Comments on IT trade by PDA

[jcwkings]

It is an interesting possibility. He may have looked at a guy like Vivek Ranadive and thought that he could win him over with the off the court stuff. However, Vivek is a very successful businessman who has dealt with all types of people for most of his life. You're not going to pull the wool over his eyes with any kind of act

What a bunch of bs, so a guy cant help around the community without being called a poser putting up an act? A lot of these guys grew up with humble backgrounds and want to give back to less fortunate kids. Even the most ardent IT haters have to admit thats crossing the line.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

What a bunch of bs, so a guy cant help around the community without being called a poser putting up an act? A lot of these guys grew up with humble backgrounds and want to give back to less fortunate kids. Even the most ardent IT haters have to admit thats crossing the line.

He can do whatever he wants in Phoenix...where he's really wanted. I wish him all the best with this new chapter

 

[Warhawk]

We have no assets outside of Demarcus Cousins, we arent bad enough to get # 1 picks and we arent nearly good enough to make the playoffs, we look like an eternal 30-35 win team.

Actually, had we won what, 5 more games this year (including the loss to Cleveland), we would have been in the #1 spot for the draft.

 

[Chubbs]

Found this comment to be very interesting

(he is an ex Sports 1140 employee)

@JDJohnDickinson
Isaiah Thomas was a poser in Sacramento. Played up to community/fans in an attempt to get paid & start. Kings brass saw through act quickly
3:58 PM - 11 Jul 2014

I think there have long been two Isaiah's. Those of us against him, and I've been very clearly not in the IT camp, have long had this vibe that he's not as he appears. People have called it "bias". No, it's not just his size that goes into that perceived bias.

A lot of fans were fooled. There's the Isaiah in the pizza guy commercials, and then there's the one in interviews and the one on the court, and the one in the locker room. Fans want the pizza guy. Fans LOVE the pizza guy. The pizza guy was an act. The pizza guy didn't play basketball for the Sacramento kings, the pizza guy went to India. He made commercials. Deep down, I liked the pizza guy. He posted bible verses on twitter. Unfortunately, his true persona was as a locker room cancer and an on the court chemistry disrupter. Personally, I saw that too. I despised that and the act became what it was, an act. And it killed me that our announcers and some media ate it all up.

Thank goodness management saw through it.

I suspect behind closed doors a few kings expressed they didn't want to play another second with him. I'm positive one was JT. I suspect rudy and demarcus were there too. Those are the 3 I saw get into on court shouting matches with Isaiah, and JT in that interview seemed pretty clear he wasn't happy at his lack of touches. Marcus Thornton couldn't have loved him either. There was a reason he quit on the team. I was at the Charlotte game, and I specifically remember Isaiah screaming at Thornton all through a timeout and Thornton not even fighting back. How many kings players last year suddenly forgot how to play basketball? Thornton, JT, Landry to an extent. Isaiah gave up 30 to kemba walker that game. JT had 15 points, 14 rebounds. He had a dominant stretch to start the 2nd quarter all with Isaiah on the bench. Scored 10 points, and we actually briefly took the lead. Then Isaiah came in, Thompson disappeared, and we were down 65-52 at the half. http://espn.go.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=400489370&period=2

Bottomline, he got one offer, met with one team. And is signed to be a backup. He convinced many in local media he was much more than he was. Blinded by the stats and the pizza guy smile. But the rest of the league seemed to be a little smarter than that. I'm not at all convinced phx didn't overpay.

Edit: This is not to say I think the team will be dramatically better on the court without him and what we replaced him with, but it had to happen.

 

[Glenn]

I will never forget Jerry Reynolds saying on air that those who were critical of IT just didn't understand NBA basketball. I wonder if he will at least within his thought processes rethink that bold statement. People became a victim of the announcer's hype and why shouldn't we? The announcers are supposed to know more about basketball than us mere fans.

We have become a lazy people depending on the media to tell us what to think.




