Man, what a difference 15 or so games make. When Thomas did get a couple minutes on the floor here and there earlier in the season, he looked like a deer in the headlights. Tonight, I really liked what I saw from him. 10 pts and 6 rebs in 12min is pretty good production. The guy has some quickness, moves, and touch that I wasn't sure he had. He looked comfortable on the floor. No longer was that glassy-eye look on his face. He may not be the next Charles Barkley, but I'm much more comfortable with us drafting him than I was before tonight. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Looks like we got another steal in the draft. He made a difference tonight, especially when the Clippers made their run in the 4th. Think he made a 3 tonight too. A power forward making a 3? Wow. All I know is when I went to an open practice (team scrimmage) he did not look like a rookie. Lots of poise for a rook! KEEP IT UP, KENNY!
And to think, some of us wanted to trade or cut him. Well, if he continues, maybe he will be trade bait, or he could push tony. I saw him play in New Mexico, and if inspired, the guy has game. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
The guy did it all in New Mexico. He was the Lobos team. He scored from the outside and the inside, he rebounded, blocked shots, passed the ball well for a big man. It's been said that the only difference between Kenny Thomas and Elton Brand is that Thomas didn't have several of his teammates taken in the first round of the draft. He has the skills. I don't think anybody has ever questioned that.
I really like this guy a lot. Looks like Rudy and co. may have worked some more late-round draft magic yet again. Hopefully he's our power forward of the future. He looks like he could also play some small forward. We've got just about every position on the roster solidified for the next 10 years. Not many teams can say that.
The rockets need Kenny thomas to fight for some playing time. Strengths 1 Challenges shots on defense. 2 Ability to hit the three, maybe. If he keeps hitting them, he will really open up the lanes for Francis, Mobley, and Anderson. 3 Active Weaknesses 1 Strength or the reluctance to use it. It seemed to me that Rodney Rogers pushed him around in the suns game. He is strong enough to hold him off, or atleast he looks it to me. 2 inexperience. He has a complete game, but still lacks the physical game in the NBA.
What suprises me about this guy is that he's so versatile. I mean he can run, block shots, rebound, and even shoot the three. When we drafted him the media was talking about his weight and work effort. I see no weight problem whatsoever. I say give Kenny some playing time at the small forward too. If you think about it he shoots better from the three point line than Walt. Kenny thomas is proving he deserves playing time no matter what the situation.
Rocketbooster What I like is everything you mentioned AND: 1.He is fearless, regardless of who or how "starred" his opponents are this guys goes at them. 2.He does not get ruffled when he screws up. Kinda like Dickerson was last year. 3.He is mad because he figures he should have been in there a long time ago. 4.He is an excellent pick for the NEW NBA power forward position proto-type... big and bulky, but good footwork. 5.A great repertoire of shots,as you mentioned. 6.He is committed to scoring when he gets under the foul line or into the paint. 7.He is getting better each shift he plays. 8.There is absolutely NO pressure on him to be a standout.
One huge potential drawback that we really won't be able to evaluate until later this year or in years to come is that he disappears in big games. I read that he score something like 2 points in the biggest game of his college career. Does anyone know more about this? Was it because he is one of those "unselfish" players who pass up all of their shots to get others involved while at the same time lose their aggresiveness. Pushing that negativity aside, I really like his well rounded game and think he could be a great player for the Rockets. I just want to see more of him than Massenburg, mainly because I don't want to rely too much on an injury proned player (I think he has been injured three times this year) - Brent Price may never get injured again in his career, but I wouldn't put my money on him if I were paying salaries.
I am beginning to see a change in the Rockets attitude because they are now playing hard for the whole game even if they have mental lapses that let the other team into the game. But anyway...Rudy seems to be really yelling at these guys, he is firey when they are fuc*ing up , and in previous years Rudy would just look disgusted. I think Rudy is doing his job on this team, with guys lately like Kenny Thomas. I just hope that Rudyball 2K can get really going before it is too late to matter.
Hey Doctor, I remember when Kenny got drafted that there were comments that he had disappearded in some big games because he didn't do well against double teams. Remember that he played at New Mexico and the better teams had the people to focus on him and shut him down with double teams. For all the crap that the Rudy gets on this board this year, he certainly has a great track record for finding solid NBA players in the last first and second rounds. Cassell, Othella, Mobley. Drew and Dickerson are not there yet but they both could be. Kenny Thomas may be the latest steal.
Rudy and staff definitely pick good players in the draft. No doubt about that. Kenny was even more outstanding in this 2nd game against the Suns and really made a difference. First, he was shooting lights out - he was hot and they got him the ball. Second, he rebounded and just hustled out there. It's nice to see all these young bucks with lots of energy the whole game even in a back to back like against the Clippers. LOL, even Charles is starting to keep up - just kidding he has been playing great. Kenny Thomas is a very nice surprise, and I hope he has now earned his minutes. KEEP IT GOING, KENNY! GO ROCKETS!
quit playa hatin playahata. god i just had to say that. u know, when i registered to this place, i was about to choose the name playa-hater. but then, i just couldn't resist alaskansnowman. anyway, on the topic of kenny thomas... I really like this kid. He use to be overweight and all, but now he doesn't look overweight at all. He can run the floor well, can hit the shot, gives you plenty of hustle, and has some nice moves inside. What else could you expect?? A rookie that can run, has some offense, and has plenty of hustle. But you all have to realize that he's not gonna be playin like this every time. But when he starts playiin mediocre, just bring in one of our other guys. We have plenty of em. To sum it up, if kenny can keep up this play, then he seriously deserves minutes, and Rudy's gonna have to think about how he can give kenny those minutes when hakeem comes back. that idea just gives me a tingle inside... worrying about how you can give everybody minutes because you have TOO MANY GOOD PEOPLE!!!!!
Rocketbooster He definitely has earned more playing time. Hope it won't come in bits and pieces. Popeye All good points. I think he could have been in there sooner, just too many players to evaluate at the 4. IMO the rocks knew they would keep Kenny and wanted to see who they might cut loose or trade. Doc Didn't see the game, but heard that double and tripple teams took him out of the offense. Like JOE JOE said the Media was wrong about his weight and work ethic, maybe they're wrong about that too.
