Being serious, whats deal with KT

R

reid1boys

G-League
People can smack on him all they want, but I have not heard any negative comments come out of KT in the past 3 years that he has been screwed over by kings coaches. Is he an all star? No, but the guy does have something to offer, especially a weak arse team like we had last season.

So what has he done to get the wrath of the previous 2 coaches? And no matter what, the guy just seems to do what they tell him. Sit for 75 games Kenny. He sits and says nothing. No bit..., no complaining, no disruptive force in the locker room. The last year out of nowhere, he got some big minutes and played VERY well in like.... 1 game. Then back to the bench.

This year, off to same start, and he gets put in and had a decent stint in the game.

So what is the deal here? Is it his fault he has a good contract? Is it his fault that the kings traded for him? He doesnt complain, he doesnt start conflict, so why all the bashing? Seriously.

No if you had someone like Marbury making that big contract and then being a litle whiner and causing problems, fine. But what has KT done besides do what he is asked to do?
 
Probably becasue KT was whiny and grumpy at first. I will say that he has been a good little trooper since last season, even though you know he has to want to play. No complaints or whining at all.

He was interviewed on the radio the other night and he's happy with Westphal and is willing to do what ever the coach asks him to do, whether its some minutes off the bench or not at all. He seems to think he'll get some minutes here and there, depending on matchups and especially depending on foul problems with the other bigs. He's sounded very supportive of the young players and hopes he can pass helpful information to them.
 
We know how good, or bad, he can be. He isnt going to get any better, and thats why I dont want him to see any minutes.

Sean May has room to grow .. Brockman has room, Donte Greene .. ect. We are wasting time with him on the floor, and I dont see how some fans dont realize this.

The one circumstance where Im OK with him playing is if its to send a message to a young player that he isnt giving the EFFORT he needs to. Not that KT is better, but that the EFFORT isnt there. As long as a young player is playing hard, he should be getting minutes before any of the vets.
 
I think there's also a natural inclination to think about things like how many good players that could really help our roster are available for less than what KT makes. We can't blame him for accepting a bloated contract, or for Geoff taking it on, but we can resent that it's a giant albatross around the team's collective neck.
 
Kenny Thomas in a way personifies everything that is wrong with Kings organisation in the last 3-4 years.
 
fnordius said:
I think there's also a natural inclination to think about things like how many good players that could really help our roster are available for less than what KT makes. We can't blame him for accepting a bloated contract, or for Geoff taking it on, but we can resent that it's a giant albatross around the team's collective neck.
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Somebody needs to start a Kenny Thomas contract clock until that thing is finally done.
 
I think he hasn't played because he sucks. When he first came here, he could actually hit a 15 foot jumper. He could finish layups. Over the next few seasons, he transformed into a player who lost all offensive ability. He couldn't shoot. He couldn't finish a layup to SAVE HIS LIFE. I mean, seriously, you think JT's finishing is bad? I'll upload some games because he was downright supernatural with his ability to miss buckets. He may be a good defender, and a solid rebounder, but those two things can be found in other areas, and frankly, he can't do anything that other guys can do who are on this team.
 
Showtime said:
I think he hasn't played because he sucks. When he first came here, he could actually hit a 15 foot jumper. He could finish layups. Over the next few seasons, he transformed into a player who lost all offensive ability. He couldn't shoot. He couldn't finish a layup to SAVE HIS LIFE. I mean, seriously, you think JT's finishing is bad? I'll upload some games because he was downright supernatural with his ability to miss buckets. He may be a good defender, and a solid rebounder, but those two things can be found in other areas, and frankly, he can't do anything that other guys can do who are on this team.
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This is the right answer. He was an undersized PF who got by on athleticism...he's lost a step, and forgotten how to shoot. Unless you think he's a well above average defender, every statistical measure would call him one of the worst players in the league.
 
All that is fine and dandy, but dont treat the man like a piece of crap because he isnt an all star, because he is undersized for PF, or (fill in blank.)

IMO, he has acted as a true professional through all of this. And for those of you that say he has lost this or that, how the heck would you know? he hasnt really touched the court in 3 years...... but when he is asked to, he gets out there and plays pretty darn decent.

