He's been helping me on the boards. It's unfortunate that Brad's out, but he's stepped up."
For the record, both players wish their conflicts had all been in private, with neither the fan base nor the media watching. When asked whether the "feud" had been overblown, Thomas said simply, "Next question," before offering a brief stance.
"It never started," he said. "It never started again. Next question."
Abdur-Rahim said outside perceptions have magnified reality.
"I think it's probably more overblown, if you ask me," he said. "From the outside looking in, I could see what it is they would think it could be. But I don't have anything personally against him, and I don't think he has anything personally against me. He's my teammate, I pull for him, I want him to do well just like I want us to do well.
"I can understand it, with the history and the situation as far as us playing the same position. But nothing really happened that would make us personally not like each other. We're cool."
Past circumstance, it seems, was the instigator. When Thomas came from Philadelphia to Sacramento in a February 2005 trade, he had started for the majority of his previous five seasons. Abdur-Rahim, meanwhile, signed a $29.3 million deal during the offseason in 2005 with every intention of starting for all five seasons of the contract.
"Really, honestly, if we probably played two different positions, it would be nothing," Abdur-Rahim said. "I think because we play the same position, compete for the same minutes, and both of us want to be on the floor, then it's more something to talk about."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Forwards shelve feud, join forces
Thomas, Abdur-Rahim complement each other as starters on Kings' new-look frontline
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:08 am PST Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Circumstance can be quite the mediator.
Take Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the dueling power forwards who have had their share of tense moments in the past two seasons and one infamous fight long before then.
Since Kings center Brad Miller went down for at least a month on Nov. 4 (torn left foot tendon), Abdur-Rahim has been asked to fill his spot at center. And suddenly, it's the harmonious Thomas & Abdur-Rahim show in the paint. The combination has worked well thus far, with the Kings going 3-0 since the new duo was formed.
Kings coach Eric Musselman has been pleased to see his big men playing so nicely.
"I think they have great court chemistry together," he said. "The interior passing between the two, I think, has been really impressive."
There was, to recap, the in-game shouting match in a game against Seattle last April, and the training camp dust-up in early October that restarted the dialogue of their relationship. Then, of course, there is the root of the discussion, a Jan. 21, 2002, fist-flying melee that took place when Abdur-Rahim was with Atlanta and Thomas played for Houston and resulted in three-game suspensions and $15,000 fines for both players.
But the question of whether they are chummy enough to barbecue together away from the floor is only slightly relevant to the basketball objective. Musselman said he sees two players with the ability to get along.
"In the time that I've been here, I think they like each other," he said. "To me, the incident in practice happens all the time. There's been a lot more, when that curtain has been pulled, that happens when the guys are competing and playing hard."
History aside, the early returns on the pairing have been positive, with both players finding each other for open looks and the only fighting coming for rebounds. Thomas continues to defend well against some of the best power forwards in the game, while Abdur-Rahim is adjusting to life as a small-ball center, scoring when needed in the post.
"Me and Reef played together last year," Thomas said. "He brings the length, and he's a great post guy. He's been helping me on the boards. It's unfortunate that Brad's out, but he's stepped up."
For the record, both players wish their conflicts had all been in private, with neither the fan base nor the media watching. When asked whether the "feud" had been overblown, Thomas said simply, "Next question," before offering a brief stance.
"It never started," he said. "It never started again. Next question."
Abdur-Rahim said outside perceptions have magnified reality.
"I think it's probably more overblown, if you ask me," he said. "From the outside looking in, I could see what it is they would think it could be. But I don't have anything personally against him, and I don't think he has anything personally against me. He's my teammate, I pull for him, I want him to do well just like I want us to do well.
"I can understand it, with the history and the situation as far as us playing the same position. But nothing really happened that would make us personally not like each other. We're cool."
Past circumstance, it seems, was the instigator. When Thomas came from Philadelphia to Sacramento in a February 2005 trade, he had started for the majority of his previous five seasons. Abdur-Rahim, meanwhile, signed a $29.3 million deal during the offseason in 2005 with every intention of starting for all five seasons of the contract.
"Really, honestly, if we probably played two different positions, it would be nothing," Abdur-Rahim said. "I think because we play the same position, compete for the same minutes, and both of us want to be on the floor, then it's more something to talk about."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
) and i can see brad bring effective by hitting jumpshots from all over the court when coming off the bench!
