Kings notes: Thomas speaks up, for starters

[LMM]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12583716p-13438230c.html

Kings notes: Thomas speaks up, for starters



By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, March 18, 2005

Three weeks in, and Kings small forward Kenny Thomas is already the team leader in at least one category: being candid.


Asked upon arrival about the difference playing in Philadelphia and Sacramento, he stated frankly, "I'm kind of used to one person dribbling around all the time," in regard to former teammate Allen Iverson.



Then asked earlier this week whether he's content coming off the bench while Darius Songaila starts, Thomas blurted "No" without hesitation.

New targets of his honest appraisals could emerge before the regular season is out. Such is the anything-is-possible state of the Kings, where coach Rick Adelman continues to reassess his squad on a nightly basis.

Though Thomas - who started 43 games for the 76ers this season - has started just once in 10 games with Sacramento, Adelman said he could see a potential role reversal. Songaila is neutral on the matter of starting, comfortable in the reserve role he's filled for much of the past two seasons but more than willing to start.

"Right now, I'm playing Darius because he's so much more comfortable with the things we can do and the adjustments we can make," Adelman said before the Kings played at Golden State on Thursday night. "I don't know which is the best way to go. Starting Kenny might be better, and having Darius come off the bench. We'll just have to play that out. I don't see any reason to change that right now because they've both been playing pretty good, but we could change that in the future for sure."

Since the Chris Webber trade that brought Thomas to town, Songaila is averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes, while Thomas is scoring 12.1 points and grabbing 8.2 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game

"It's kind of a weird situation," Songaila said. "I think the things that you get used to are the things that you like, and last year it was coming off the bench and this year it's the same. I understand where Kenny's coming from. He's used to starting. I understand that.

"It takes time to get used to things like that. I haven't thought about, 'Oh, I'm a starter or I want to be a starter.' With everything going on, we're just trying to win as many games as we can right now."

700 club - As achievements go, context is everything for Adelman.

So with his next coaching milestone of 700 wins two wins away, merely getting there won't be enough. Getting there quickly will. "When you get close to that, you want to get it done," Adelman said. "It won't mean as much to me unless we do it quick. But it does mean something. It means I've been in good situations. Anybody who says you don't appreciate it is nuts."

 

[iheartBrad]

thx for posting LMM

 

[Heuge]

I don't like it when players whine about not starting, even when asked.

 

[LMM]

^ me too. he is playing well, and you could say that he deserves to start, but i don't know. i'm thinking the coach would know what he's doing. he is averaging more minutes than darius anyway.

just keep playing hard, thomas.

 

[Diehard Jim]

I don't take it as whining, I take it as he wants to start!

The best player at the position is usually the one starting. To me having a player that wants to start and is not satisfied with not starting shows he wants to prove he is the best at his position.

They asked him a question and he awnsered it, when is that considered whining?

No if he brought it up I would say he is a whiner, but this guy has the ability to put up the same numbers that chris was putting up (except the assists and # of shots) with less focus on him in the offense.

I would rather see adleman starting kenny and bringing in songalia, but that is just me.

 

[Bricklayer]

No if he brought it up I would say he is a whiner, but this guy has the ability to put up the same numbers that chris was putting up (except the assists and # of shots) with less focus on him in the offense.

Yeah right. KT, little known 20-10 player in the NBA.

Should be starting though. Just should not, especially now, be making any fuss about it. Not sure how you can be a journeyman, come to a team of our caliber, and immediately be upset that you're not a starter. I did not mind him answering the question, but it did raise an eyebrow for me -- in the current chaotic situation for ANYBODY to say ANYTHING just seemed odd.

 

[LMM]

true, he wasn't really whining, but i guess i would just prefer the "i would do anything to help the team win. it doesn't matter if i start or not, i'll do what the coach asks me to." answer.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

The double standards amongst this fan base is sad.

 

[Diehard Jim]

Brick,
I don't see it as he is making a fuss, they asked him if he was content and he said no. Now we all know there can be some creative writing on the part of the journalist to make something out of nothing.
I have not heard anything else from KT about this except when he first came over and said he would like to start.
I think your just looking to far into the context of him saying he was not content.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Big difference between Kenny Thomass and a Tony Massenburg. Kenny brings the goods. I like his fire, he may get into some trouble engaging his mouth ahead of his brain, but he obviously likes the system, is playing well and wants to win... I'll take it.

 

[Kev.in]

Kenny knows he should be starting, Darius knows it, Adelman knows it too. It should've already been happening and journalists shouldn't even have to ask a guy who's getting 12 and 8 if he thinks he's playing well enough to start over a man who's getting 8 and 4 a game.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

I can not believe some you are implying Kenny is whining. Man was asked a question and he answered it like a man, honestly. He brings it every night and he wants to start...what's wrong with that?

