Solid D
09-24-2004, 02:06 AM
www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA092404.7D.BKNSpursUpdate.b167ac18.html (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA092404.7D.BKNSpursUpdate.b167ac18.html)
Web Posted: 09/24/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs, in the midst of finalizing their roster for the start of training camp, are considering signing former University of Texas center James Thomas.
Thomas, who likely will be a 6-foot-8 power forward in the NBA, has impressed Spurs coaches and scouts during workouts at the team's practice facility the past couple of weeks. He previously played well for Portland's summer-league team at the Rocky Mountain Revue after not being selected in the NBA Draft.
Thomas is seeking a guaranteed one-year contract for the league minimum. The Spurs have some reservations about fully guaranteeing Thomas unless they can get him to agree to a two-year deal. If Thomas were to sign for only one season and play well, the Spurs would then likely have to use a portion of one of their salary-cap exceptions to re-sign him.
Thomas left UT as the school's all-time leading rebounder. As a junior, he averaged 11.1 points and 11.0 rebounds and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as the Longhorns advanced to the Final Four. He had 15 rebounds against Emeka Okafor during UT's victory over Connecticut in the NCAA tournament's South regional semifinals at the Alamodome.
Thomas battled what was described as a lower-back injury his senior season and eventually lost his place in the team's rotation. He played only two minutes in UT's loss to Xavier in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Thomas visited a Washington doctor after the season and was told much of his back trouble was caused by a muscle imbalance that could be alleviated with a proper strengthening regimen. He looked considerably more active in late July at the Rocky Mountain Revue, where he averaged 10.1 points and 7.6 rebounds, second-best in the league.
The Spurs currently have 15 players under contract, a few of whom whose deals are not fully guaranteed. In addition to Thomas, Marque Perry, a 6-1 point guard who played in the NBDL last season, is among a handful of players the team is considering adding to its training-camp roster.
Once the season starts, teams are limited to carrying up to 12 active players and can place up to three more on the injured list.
Spurs officials have continued to speak weekly with Karl Malone's agent, but have not been given any reason to feel optimistic about their chances of signing Malone. Malone's children are enrolled in school near Los Angeles, leading some observers to think he will re-sign with the Lakers if he chooses to play.
Malone had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on June 29 and is not expected to be fully healed by the start of the season.
"We've told Karl we've been saving a spot for him," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "If we fill it and Karl decides in a month or two he wants to play for us, we could find a way to make room for him."
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Web Posted: 09/24/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs, in the midst of finalizing their roster for the start of training camp, are considering signing former University of Texas center James Thomas.
Thomas, who likely will be a 6-foot-8 power forward in the NBA, has impressed Spurs coaches and scouts during workouts at the team's practice facility the past couple of weeks. He previously played well for Portland's summer-league team at the Rocky Mountain Revue after not being selected in the NBA Draft.
Thomas is seeking a guaranteed one-year contract for the league minimum. The Spurs have some reservations about fully guaranteeing Thomas unless they can get him to agree to a two-year deal. If Thomas were to sign for only one season and play well, the Spurs would then likely have to use a portion of one of their salary-cap exceptions to re-sign him.
Thomas left UT as the school's all-time leading rebounder. As a junior, he averaged 11.1 points and 11.0 rebounds and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as the Longhorns advanced to the Final Four. He had 15 rebounds against Emeka Okafor during UT's victory over Connecticut in the NCAA tournament's South regional semifinals at the Alamodome.
Thomas battled what was described as a lower-back injury his senior season and eventually lost his place in the team's rotation. He played only two minutes in UT's loss to Xavier in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Thomas visited a Washington doctor after the season and was told much of his back trouble was caused by a muscle imbalance that could be alleviated with a proper strengthening regimen. He looked considerably more active in late July at the Rocky Mountain Revue, where he averaged 10.1 points and 7.6 rebounds, second-best in the league.
The Spurs currently have 15 players under contract, a few of whom whose deals are not fully guaranteed. In addition to Thomas, Marque Perry, a 6-1 point guard who played in the NBDL last season, is among a handful of players the team is considering adding to its training-camp roster.
Once the season starts, teams are limited to carrying up to 12 active players and can place up to three more on the injured list.
Spurs officials have continued to speak weekly with Karl Malone's agent, but have not been given any reason to feel optimistic about their chances of signing Malone. Malone's children are enrolled in school near Los Angeles, leading some observers to think he will re-sign with the Lakers if he chooses to play.
Malone had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on June 29 and is not expected to be fully healed by the start of the season.
"We've told Karl we've been saving a spot for him," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "If we fill it and Karl decides in a month or two he wants to play for us, we could find a way to make room for him."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]