Edit: I wonder if Grant and Jerry talked with anyone from the FO. Perhaps if they did, the FO, any of them, kept their personal feelings/assessments to themselves. That probably is so because it wouldn't have been good PR if Grant or Jerry announced that someone, even PDA himself, was not that thrilled about IT's play. Certainly those two knew what some of the player's were thinking. There was enough on court to give a clue. The biggest moment for me, and yes it was only ONE moment, was when the clock was running down and Gay had the ball. IT sauntered over to Gay to get the ball and Gay refused to give it to him. If a player of outwardly appearing calmness publicly shows this unhappiness with IT, what about the others?

 

[sdballer]

I will never forget Jerry Reynolds saying on air that those who were critical of IT just didn't understand NBA basketball. I wonder if he will at least within his thought processes rethink that bold statement. People became a victim of the announcer's hype and why shouldn't we? The announcers are supposed to know more about basketball than us mere fans.

We have become a lazy people depending on the media to tell us what to think.

Jerry thinks we should have kept IT over gay

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I will never forget Jerry Reynolds saying on air that those who were critical of IT just didn't understand NBA basketball. I wonder if he will at least within his thought processes rethink that bold statement. People became a victim of the announcer's hype and why shouldn't we? The announcers are supposed to know more about basketball than us mere fans.

We have become a lazy people depending on the media to tell us what to think.

I realize that Jerry is basically a "promoter" for the Kings and will rarely if ever be critical of our players,...but I wonder if he really understands the intangible of team chimistry. It seems like he evaluates each player, just as an individual player and not really in the context of fit with our team

 

[The_Jamal]

It is an interesting possibility. He may have looked at a guy like Vivek Ranadive and thought that he could win him over with the off the court stuff. However, Vivek is a very successful businessman who has dealt with all types of people for most of his life. You're not going to pull the wool over his eyes with any kind of act

Give me a god damn break. This is what we've resorted to here?

To an extent, all off-court stuff that NBA players do is an image thing to fluff up their PR. But that doesn't mean it's all fake. No one questioned the Santa Cuz thing right?

I generally believe that IT wanted to resign here and had a vested interest in being in Sacramento long-term. We didn't feel the same way at all and basically told him to go take a hike since the season ended. What's infuriating is that if we felt that way, that why the hell we would basically broadcast to the world that we didn't want him from the get-go? We should have been releasing reports that we had every intention of resigning him and keeping him. Force teams who wanted him that they'd need to work a S&T with us for us to even consider letting IT walk. PHX knew we could not care less essentially and sent us a couple pennies for our trouble. PDA and crew gave away all their leverage by basically ignoring IT from the start of the off-season, so no teams had the incentive to work a S&T deal with us for some assets. Or we resign him with every intention of combining his $7mil salary with Landry or JT to bring in a bigger contract.

I was never a Tyreke or Thornton fan for how much they were signed for, but it's actually ridiculous how much of a talent hit our back-court has taken in a year. From IT/Reke/Thornton to Collison/Ben/Stauskas in one year. While IT/Reke/Thornton were mismatching parts, they were certainly 3 NBA starting caliber guards in the NBA and we weren't able to capitalize a real single asset from any of them

 

[King Baller]

Is IT that type of player though? I mean we spent this entire year trying to denigrate IT and portray him as a selfish, undersized chucker who freezes out star players for his own gain. Did we forget that suddenly? You think GM's are jumping over themselves to give away assets for players like that?

Actually I see it a little differently. "We" did not cause anything There are many basketball fans and observers on this site. All we did is recount what we were seeing from watching the games. IT and the Kings organization are responsible for actions that led to his portrayal as a "selfish undersized chucker who freezes out star players for his own gain." I would add that in my observations of IT that he was equal opportunity and would freeze out role players the same as star players.

But see the thing is I don't think IT did this overtly. Going one on one is IT's game and it is ideal for a sixth man role. I expect he will do well in that role for the Suns. I also cannot fault IT for using his situation with the Kings to improve his lot in life.