I have nothing but respect for KT. 99% of the NBA players that were placed in his position would not have handled it half as well as he has.
 
you are giving him WAY too much credit. He doesn't complain because he is collecting more money in one season most of us will collect in a lifetime, and he is doing so SITTING. Handled it as well as he has? handled what? This is not a HOF forced to sit on the bench. he's not even a damn all star. he's an overpaid scrub that CAN'T PLAY. he cannot contribute. why is this even a thread?
 
Oprostaj said:
you are giving him WAY too much credit. He doesn't complain because he is collecting more money in one season most of us will collect in a lifetime, and he is doing so SITTING. Handled it as well as he has? handled what? This is not a HOF forced to sit on the bench. he's not even a damn all star. he's an overpaid scrub that CAN'T PLAY. he cannot contribute. why is this even a thread?
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I'm glad someone started this thread. You can argue about the pros and cons of playing the young guys vs. playing vets, you can argue about who does and does not deserve the money they are making. But give me a break that he "CAN'T PLAY". You don't think that if Kenny was playing 30 minutes a night his shot would be a lot better, and he could contribute more. I'd like to see ANY player on the Kings sit for 2 seasons, and then come in and see how good their offensive skills are.

There isn't a player in this league that isn't making too much money. And everyone loves to forget that we may still have Kenny's contract now, but we've avoided 3 more YEARS of Webber making nearly $20 million a year.

When Kenny comes into a game, sucks it up and blows the game, criticize all you want. But when he comes in, contributes the way he did, and has the head coach saying "We wouldn't have won the game without him", I agree, let's stay away from the player bashing.

(On a side note, I love how the trigger happy, censoring moderators on this board love to turn a blind eye to the "no player bashing allowed" rule when it involves Kenny Thomas).
 
I'm not much of a guru when it comes to contracts and all that. But does Kenny's expiring contract make him a good trade candidate this year?
 
keflanag said:
I'm glad someone started this thread. You can argue about the pros and cons of playing the young guys vs. playing vets, you can argue about who does and does not deserve the money they are making. But give me a break that he "CAN'T PLAY". You don't think that if Kenny was playing 30 minutes a night his shot would be a lot better, and he could contribute more. I'd like to see ANY player on the Kings sit for 2 seasons, and then come in and see how good their offensive skills are.

There isn't a player in this league that isn't making too much money. And everyone loves to forget that we may still have Kenny's contract now, but we've avoided 3 more YEARS of Webber making nearly $20 million a year.

When Kenny comes into a game, sucks it up and blows the game, criticize all you want. But when he comes in, contributes the way he did, and has the head coach saying "We wouldn't have won the game without him", I agree, let's stay away from the player bashing.

(On a side note, I love how the trigger happy, censoring moderators on this board love to turn a blind eye to the "no player bashing allowed" rule when it involves Kenny Thomas).
Click to expand...

And I love how some people would rather take a potshot at the mods instead of using the established procedure of the "refer a post" if you think something has stepped over the line.

I agreed with the rest of your post, BTW. If you read my latest blog, you'll see that I don't bash Kenny and actually say he didn't suck to refute the obvious bashing.

KT has not been the total angel during his time here. He did try and force the issue about starting, and he made it pretty clear he wasn't happy. Fans are fickle - he wasn't happy being here so we returned the favor.

This season, however, KT has done everything he's been asked to do and he's been doing it without any kind of attitude or problems at all. And BTW? Just because you don't see an action take place publicly by the moderators doesn't mean something hasn't been done.
 
ESP47 said:
I'm not much of a guru when it comes to contracts and all that. But does Kenny's expiring contract make him a good trade candidate this year?
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Yep. His expiring contract can be a very valuable commodity or it can help take $10 million off the books just before the 2010 free agency fun begins.
 
keflanag said:
(On a side note, I love how the trigger happy, censoring moderators on this board love to turn a blind eye to the "no player bashing allowed" rule when it involves Kenny Thomas).
Click to expand...

Kenny Thomas is not a player, he's a plague. Think he fits in right after locusts. :p
 
Plain and simple...Kenny Thomas wins ballgames guys.

He may have had some bad days, but don't we all? In fact KT was the one who once said "turn that frown upside down" to an angry Mikki Moore.
 
keflanag said:
I'm glad someone started this thread. You can argue about the pros and cons of playing the young guys vs. playing vets, you can argue about who does and does not deserve the money they are making. But give me a break that he "CAN'T PLAY". You don't think that if Kenny was playing 30 minutes a night his shot would be a lot better, and he could contribute more. I'd like to see ANY player on the Kings sit for 2 seasons, and then come in and see how good their offensive skills are.
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You're getting it mixed up. He doesn't stink because he doesn't play. He doesn't play because he stinks.

