Spurs ready to release ex-Longhorn Thomas

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs ready to release ex-Longhorn Thomas
Web Posted: 10/25/2004 12:00 AM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

The Spurs will waive forward James Thomas today, leaving them with 16 players on their roster.

Thomas, who left Texas as the school's all-time leading rebounder, appeared in four preseason games with the Spurs. He totaled seven points, nine rebounds and six turnovers in 43 minutes.

Thomas was not drafted, but he signed with the Spurs as a free agent the week before training camp opened. Only a fraction of his $385,277 salary for this season was guaranteed.

The Spurs invited Thomas to training camp after watching him play against Malik Rose, Philadelphia forward Kenny Thomas and Indiana center Jeff Foster at the team's practice facility in September.

Though James Thomas held his own in those workouts, he didn't help his chances of making the team when he struggled during conditioning drills early in camp. He also admitted last week he was having some trouble learning the Spurs' system.

"I'm not picking it up as fast as I did in college," Thomas said. "It's kind of difficult for me right now until I learn the offense."

Thomas received his most extensive playing time Thursday against Philadelphia when he fouled out in 17 minutes with two points, three rebounds and four turnovers. Even if he had played better, he still would have had a difficult time making the team because the Spurs already have NBA veterans in Rose, Robert Horry, Tony Massenburg and Sean Marks to help back up Tim Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic.

Thomas said the back injury that bothered him during his senior season at UT has healed. A key contributor during the Longhorns' run to the 2003 Final Four, he played only sparingly in last season's NCAA tournament.

Thomas wore No. 2 with the Spurs because it represented how many minutes he played during UT's season-ending loss to Xavier.

"That (game) is nothing but motivation for me," Thomas said during camp. "My teammates worked hard and I guess they deserved their playing time. But when you're the school's all-time leading rebounder and I go out there and give it my all, I at least deserved — and earned — to play more than two minutes."

Thomas' rebounding skills likely will get him another opportunity to make an NBA roster, if not this season then next. He said last week that he hadn't yet considered playing overseas or gaining experience in the NBA's developmental league because he was still focused on trying to stick with the Spurs.

"I believe I can play in this league," Thomas said. "I know I can play in this league — I'm talking about right now. I'm not giving up on this until the last whistle."

Parker negotiations continue: Tony Parker's agent, Marc Fleisher, said Sunday he hopes to receive another contract extension proposal from the Spurs within the next few days. "I wouldn't say we're close," Fleisher said, "until after I get a chance to see (the proposal)."

Parker said last week he is "very confident" a deal will be reached by Sunday's deadline. Parker and the Spurs are about $5 million apart on the total value of the six-year extension, though a number of other stumbling blocks still remain in the way of an agreement.

[Kori Ellis]

I knew Thomas wouldn't make it. He's so lost on both ends of the floor.

Just Boumtje-Boumtje and Perry will remain. I wonder if they'll go big or small -- or cut them both.

[timvp]

Yeah this was just a dumb move since the beginning. I thought he sucked at summer league and he sucked even more in preseason. He's just not a basketball player.

Dennis Rodman my azz.

[TheWriter]

I'd go with the big. Boonchair boonchair from all accounts seems to be improving on a game basis.

[Kori Ellis]

The only reason I think they are leaning toward going small is this line in the article ...


Even if he had played better, he still would have had a difficult time making the team because the Spurs already have NBA veterans in Rose, Robert Horry, Tony Massenburg and Sean Marks to help back up Tim Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic.

So I'm thinking that they are set on bigs.

[Patrick Davis]

He had a bad senior year, and has never been a scorer. He might make a nba practice squad some day. And I think you either take Perry or niether of the men left. Rueben is pretty lost on the court and we already have marks as our big that will never play.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

James Thomas will never set foot in an NBA arena unless he's buying a ticket to the game.

End of discussion.

[mattyc]

Would think Boumtje-Boumtje would be next to go. The Spurs might give him a few more days and see how he goes.

Hope Marque Perry sticks. Seems like a good kid and a quick learner judging from his speedy improvement in Summer League. It can't hurt to have a developer on the IR 'just in case'.

*shrugs*

[Brodels]

I'd go with the big. Boonchair boonchair from all accounts seems to be improving on a game basis.

I just can't see him making the team. He's been playing better every day, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a stiff. He's just awful and he's always going to be awful.

[xcoriate]

About time, I feel like they wasted an opportunity and could have had someone with a better chance of sticking it. Often there seems to be someone whos undrafted and joins up later (see Daniels, Marquise).

Spurs wasted a chance...

[ChumpDumper]

Not sure if Perry would be better than picking up someone from the waiver wire the next week or so. Goldie and Mike Wilks have a bit more experience, for example.

[spurster]

I think the Spurs will go with 14 players on their roster, leaving an open slot in case of multiple injuries at one position. Of course, with 15 players, the Spurs can waive one player to add another, but that's not very classy.

[ChumpDumper]

Of course, with 15 players, the Spurs can waive one player to add another, but that's not very classy.Well, we did it last year....

[Marcus Bryant]

I'm shocked. I thought Thomas was good enough to be the primary backup big. I suppose I shouldn't believe some of what I read in this forum.

[FromWayDowntown]

After last season, when the Spurs got caught with their pants down and scrambled to find Jason Hart as a third true point, I suspect that they'll either keep Perry or scour the waiver wires to see if a quality point comes available right around opening night. I can't imagine, given that Parker has been hurt in each of the last two seasons and that Udrih is a rookie who has shown a propensity to miss time, that the Spurs are going to sit pat with only 2 pure points. Beyond that, keeping a 3rd point around will relieve Parker of some practice time, which has been an issue in the past.