As for Pete's comments about running and gunning, lets hope that is just subterfuge.

 

[John Galt]

PDA can't catch a fair break here. Even the people who didn't particularly like IT are using the IT thing as a catalyst to rag on him some more about old mistakes.

PDA got rid of Hayes, Salmons, and Thornton. That alone is an accomplishment. Do do it while bringing back Gay, was a bold and successful move. Since acquiring Gay we have played very decent. Many on the league had given up on him as an inefficient scorer, and our basketball people saw through that and made a very nice score.

Gay costs a ton of money. Going into to the offseason some people were observing that it would be unlikely we could afford both Gay and IT.

Why not give Pete a break. He is in the process of a 3 year plan - so far he has dumped some of the ugliest players in Salmons, Hayes and Thornton.

I think most of you guys would be tearing him a BIGGER new one if he had tied up IT for the duration and money Phoenix paid... its like he can't win for losing.

I don't think "letting IT go for nothing" is a failure on PDA. It is better than bringing back a scrub with a contract.

I actually was mad that he didn't trade Ben & #8 for Rajon Rondo. But how crazy is that??? I don't have any knowledge that the deal was Pete's to make. And I think a lot of people are mad at PDA for not pulling triggers on deals that were never on the table.

I think PDA deserves a very solid C at least. You can say he blundered not matching Reke (although Vasquez was parlayed into Gay). You can say he blundered signing Landry (I believe that one raised eyebrows within the Kings org too, but isn't it really too early to pass judgment on it)? But on the plus side of the ledger, he jettisoned three guys who were wasting oxygen on the roster while being paid significant $ - Salmons, Hayes, and Thornton. And his Rudy Gay roll of the dice is looking good.

To me the pros and cons offset. A challenge for me is that I believe in his heart PDA wanted Peyton, yet Stauskas is looking like a wonderful draft pick. I don't know whether to give PDA credit if Stauskas is a solid hit. I think I will.

 

[Glenn]

Jerry thinks we should have kept IT over gay

Did he say that publicly? I know some on the forum are not thrilled with Gay so it wouldn't surprise me. I personally am thrilled with Gay. He's not perfect which may grate people given his salary but he is the guy I want to have the ball as the clock runs down.

Last year we had Cuz annointed by the FO as the team leader offensively and defensively (shock!) yet IT at times said that was his job. I am pretty sure IT thought he was the guy to have the ball as the clock ran down yet Gay is better. I think some of the stats guys can even demonstrate that. Now at a minimum those two conflicts are gone. I'll bet JT enjoys this season more than last.

 

[John Galt]

We should have been releasing reports that we had every intention of resigning him and keeping him. Force teams who wanted him that they'd need to work a S&T with us for us to even consider letting IT walk. PHX knew we could not care less essentially and sent us a couple pennies for our trouble. PDA and crew gave away all their leverage by basically ignoring IT from the start of the off-season, so no teams had the incentive to work a S&T deal with us for some assets. Or we resign him with every intention of combining his $7mil salary with Landry or JT to bring in a bigger contract.

What difference does it make if PDA does all that bluffing? Phoenix knew we would not pay the tax to match IT (nor should we) and constructed their offer accordingly. They didn't have to give us jack squat, no matter what kind of posturing PDA did.

And signing IT with the intent of packaging him in a later deal... did we learn nothing from Geoff's disastrous "moveable parts" plays? I'm glad PDA did NOT DO EXACTLY THAT. There is no guarantee that there is a "JT/Landry + IT for a big contract" deal out there. History suggests that those deals are rarely out there which is why I give PDA so much credit of striking while the iron was hot on Rudy Gay. They don't come along every day.