The last time he played a lot (06-07) he was a well below average player. The next year he was completely kaput...he played in only 23 games, but during those 23 games he was maybe the worst player in the NBA. That's not hyperbole. He was below average rebounding (his strength), but also a terrible shooter who turned the ball over like crazy.

So he's effectively played himself out of any usefulness. Why we're playing him now I don't know, but anyone defending his professionalism or whatever can save it.
 
hammystyle said:
You're getting it mixed up. He doesn't stink because he doesn't play. He doesn't play because he stinks.

The last time he played a lot (06-07) he was a well below average player. The next year he was completely kaput...he played in only 23 games, but during those 23 games he was maybe the worst player in the NBA. That's not hyperbole. He was below average rebounding (his strength), but also a terrible shooter who turned the ball over like crazy.

So he's effectively played himself out of any usefulness. Why we're playing him now I don't know, but anyone defending his professionalism or whatever can save it.
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It doesn't change the fact that he is the best backup PF we have on the team. Is he great? No. Am I happy that he is the best backup PF on the team? No. But until he is traded, which I would be willing to bet happens this year, I think he deserves his minutes as long as it's not hurting the continued development of Thompson and Hawes. Since they can't play 48 minutes, I have no problem with Kenny getting 15 minutes a game as long as he comes in with the attitude, defense, and rebounding I've seen so far.
 
keflanag said:
I'm glad someone started this thread. You can argue about the pros and cons of playing the young guys vs. playing vets, you can argue about who does and does not deserve the money they are making. But give me a break that he "CAN'T PLAY". You don't think that if Kenny was playing 30 minutes a night his shot would be a lot better, and he could contribute more. I'd like to see ANY player on the Kings sit for 2 seasons, and then come in and see how good their offensive skills are.

There isn't a player in this league that isn't making too much money. And everyone loves to forget that we may still have Kenny's contract now, but we've avoided 3 more YEARS of Webber making nearly $20 million a year.

When Kenny comes into a game, sucks it up and blows the game, criticize all you want. But when he comes in, contributes the way he did, and has the head coach saying "We wouldn't have won the game without him", I agree, let's stay away from the player bashing.

(On a side note, I love how the trigger happy, censoring moderators on this board love to turn a blind eye to the "no player bashing allowed" rule when it involves Kenny Thomas).
Click to expand...


Player bashing? It's criticism, and it's well deserved. I don't care how he got his contract, it's supposed to be an indicative (sp?) value of his ability. The guy was a cancer, an albatross and suddenly turns into an angel? Might it have something to do with his next paycheck? Two years ago majority of this board would have gladly kicked him out the door. This guy's only motivation is his next paycheck. He has not proven otherwise. He's sucked for years, and 5 games of a player behaving how he is SUPPOSED TO will not all of a sudden absolve him for just being a terrible basketball player. This is not player bashing. This is reality.

VF, I'd also appreciate it if you'd respond to my PM please.
 
keflanag said:
It doesn't change the fact that he is the best backup PF we have on the team.
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He is? Says who? Based off what? May and Brockman havent' been that great, but they are much likely better. As are small ball lineups with Nocioni or Casspi.

Dude, he's terrible. I don't hate him, I don't blame him for his contract, but he's just terrible and that's that. Desmond Mason is similarly terrible and I don't know why we play him either. Donte Greene is probably the worst, but we haven't played him much, and he's an intriguing young guy so thats ok.

Frankly I don't really care if Thomas plays, since he's only taking minutes from marginal guys like May and Brockman. I just find it (amusingly) offensive that people defend Kenny Thomas' basketball ability.
 
Oprostaj said:
Player bashing? It's criticism, and it's well deserved. I don't care how he got his contract, it's supposed to be an indicative (sp?) value of his ability. The guy was a cancer, an albatross and suddenly turns into an angel? Might it have something to do with his next paycheck? Two years ago majority of this board would have gladly kicked him out the door. This guy's only motivation is his next paycheck. He has not proven otherwise. He's sucked for years, and 5 games of a player behaving how he is SUPPOSED TO will not all of a sudden absolve him for just being a terrible basketball player. This is not player bashing. This is reality.
Click to expand...