I don't think that Perry is any type of long-term answer, but he might be the best choice available. In any event, given the number of bigs on this roster and the need for some kind of quality depth at the point, I'm putting my money on Boumtje-Boumtje as the next to be voted off the island.

[Kori Ellis]

It's official ...

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived forward James Thomas.

Thomas, a University of Texas product, appeared in three preseason games for San Antonio. He averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.0 minutes

The Spurs roster now stands at 16.

[timvp]

GTFO.

[rl64tx]

NEW: Spurs waive ex-Longhorn Thomas
Web Posted: 10/25/2004 03:24 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News

The Spurs announced today that they have waived forward James Thomas.

Thomas, who left the University of Texas as the school's all-time leading rebounder, appeared in three preseason games for the Spurs. He averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.

The Spurs now have 16 players on the roster.

Thomas was not drafted, but he signed with the Spurs as a free agent the week before training camp opened. Only a fraction of his $385,277 salary for this season was guaranteed.

The Spurs invited Thomas to training camp after watching him play against Malik Rose, Philadelphia forward Kenny Thomas and Indiana center Jeff Foster at the team's practice facility in September.

Though James Thomas held his own in those workouts, he didn't help his chances of making the team when he struggled during conditioning drills early in camp. He also admitted last week he was having some trouble learning the Spurs' system.

"I'm not picking it up as fast as I did in college," Thomas said. "It's kind of difficult for me right now until I learn the offense."

Thomas received his most extensive playing time Thursday against Philadelphia when he fouled out in 17 minutes with two points, three rebounds and four turnovers. Even if he had played better, he still would have had a difficult time making the team because the Spurs already have NBA veterans in Rose, Robert Horry, Tony Massenburg and Sean Marks to help back up Tim Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic.

Thomas said the back injury that bothered him during his senior season at UT has healed. A key contributor during the Longhorns' run to the 2003 Final Four, he played only sparingly in last season's NCAA tournament.

Thomas wore No. 2 with the Spurs because it represented how many minutes he played during UT's season-ending loss to Xavier.

"That (game) is nothing but motivation for me," Thomas said during camp. "My teammates worked hard and I guess they deserved their playing time. But when you're the school's all-time leading rebounder and I go out there and give it my all, I at least deserved — and earned — to play more than two minutes."

Thomas' rebounding skills likely will get him another opportunity to make an NBA roster, if not this season then next. He said last week that he hadn't yet considered playing overseas or gaining experience in the NBA's developmental league because he was still focused on trying to stick with the Spurs.

"I believe I can play in this league," Thomas said. "I know I can play in this league — I'm talking about right now. I'm not giving up on this until the last whistle."

Parker negotiations continue: Tony Parker's agent, Marc Fleisher, said Sunday he hopes to receive another contract extension proposal from the Spurs within the next few days. "I wouldn't say we're close," Fleisher said, "until after I get a chance to see (the proposal)."

Parker said last week he is "very confident" a deal will be reached by Sunday's deadline. Parker and the Spurs are about $5 million apart on the total value of the six-year extension, though a number of other stumbling blocks still remain in the way of an agreement

[SequSpur]

Another nice pickup.

[totalspurshomer]

Now why couldn't they have released the bum last week when I had 2-1 odds on him being the first one out the door!? :cuss :bang

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Spurs invited Thomas to training camp after watching him play against Malik Rose, Philadelphia forward Kenny Thomas and Indiana center Jeff Foster at the team's practice facility in September.

I've noticed that KT has spent quite a bit of time with some of the Spurs players this offseason. What's the dealy yo? Have Rose and Kenny bonded. . .some sort of a 'tweener man-love? Does Pop envision a frontcourt of tough, stocky 6'6" guys? Does KT just enjoy eating Philly sandwiches and mooching them from Malik's restaurant?

[ChumpDumper]

If we had room for a project big man, I'd like to look at Jackie Butler, but he's probably better playing in the D league for a year or two.
http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2004-06-21-inside-butler.jpg

Too bad the Clips got to N'diaye first. He looked like his offense was turning a corner this summer.

[timvp]

James Thomas over Noel Felix was a stupid decision. I'll give the Spurs' brass the benefit of the doubt because they didn't watch as many RMR as Kori and I did, but it was OBVIOUS that Thomas was a scrub. He was one of the worst players out there

[BronxCowboy]

If he ever had any shot whatsoever at making the team, I would agree that it was a dumb move, but I think his signing was nothing but a PR move. As far as PR props go, Thomas wasn't too bad.

[Ignite]

This says alot about the UT basketball program when you got a guy from UTSA on the Spurs team and the guy from UT gets cut, its usually the other way around. Then you got T.J. "Not Kidd" Ford who is benched in favor of Mike James.

[ChumpDumper]

The NBA usually favors players with intact spines.

[Ignite]

And in Shawn Kemps case, intact genitalia

[timvp]

Not sure if Perry would be better than picking up someone from the waiver wire the next week or so. Goldie and Mike Wilks have a bit more experience, for example.

Nice work, Chump Dumper..

:smokin

[ChumpDumper]

:drunk

[ShoogarBear]

The NBA usually favors players with intact spines.

Then explain Hedo.

You saw that one coming, didn't you?

[ChumpDumper]

Indeed, I was waiting for someone to knock that slow pitch out of the park.