To me the evidence looks crystal clear on IT: In the end, there was one and only one team making IT a serious offer, and it was to be the third PG, for less than $8M. The demand IT's camp was trying to sell.... was just not there. Why assume somebody would leap at the chance to grab IT next year, when nobody grabbed him when he was there for the taking? Everyone is giving Phoenix all this credit for the "value steal" and is is such a crock of crap. If he's so great, doesn't that make Detroit stupid for not giving him the $8M to start? Shouldn't Riley have come running? Where were the Lakers in the end??? Those three teams whiffed worse than the Kings, because again - we were not gonna pay the tax, nor should we pay the tax. But the truth is that the Lakers, Pistons and Heat all know damn well that IT is not a starting PG in the NBA. They don't love him for what he is, a 5'9" score first PG. IT is the one who had his bluff called by Sac, LA, Det, and Miami.

Phoenix is going to be sorry as soon as IT starts sulking because the two tall PGs are getting all the minutes. Just wait.

 

[Glenn]

Give me a god damn break. This is what we've resorted to here?

To an extent, all off-court stuff that NBA players do is an image thing to fluff up their PR. But that doesn't mean it's all fake. No one questioned the Santa Cuz thing right?

I generally believe that IT wanted to resign here and had a vested interest in being in Sacramento long-term. We didn't feel the same way at all and basically told him to go take a hike since the season ended. What's infuriating is that if we felt that way, that why the hell we would basically broadcast to the world that we didn't want him from the get-go? We should have been releasing reports that we had every intention of resigning him and keeping him. Force teams who wanted him that they'd need to work a S&T with us for us to even consider letting IT walk. PHX knew we could not care less essentially and sent us a couple pennies for our trouble. PDA and crew gave away all their leverage by basically ignoring IT from the start of the off-season, so no teams had the incentive to work a S&T deal with us for some assets. Or we resign him with every intention of combining his $7mil salary with Landry or JT to bring in a bigger contract.

I was never a Tyreke or Thornton fan for how much they were signed for, but it's actually ridiculous how much of a talent hit our back-court has taken in a year. From IT/Reke/Thornton to Collison/Ben/Stauskas in one year. While IT/Reke/Thornton were mismatching parts, they were certainly 3 NBA starting caliber guards in the NBA and we weren't able to capitalize a real single asset from any of them

Never, never, never let a guy and his team know that you are unhappy with the particular player while he is still a team member. That's a chemistry killer. I agree that it's a bit much to think IT was sucking up to Vivek. I think IT is genuinely a nice and outgoing guy. I wouldn't twist that into something devious. I always thought a component of what I call "IT's selfishness" was a product of his lack of a lengthy and lucrative salary. He had no job security. We'll see how he plays and fits in with the burden of uncertainty removed from his shoulders.

Back to NASCAR and my storm to the front in the fantasy league. Lotsa sports on today.

 

[steelevt]

Really the attack in ITs character should stop. I've never really been an extremist on either of the pro IT camp or an IT hater. ( I'm a IT for 6th man super sub actually ) But accusing all the goodwill he's done for us during the relocation saga as some type if ploy or angle is just sad. He was a king at the time doing what us kings fans expect a king to do. Help with the fight to keep us here at council meetings or other events. Don't mar those actions with petty opinions. If you didn't think he fit player wise that's fine. If you think he's selfish on the court, ok. But seriously? Him going to support at the meetings or here we stayed event is just an act? Smh. be better than that.

 

[Glenn]

What difference does it make if PDA does all that bluffing? Phoenix knew we would not pay the tax to match IT (nor should we) and constructed their offer accordingly. They didn't have to give us jack squat, no matter what kind of posturing PDA did.

And signing IT with the intent of packaging him in a later deal... did we learn nothing from Geoff's disastrous "moveable parts" plays? I'm glad PDA did NOT DO EXACTLY THAT. There is no guarantee that there is a "JT/Landry + IT for a big contract" deal out there. History suggests that those deals are rarely out there which is why I give PDA so much credit of striking while the iron was hot on Rudy Gay. They don't come along every day.

