Danny.Zhu
08-13-2009, 10:29 PM
By Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 12, 2009
Bruce Bowen is gone, waived for $2 million in savings.
Fabrico Oberto never really landed with the Bucks, instead being sent to Detroit as part of the three-team deal which resulted in veteran Richard Jefferson joining the San Antonio Spurs. Now Oberto has signed with the Washington Wizards after being released by the Pistons.
But what about Kurt Thomas, the veteran forward-center and the third San Antonio player involved in the trade?
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Thomas is part of the Bucks' plans for the coming season, an experienced pro who can help the young talent the team has acquired.
General manager John Hammond sees Thomas as a player who can provide support at both the power forward and center positions, helping to back up center Andrew Bogut and the Bucks' young trio of power forwards - Hakim Warrick, Amir Johnson and Ersan Ilyasova.
"The question is how many minutes can he play," Hammond said. "You don't want to wear him out."
Thomas will turn 37 on Oct. 4 and will be starting his 15th NBA season, a remarkable record of endurance. He was a first-round pick of the Miami Heat in the 1995 draft, the 10th overall selection.
He played seven seasons with the New York Knicks and was the team's starting center in the 1999 NBA Finals against the Spurs.
Oddly, Thomas went to San Antonio in a February 2008 trade with Seattle, a deal that involved Francisco Elson, now a Bucks teammate.
"He's a pro's pro," Hammond said. "The fact is he's a guy you can have on the floor to finish games. He can step up to make the big shot, and he knows how to defend on the interior. His rebounding numbers are excellent.
"And he's excited about being here."
Thomas averaged 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 79 games with the Spurs last season. He made 39 starts in 42 appearances with Seattle in 2007-'08, before moving on to the Spurs and playing in 28 games (nine starts).
Thomas also has a cap-friendly contract, with one year and $3.8 million remaining on a deal he signed with the Spurs in July 2008.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/53045352.html
Aug. 12, 2009
Bruce Bowen is gone, waived for $2 million in savings.
Fabrico Oberto never really landed with the Bucks, instead being sent to Detroit as part of the three-team deal which resulted in veteran Richard Jefferson joining the San Antonio Spurs. Now Oberto has signed with the Washington Wizards after being released by the Pistons.
But what about Kurt Thomas, the veteran forward-center and the third San Antonio player involved in the trade?
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Thomas is part of the Bucks' plans for the coming season, an experienced pro who can help the young talent the team has acquired.
General manager John Hammond sees Thomas as a player who can provide support at both the power forward and center positions, helping to back up center Andrew Bogut and the Bucks' young trio of power forwards - Hakim Warrick, Amir Johnson and Ersan Ilyasova.
"The question is how many minutes can he play," Hammond said. "You don't want to wear him out."
Thomas will turn 37 on Oct. 4 and will be starting his 15th NBA season, a remarkable record of endurance. He was a first-round pick of the Miami Heat in the 1995 draft, the 10th overall selection.
He played seven seasons with the New York Knicks and was the team's starting center in the 1999 NBA Finals against the Spurs.
Oddly, Thomas went to San Antonio in a February 2008 trade with Seattle, a deal that involved Francisco Elson, now a Bucks teammate.
"He's a pro's pro," Hammond said. "The fact is he's a guy you can have on the floor to finish games. He can step up to make the big shot, and he knows how to defend on the interior. His rebounding numbers are excellent.
"And he's excited about being here."
Thomas averaged 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 79 games with the Spurs last season. He made 39 starts in 42 appearances with Seattle in 2007-'08, before moving on to the Spurs and playing in 28 games (nine starts).
Thomas also has a cap-friendly contract, with one year and $3.8 million remaining on a deal he signed with the Spurs in July 2008.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/53045352.html