http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/123313.html
Thomas faces endurance test
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:13 am PST Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HOUSTON -- Kenny Thomas' return to the Kings' lineup came with an immediate two-part test of his physical condition.
The first came in Tuesday night's game against the physical Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets. Part Two will be tonight's game against New Orleans in Oklahoma City for a back-to-back that will gauge his endurance.
Of course, the heavy workload might aggravate the strained lower back that kept Thomas out of Sunday's loss to Seattle at Arco Arena.
But he said Tuesday he felt "a lot better" than he did last weekend, an improvement so noticeable that he faced the Rockets without time restrictions. The only concession to what can be a delicate injury was his skipping Tuesday morning's shootaround, a minor development and a precautionary move.
"If he's ready to go, he's ready to go," coach Eric Musselman said. "I think it's more on Kenny (to speak up if the problem returns). He's going to have to tell us."
Thomas' return is important with the perspective of the Kings' schedule: The Rockets were ranked sixth and the Hornets fifth in the league in rebounding. The Kings would need all the inside help they could get.
"The big question," Thomas said, "is how it's going to be after this -- the back-to-back."
He at least gets the benefit of the schedule at the right time. The All-Star break follows tonight's game, giving the Kings five days off before they face Boston at Arco.
Close shave -- Jerry Reynolds, the Kings' director of player personnel and TV analyst, will keep his hair. For now.
Reynolds said during a broadcast he would get a Mohawk if the Kings won seven consecutive games. They reached five, then lost to Seattle on Sunday.
"Now that it's over, at least for a while, I thought, I sure didn't want to get a Mohawk, but hair's easier to grow back than wins are to get," he said. "I could have lived with a Mohawk for seven straight wins."
The deal remains, though.
"I said a seven-game winning streak," Reynolds said. "So anytime this season, that would still apply."
Reaching new heights -- With 7-foot-6 Yao Ming (fractured leg) and the 7-2 Mutombo already on the roster, and Yao projecting his return in early to mid-March, the Rockets acquired 7-2 Jake Tsakalidis from the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Scott Padgett in a swap of seldom-used players.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
Thomas faces endurance test
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:13 am PST Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HOUSTON -- Kenny Thomas' return to the Kings' lineup came with an immediate two-part test of his physical condition.
The first came in Tuesday night's game against the physical Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets. Part Two will be tonight's game against New Orleans in Oklahoma City for a back-to-back that will gauge his endurance.
Of course, the heavy workload might aggravate the strained lower back that kept Thomas out of Sunday's loss to Seattle at Arco Arena.
But he said Tuesday he felt "a lot better" than he did last weekend, an improvement so noticeable that he faced the Rockets without time restrictions. The only concession to what can be a delicate injury was his skipping Tuesday morning's shootaround, a minor development and a precautionary move.
"If he's ready to go, he's ready to go," coach Eric Musselman said. "I think it's more on Kenny (to speak up if the problem returns). He's going to have to tell us."
Thomas' return is important with the perspective of the Kings' schedule: The Rockets were ranked sixth and the Hornets fifth in the league in rebounding. The Kings would need all the inside help they could get.
"The big question," Thomas said, "is how it's going to be after this -- the back-to-back."
He at least gets the benefit of the schedule at the right time. The All-Star break follows tonight's game, giving the Kings five days off before they face Boston at Arco.
Close shave -- Jerry Reynolds, the Kings' director of player personnel and TV analyst, will keep his hair. For now.
Reynolds said during a broadcast he would get a Mohawk if the Kings won seven consecutive games. They reached five, then lost to Seattle on Sunday.
"Now that it's over, at least for a while, I thought, I sure didn't want to get a Mohawk, but hair's easier to grow back than wins are to get," he said. "I could have lived with a Mohawk for seven straight wins."
The deal remains, though.
"I said a seven-game winning streak," Reynolds said. "So anytime this season, that would still apply."
Reaching new heights -- With 7-foot-6 Yao Ming (fractured leg) and the 7-2 Mutombo already on the roster, and Yao projecting his return in early to mid-March, the Rockets acquired 7-2 Jake Tsakalidis from the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Scott Padgett in a swap of seldom-used players.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