To me the evidence looks crystal clear on IT: In the end, there was one and only one team making IT a serious offer, and it was to be the third PG, for less than $8M. The demand IT's camp was trying to sell.... was just not there. Why assume somebody would leap at the chance to grab IT next year, when nobody grabbed him when he was there for the taking? Everyone is giving Phoenix all this credit for the "value steal" and is is such a crock of crap. If he's so great, doesn't that make Detroit stupid for not giving him the $8M to start? Shouldn't Riley have come running? Where were the Lakers in the end??? Those three teams whiffed worse than the Kings, because again - we were not gonna pay the tax, nor should we pay the tax. But the truth is that the Lakers, Pistons and Heat all know damn well that IT is not a starting PG in the NBA. They don't love him for what he is, a 5'9" score first PG. IT is the one who had his bluff called by Sac, LA, Det, and Miami.

Phoenix is going to be sorry as soon as IT starts sulking because the two tall PGs are getting all the minutes. Just wait.

I don't want to start an argument with anyone but I don't know what other GMs think of this deal and I would be surprised if there wasn't criticism of Phoenix not simply for signing what some consider a sub par player (not me!) but for signing a third PG. As this is not a Suns' board, we can let that slide but I find it odd and if any team has another deal in mind, it is Phoenix and that will work to IT's advantage.

 

[Glenn]

Really the attack in ITs character should stop. I've never really been an extremist on either of the pro IT camp or an IT hater. ( I'm a IT for 6th man super sub actually ) But accusing all the goodwill he's done for us during the relocation saga as some type if ploy or angle is just sad. He was a king at the time doing what us kings fans expect a king to do. Help with the fight to keep us here at council meetings or other events. Don't mar those actions with petty opinions. If you didn't think he fit player wise that's fine. If you think he's selfish on the court, ok. But seriously? Him going to support at the meetings or here we stayed event is just an act? Smh. be better than that.

I agree 100%.

 

[Glenn]

I realize that Jerry is basically a "promoter" for the Kings and will rarely if ever be critical of our players,...but I wonder if he really understands the intangible of team chemistry. It seems like he evaluates each player, just as an individual player and not really in the context of fit with our team

This very well could be but it's shallow for a color commentator who I expect to add info more in depth than simply evaluating a player without including the context. IT taken out of context is a very, very good player.

 

[sidney]

The demand IT's camp was trying to sell.... was just not there. Why assume somebody would leap at the chance to grab IT next year, when nobody grabbed him when he was there for the taking? Everyone is giving Phoenix all this credit for the "value steal" and is is such a crock of crap. If he's so great, doesn't that make Detroit stupid for not giving him the $8M to start? Shouldn't Riley have come running? Where were the Lakers in the end??? Those three teams whiffed worse than the Kings, because again - we were not gonna pay the tax, nor should we pay the tax. But the truth is that the Lakers, Pistons and Heat all know damn well that IT is not a starting PG in the NBA. They don't love him for what he is, a 5'9" score first PG. IT is the one who had his bluff called by Sac, LA, Det, and Miami.

Well said. Cuban, Riley, Kupchak, and San Van Gundy all had cap space, had need at the PG spot, and all passed on IT. That says something

 

[rainmaker]

Found this comment to be very interesting

(he is an ex Sports 1140 employee)

@JDJohnDickinson
Isaiah Thomas was a poser in Sacramento. Played up to community/fans in an attempt to get paid & start. Kings brass saw through act quickly
3:58 PM - 11 Jul 2014

John Dickinson ‏@JDJohnDickinson Jul 11
@karymack Not fun to play w/has been written about (SacBee) & bad teammate stuff comes from my sources &asking after observing body language

Interesting if true. Dickinson does have sources. Not a random fan making this claim.

Everyone remember that game where IT was arguing with a few players, think VF brought it up, but then there was the player only meeting afterwards and there were rumors IT was a focus of that meeting. For a stretch after that meeting, IT was less selfish with the rock. That might have been where it turned south but for the most part guys kept the issues in-house. Those issues seemed to re-appear later however.