It's funny how when ex-Kings players spoke their mind they got praised but Kenny is being scolded.

 

[Bricklayer]

I can not believe some you are implying Kenny is whining. Man was asked a question and he answered it like a man, honestly. He brings it every night and he wants to start...what's wrong with that?

It's funny how when ex-Kings players spoke their mind they got praised but Kenny is being scolded.

Kenny has not earned his stripes. Simple as that. When you're a borderline player you don't walk onto a brand new team, not even know the plays yet, and say something about not starting. Particularly when that team is struggling to find itself and cannot afford personal agendas from secondary players.

This is probably much ado about nothing. But it still raises the littlest of flags. There are a whole variety of pat answers to that question along the lines of "well, I think that I've been playing well enough to start, but that's up to the coach to decide who can give us the best shot to win." Just call it a minor violation of the good soldier code, and as long as there's nothing really behind it in practice or the locker room, no big deal.

 

[C Diddy]

Personally, I think some of you are reading too much into what Kenny said. He's a starter. Whether or not he is better then Songaila is moot. A starter is accustomed to starting. A starter is not content with not starting. When they asked him if he was content with not starting, he answered "No." He didn't say, "No and the kid from Wake sucks." He didn't say, "Chris Webber who? I'm the man, start me." He just said "No." He's not content not starting. Plain and straightforward. Doesn't seem to me that he was whining or trying to start something within the team. He just isn't content to not start. Unless his play changes because of his reduced role, I wouldn't read anymore into this then what he plainly said.

 

[Bricklayer]

Personally, I think some of you are reading too much into what Kenny said. He's a starter. Whether or not he is better then Songaila is moot. A starter is accustomed to starting. A starter is not content with not starting. When they asked him if he was content with starting, he answered "No." He didn't say, "No and the kid from Wake sucks." He didn't say, "Chris Webber who? I'm the man, start me." He just said "No." He's not content not starting. Plain and straightforward. Doesn't seem to me that he was whining or trying to start something within the team. He just isn't content to not start. Unless his play changes because of his reduced role, I wouldn't read anymore into this then what he plainly said.

While I don't consider this any sort of major deal and think we have a lot bigger problems to worry about, I should just note that Kenny Thomas has barely started half of his career games and more or less occupies a permanent halfway house between low minute starter or high minute reserve -- he's like a 5th starter in baseball. This is hardly some career-long starter who simply cannot fathom or deal with coming off the bench.

 

[C Diddy]

While I don't consider this any sort of major deal and think we have a lot bigger problems to worry about, I should just note that Kenny Thomas has barely started half of his career games and more or less occupies a permanent halfway house between low minute starter or high minute reserve -- he's like a 5th starter in baseball. This is hardly some career-long starter who simply cannot fathom or deal with coming off the bench.

At this point, I think we are arguing semantics. Sure he can fathom and deal with not starting, and he didn't say otherwise. He hasn't been a career long starter sure, but he has started the last 2 seasons for Philly. I just think that he didn't say anything at all that even would lead to discussion. He just replied "No." The reporter can spin it however they want that he blurted it out without hesitation or whatever but we all know that the media does stuff like that to build controversy and sell newspapers and magazines. For all we know, when asked a yes-or-no question, he responded no.

 

[Diehard Jim]

kenny thomas has started 67% of his career games he has played, but since his 2nd season in the nba he has started 85% of the games he has played. so for the last 4 years he has basically been a starter.

I do not think there are any egos at issue here, just a guy who wants to start!

 

[Heuge]

I can not believe some you are implying Kenny is whining. Man was asked a question and he answered it like a man, honestly. He brings it every night and he wants to start...what's wrong with that?

It's funny how when ex-Kings players spoke their mind they got praised but Kenny is being scolded.

Did he really need to tell the media the answer to that question?...No....Saying you need to start to the media (even when asked) is whining. Bring it up with the coach, prove it with your play, and it will happen. If it doesn't, keep bugging the coach, wait till your contract is up or the coach is gone. Bottom line, brining in house matters to the public, whether you initiated it or not is whining. Shutup and play.

As for the ex-King, which we can assume is Webber. He rarely got praised on this board and by me when he openned his mouth. He shouldn't have whined publically about minutes either. There is no double- standard here.

 

[C Diddy]

Did he really need to tell the media the answer to that question?...No....Saying you need to start to the media (even when asked) is whining. Bring it up with the coach, prove it with your play, and it will happen. If it doesn't, keep bugging the coach, wait till your contract is up or the coach is gone. Bottom line, brining in house matters to the public, whether you initiated it or not is whining. Shutup and play.

