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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Articles Many
still doubting Thomas
During the first three games of the year, Thomas proved that good things don't always come in threes. In three games, he made just three shots in each contest and was 3-for-3 in subpar performances. Thomas shot 9 for 30 from the field, a below-the-radar 30 percent. Even though this is his eighth season in the NBA, Thomas is only 27-years-old, but he long ago used up the excuse of youth for his erratic performances. He only played one year of college at Villanova and like many young players wasn't prepared for the rigors of the NBA, but he was more than ready to accept the paycheck. With the loot, comes the responsibility to perform each and every night. Throughout his career, Thomas has teased many evaluators with his talent. At 6-foot-10, he is called a small forward. Thomas is neither small, and he hasn't always moved forward in his career either. The Milwaukee Bucks saw his immense potential and signed him to a huge contract – one that still has two years and $26.8 million remaining, including this season. At his best, Thomas is a high-flying offensive force, able to hit the three-pointer and take the ball to the rack. Far too many times,
that tantalizing talent that he displays hasn't always been showcased
on a regular basis. Whether it's fair or not, Thomas has earned a reputation
for not always playing at 100 percent, one that Knicks "Tim will come out and play hard," Wilkens said. "He may not shoot as well, but he is going to play hard." People can argue Thomas' intestinal fortitude from now until April, when the Knicks plan on being in the postseason. What is indisputable is that Thomas suffered through a miserable first three games and the Knicks were lucky to win one of them. Then came Game No.
4 and Thomas finally had a breakout performance, at least compared to
the first three. He said he never lost confidence in his game, but Thomas sure sounded relieved after clipping the Clippers. "It's a long season and you know you are going to go through a struggle," Thomas said. "For me, it happened early and I never started a season my whole career the way I started this one." In an effort to shake Thomas out of his doldrums, Wilkens even diagrammed the first play for Thomas, who obliged by hitting a 20-footer just 15 seconds into the game. "Coach drew up the first play for me and he kind of sensed that I had to get myself going," Thomas said. "That is what a great coach does, get somebody going – and it worked." Does that sound like somebody who was supremely confident entering the game? Thomas is no different than many athletes. When athletes hit slumps, they often begin to question their ability. He dismisses this theory and insists the confidence meter never wavered. "Any time you go through a struggle or a slump whatever you want to call it, it's always important to get yourself rolling," he said. "I always had confidence in knowing what my abilities were on the basketball court." Knowing those abilities and connecting with them are two different things. The Knicks are viewed as a definite playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. They were the trendy pick in the Atlantic Division and nothing should discourage this talk. A key will be if Thomas
can sustain that same performance against the Clippers for long stretches
of the season. Playing time is the greatest motivator and it will be interesting to see if Ariza and Hardaway push Thomas to new heights. We haven't even mentioned Allan Houston, who has yet to play due to left knee pain. When Houston is on his game, he is one of the most lethal shooting guards in the NBA. It's conceivable that if he returns to the lineup, Houston, Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury can be used in a three-guard offense. That would also sap
minutes away from Thomas. For that reason, he needs to show that the game
against the Clippers wasn't an aberration. If he is playing well, then
Thomas will make it difficult for Wilkens to take him out "We need him in the lineup," Wilkens insisted. "Tim is an integral part of what we do and if he is playing well it helps us." Naturally. And if he isn't playing well, it forces the coach to make a decision. Thomas explained his first three games in simple terms, although the problem is never that easy to solve. "Sometimes the lid is closed," he said, referring to the rim. "It is not going to stop me from shooting or being aggressive. The difference (against the Clippers) is that the lid opened up." Thomas better hope the lid stays open or there could be a new opening for a small forward in the Knicks' starting lineup. Marc Narducci covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this article. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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