 

[Swaze]

It's embarrassing that people on this board would actually take a tweet by John Dickinson and run with it like it was gospel as if he had some kind of inside information. John Dickinson calling IT a "poser" should do absolutely nothing for anybody if you consider the source. He even says in a followup tweet that IT's perceived attachment "always seemed phony to me". He has no inside information and he made those tweets stating his opinion which he is of course entitled too.

John Dickinson is loudmouth "shock jock" type that hasn't worked for KHTK in 2+ years. He hasn't worked for KHTK since Vivek and the new regime took over so it's doubtful he has any sort of contact with them being in that he works for 95.7 The Game. Coincidentally 95.7 The Game is the same station that employs Ric Bucher and the same station that encourages their talent to have "shocking" and controversial on-air takes in order to garner attention. When John Dickinson used to do fill-in hosting for KHTK his shtick was always that of loudmouth who would have a controversial take to get people to pay attention to him and call the show.

Any of you that actually take his take opinion on Isaiah being a "poser" as some kind of inside information are being played for fools and it's disgusting that a guy can't even do charity work and help his team's community without being attacked for it. IT had his issues on the court and very well may have had some chemistry issues but to attack his work for the team and in the community is really low class stuff.

 

[peacelate]

How do you know what teams were offering IT? You don't' ! Many sources in the league have said he received offers from various sub .500 teams. If you follow IT you would know he made it clear he was not looking to move East. I'm tired of every one putting they words about what offers he got because they don't have a clue. Bottom line is he was our best shooter and we got nothing in return. Just go on a Phoenix forums.. They are laughing at us, and every article about the trade points to the tradition of bad management from the Kings. If we suck this year and Phoenix is winning..it will be clear that IT was not the problem. Hopefully this is not the cAse.

Do any of the league sources comment on what the Kings had on the table prior to the trade deadline? I'm sure PDA had an offer o nthe table to swap IT for a young, rising star and simply turned it down just because.

 

[Letsgokings13]

This gerbil thing really needs to stop.

It's old isn't it?

 

[Swaze]

It's old isn't it?

Agreed and as I have already said on same subject it indicates a lack of class. Those who continue to call Pete D'Alessandro "gerbil" over and over again are childish. You can dislike the man for the moves he's made (or has not made) but to continually insult him for his looks on a basketball forum in threads about basketball is just low brow juvenile stuff. Even if he does kind of look like a gerbil.

 

[Chubbs]

Isaiah's character is why he didn't get offers anywhere close to what we were led to believe was there. It wasn't the numbers.

It's fair game. I'm just saying I agree 1000% with Dickinson. That's long been my perception. Who am I? No one. Ignore me if you want. But there is a reason he didn't get much interest, either at the deadline or in free agency. I find it hard to believe it was the 20 and 6 holding him back. Dickinson whoever he is just confirms what was obvious.

Not sure why constant attacks on cousins character is ok but with IT it crosses a line. Anyone care to explain that?

 

[The_Jamal]

Isaiah's character is why he didn't get offers anywhere close to what we were led to believe was there. It wasn't the numbers.

It's fair game. I'm just saying I agree 1000% with Dickinson. That's long been my perception. Who am I? No one. Ignore me if you want. But there is a reason he didn't get much interest, either at the deadline or in free agency. I find it hard to believe it was the 20 and 6 holding him back.

Not sure why constant attacks on cousins character is ok but with IT it crosses a line. Anyone care to explain that?

Nope. It was the fact that all the people with money were at the mercy of waiting for Lebron, Melo, and Bosh to make a decision. IT would have been in that second tier of FA's that the people with money wanted. PHX, Miami, Dallas, etc were all interested in signing him. No coincidence they were all linked to the big boys as well. PHX smartly just got out of the Bron sweepstakes and beat the other teams to the punch.

Had IT waited another week, he would have had his pick from the LeBron/Melo/Bosh losers.