As for the ex-King, which we can assume is Webber. He rarely got praised on this board and by me when he openned his mouth. He shouldn't have whined publically about minutes either. There is no double- standard here.

What constitutes whining anymore? If a two-letter response is "whining", then what answer could he have responded with that wasn't whining and still answered the question appropriately? It was a yes or no question. A yes or no question deserves a yes or no answer. Sure he could of said, "No comment." But is that worse or better then simply saying "No."?

 

[Heuge]

What constitutes whining anymore? If a two-letter response is "whining", then what answer could he have responded with that wasn't whining and still answered the question appropriately? It was a yes or no question. A yes or no question deserves a yes or no answer. Sure he could of said, "No comment." But is that worse or better then simply saying "No."?

How about, "I don't decide who starts the coach does, but if asked to start I am ready."

I don't like his answer and I think it is whining. It is not that big of a deal.

 

[iheartBrad]

true, he wasn't really whining, but i guess i would just prefer the "i would do anything to help the team win. it doesn't matter if i start or not, i'll do what the coach asks me to." answer.

I believe there was a time a week or two ago...that when he was asked came out with that response...::shrugs::

I don't care either way...should be starting prolly...but I do at the same time like him coming off the bench...so for once when the second unit comes in you can really count on them be able to score...but like i said im not crying either way...

and for the record i personally don't think he was "whining"...just answering the question honestly...

 

[iheartBrad]

everyone is gonna have their own opinions on the matter...and thats fair.

 

[C Diddy]

How about, "I don't decide who starts the coach does, but if asked to start I am ready."

I don't like his answer and I think it is whining. It is not that big of a deal.

I'll agree with you that its not that big of a deal.

I've heard a lot of whining from athletes this year. From Sprewell's, "I need to feed my kids." to Webber's, "I'm not getting enough minutes." are clearly examples of player's whining and moaning to the media. Kenny Thomas's, "No." just doesn't seem to fit the same whining mold that we're used to. Or does it?
I guess that's the point I'm making. If we are willing to classify Thomas's comments with Webber's and Sprewell's then I think our image of professional athletes has been seriously skewed. That thought in itself though, it a completely different discussion.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'll agree with you that its not that big of a deal.

I've heard a lot of whining from athletes this year. From Sprewell's, "I need to feed my kids." to Webber's, "I'm not getting enough minutes." are clearly examples of player's whining and moaning to the media. Kenny Thomas's, "No." just doesn't seem to fit the same whining mold that we're used to. Or does it?
I guess that's the point I'm making. If we are willing to classify Thomas's comments with Webber's and Sprewell's then I think our image of professional athletes has been seriously skewed. That thought in itself though, it a completely different discussion.

I'm going to ignore the Webber statement and trying to equate that to Sprewell -- that's just a silly and unnecessary thing to do to a thread.

But whether this is "whining" or not would entirely depend on the question asked and the tone of the response. Or setting aside the "whining" angle, the problem would have been just as real if Sprewell had been directly asked "are you happy with your contract" and just answered "no". Still a jackass. Just not making a fool of himself in the process. The ONLY thing that matters with KT is whether he actually has a problem that will cause him to say or do anything against the best interests of the team, pout, complain, undermine Rick's authority etc. If he doesn't, than the method of delivery is unimportant. If he does, well again the method of delivery is unimportant because it would be just as big of a problem as if he'd written a book about it.

 

[iheartBrad]

^don't forget about Ray Allen's constant whining about whose a dirty player and who isn't...lol

 

[iheartBrad]

i agree Brick

 

[C Diddy]

I'm going to ignore the Webber statement and trying to equate that to Sprewell -- that's just a silly and unnecessary thing to do to a thread.

I was showing a wide range of what constitutes whining, not necessarily making a comparison to Webber from Sprewell other then that they were both, "whining".

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

Chris Webber once said that every player in the league should believe they're an MVP candidate, I think that's basically what we have here. KT is just showing us that he has self confidence.

 

[captain bill]

Kenny's playing well off the bench, still logging quality minutes. If he was sulking and playing like crap, then people would have a reason to be mad at him. But as it stands now, he disagrees with not starting, but is still doing his job, and well. As long as he doesn't create any rift in the team- which he's clearly not, seeing as Adleman and Songaila both say he should (and will, with time) start. There's no problem here. Anyone who claims otherwise is just looking for something to complain about. There's no negative impact to any of his statements, so maybe the people who are ripping him should be the one's to learn to keep their mouths shut.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

I am sorry guys I just don't see his response as whining. Sure maybe he could have gave a more "politically correct" answer, however we must remember Kenny is a basketball player not a politician. We are reading way too much into this.