I love how end your post with "This is reality" even though your entire post is basically full of some fantasy world where players' salaries are directly tied to their current performance, and the rest of your post is full of your opinion about what does and does not motivate Kenny.

If you want to talk about reality, let's look at it. The year Webber was traded, Kenny Thomas was a HUGE value to the team. I recall many posts of "Webber who?" because of how well he played. He didn't "suck"

The following year is the ONLY time there was any talk of Kenny having an attitude problem. That was due to him wanting to start. I don't defend that, and I too was not happy with his attitude. They also made the playoffs that year. He didn't "suck".

If I recall correctly, the following year Kenny had a pretty serious shoulder injury that coincided with him no longer being able to hit any outside shots. But he still rebounded and defended decently.

Since that point in time, we have had Musselman, Theus, & Knatt as coaches. Why does he get ZERO minutes those years? It could be because of these coaches, what was seen in practice, a desire to play younger guys and develop them, to pee him off and hope he and his agent propose a buyout. I don't know. NO ONE on this board knows.

What has been clear to me over the last 3 years is that Kenny Thomas can at least positively contribute, to this team. I'm not saying he can turn around this team, or is a great player. But he does not "suck" so bad that he should sit on the bench for 48 minutes a game. Until you have a better option coming off the bench, he should get some minutes. Since 2006, the "better" options have been (Mikki, Sheldon, and some sad attempts to play SFs at that position).

All I'm saying, is that everyone's bitterness about the downfall of the Kings that should be blamed on coaches, the GM, the owners, the fans, fate, bad luck ... whoever or whatever you want to blame it on ... seems to fall on Kenny Thomas. And it is not deserved.
 
hammystyle said:
He is? Says who? Based off what? May and Brockman havent' been that great, but they are much likely better. As are small ball lineups with Nocioni or Casspi.

Dude, he's terrible. I don't hate him, I don't blame him for his contract, but he's just terrible and that's that. Desmond Mason is similarly terrible and I don't know why we play him either. Donte Greene is probably the worst, but we haven't played him much, and he's an intriguing young guy so thats ok.

Frankly I don't really care if Thomas plays, since he's only taking minutes from marginal guys like May and Brockman. I just find it (amusingly) offensive that people defend Kenny Thomas' basketball ability.
Click to expand...

I have no problem with Brockman getting minutes. I think he and Kenny are pretty even right now with what they offer. And I'll always give the minutes to the younger player of two who are playing equally. Brockman is also undersized, and his problem (and what I believe is limiting his minutes) is his foot speed on defense.

But Sean May? He's shown very little promise. He hasn't been rebounding, and his post defense has been horrible.

Kenny Thomas at this point in his career is an "average" basketball player. It shouldn't be "amusing" to defend him by saying he's average. That's not that good. But for this team ... that means you should get a few minutes.
 
I'd be curious to count how many sarcastic "Kenny is awesome" threads have been started over the past 2-3 years after he has had very good stints in games. And then compare that to how many games he's played in those years that he played very poorly in. I bet he's contributed positively more often than not.
 
keflanag said:
All I'm saying, is that everyone's bitterness about the downfall of the Kings that should be blamed on coaches, the GM, the owners, the fans, fate, bad luck ... whoever or whatever you want to blame it on ... seems to fall on Kenny Thomas. And it is not deserved.
Click to expand...


i dont think that its kenny thomas, its the fact that we still have kenny thomas... you should look at the archives, when he first got here people loved him. they wanted him to play sf and thought that he could be 6th man of the year when we got rahim... he's our 2nd longest tenured king after martin. he shouldnt still be on this team... he was traded for as a movable piece(i love that term, petrie knocked it out of the park with that one) not our 2nd highest paid but least played player.

he's been here so long that his contract was from the previous cba... when we traded webber for kenny, g.w. bush had just given his inaugural address to begin his 2nd term a month before the trade. by the time he is gone, obama wouldve been president for over a year....
 
eeeewwwwww. I think that I got some of the KT love that is oozing out of this thread on me. Yuck!

Come on, the Kings are a young, developing team. The only reason at all to give KT any time (aside from taking away minutes from youth due to lack of effort) is too showcase his trade value. He does not suck and he can play, he just is of no value to this team with or without his jumbo jet paycheck.
 
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