 

[Swaze]

Isaiah's character is why he didn't get offers anywhere close to what we were led to believe was there. It wasn't the numbers.

It's fair game. I'm just saying I agree 1000% with Dickinson. That's long been my perception. Who am I? No one. Ignore me if you want. But there is a reason he didn't get much interest, either at the deadline or in free agency. I find it hard to believe it was the 20 and 6 holding him back.

Not sure why constant attacks on cousins character is ok but with IT it crosses a line. Anyone care to explain that?

He crossed a line by going to city council meetings to support the team? He crossed the line by doing things for the community and for the team in India? That's one of the things that Dickinson is attacking him for when he calls him a poser.

The on court stuff is fair game and apparent for all of us to see. The locker room stuff while rumors is still fair game. When you start attacking a player for doing charity work and calling him a poser.....that's a scumbag move that only a lowlife would defend.

Honestly how can anyone feel good about themselves for trashing a guy for doing charity work?

 

[Chubbs]

He crossed a line by going to city council meetings to support the team? He crossed the line by doing things for the community and for the team in India? That's one of the things that Dickinson is attacking him for when he calls him a poser.

The on court stuff is fair game and apparent for all of us to see. The locker room stuff while rumors is still fair game. When you start attacking a player for doing charity work and calling him a poser.....that's such a scumbag move that only a lowlife would defend.

So now you're attacking my character by calling me a lowlife to defend my "attack" on ITs character. The irony is rich.

You're also completely twisting my words. I said I like the pizza guy. I like the charity guy, the guy who goes to India. It's just that guy didn't play for the kings on the court. There was a disconnect.

Perhaps I misspoke about agreeing with Dickinson. I think the charity stuff was sincere, it just didn't translate on the court. On the court he was selfish and only cared about himself. In my opinion.

 

[Glenn]

He crossed a line by going to city council meetings to support the team? He crossed the line by doing things for the community and for the team in India? That's one of the things that Dickinson is attacking him for when he calls him a poser.

The on court stuff is fair game and apparent for all of us to see. The locker room stuff while rumors is still fair game. When you start attacking a player for doing charity work and calling him a poser.....that's a scumbag move that only a lowlife would defend.

Honestly how can anyone feel good about themselves for trashing a guy for doing charity work?

Really? Honestly did someone attack IT for doing charity work? This line of conversation is getting stretched out a bit.

 

[Warhawk]

Nope. It was the fact that all the people with money were at the mercy of waiting for Lebron, Melo, and Bosh to make a decision. IT would have been in that second tier of FA's that the people with money wanted. PHX, Miami, Dallas, etc were all interested in signing him. No coincidence they were all linked to the big boys as well. PHX smartly just got out of the Bron sweepstakes and beat the other teams to the punch.

Had IT waited another week, he would have had his pick from the LeBron/Melo/Bosh losers.

Possibly, but not at the salary he was looking for. If you read IT's comments - it is all about IT. And I don't knock him for trying to get the biggest payday he can. He's earned it. But NOBODY was offering $8 mil+ for him. He jumped at the first offer he got from another team (at less than $7 mil per). All indications are he wore out his welcome here and was looking to move on.

 

[Swaze]

So now you're attacking my character by calling me a lowlife to defend my "attack" on ITs character. The irony is rich.

You're also completely twisting my words. I said I like the pizza guy. I like the charity guy, the guy who goes to India. It's just that guy didn't play for the kings on the court. There was a disconnect.

Perhaps I misspoke about agreeing with Dickinson. I think the charity stuff was sincere, it just didn't translate on the court. On the court he was selfish and only cared about himself. In my opinion.

I think we're crossed up. And agree with what you are saying. Dickinson had two takes on Thomas, one about the basketball lockeroom stuff and that's fine to agree with him on that. It's matter of opinion but nothing wrong with attacking a guy for his basketball related work.

Dickinson also called Thomas a "poser" for the community work and work for the team that Thomas did, that's where the problem is.