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ShareThomas Looks to Stick with the Sixers
James Thomas is fighting for a spot on the 76ers roster, and he's already leaving quite an impression on the coaching staff. Thomas, a 6-8 forward from the University of Texas, was the D-League Rookie of the Year in 2004-05 and has gained notice with his tenacious rebounding.
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks likes what he sees in Thomas. "He's a banger," said Cheeks. "He goes to the boards on the offensive end. His impact is really strong on the offensive boards."
Thomas is relishing his opportunity in training camp. After a season spent mostly in the minor leagues, he enjoys being on the court with the higher level of competition. "From my point of view," he said, "training camp is going very well. The main thing is that everybody is playing hard. I guess that's what Coach Cheeks wants. He wants to see everybody come out here and try to outwork each other because people are fighting for spots. That's just the best thing because everybody is a competitor out here."
Thomas played with three NBA teams last year including Portland, Cleveland and Atlanta, but he spent most of the season playing for Roanoke Dazzle in the D-League. That team also featured the MVP of the D-League, Matt Carroll, and Cory Alexander. Thomas, Barnes and Alexander all split time between the D-League and the pros.
Dazzle coach Kent Davidson has been observing the Sixers training camp and spoke very highly of his talented trio from last year's team. He said, "We really had a nice team last year, and all of a sudden we lose Matt who was the MVP, Thomas who was Rookie of the Year and Cory who was first-team all-conference, or all league… With them we were 23-10. After losing them we were 3-12."
Thomas was frustrated with not sticking with an NBA team last year but said it motivated him to get better. "I guess the road to success isn't that easy all the time. So I toughed it out and played in the D-League. I got my call up…I wanted to prove that I do belong here. That's why I think I have I have a good chance here."
Thomas collected a career-high 15 rebounds against Cleveland last season and prides himself on his rebounding acumen. Asked about his skills he said, "I love to rebound. I told A.I. (Allen Iverson) the other day in the locker room that I don't care if I can score a bucket if I can go out there and rebound. He said you should be all right then. Hearing that from an All-Pro I think is a big compliment."
Cheeks is also impressed with Thomas' skills. "Any time you have a guy who can bang on the boards like that," he said, "there's a potential. He has a good chance."
Thomas would love to stick with the 76ers but is aware of the reality of the NBA. He said, "Somebody will give me a shot. If it's with Philadelphia or if it's for another team, hey, somebody will give me an opportunity."
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks likes what he sees in Thomas. "He's a banger," said Cheeks. "He goes to the boards on the offensive end. His impact is really strong on the offensive boards."
Thomas is relishing his opportunity in training camp. After a season spent mostly in the minor leagues, he enjoys being on the court with the higher level of competition. "From my point of view," he said, "training camp is going very well. The main thing is that everybody is playing hard. I guess that's what Coach Cheeks wants. He wants to see everybody come out here and try to outwork each other because people are fighting for spots. That's just the best thing because everybody is a competitor out here."
Thomas played with three NBA teams last year including Portland, Cleveland and Atlanta, but he spent most of the season playing for Roanoke Dazzle in the D-League. That team also featured the MVP of the D-League, Matt Carroll, and Cory Alexander. Thomas, Barnes and Alexander all split time between the D-League and the pros.
Dazzle coach Kent Davidson has been observing the Sixers training camp and spoke very highly of his talented trio from last year's team. He said, "We really had a nice team last year, and all of a sudden we lose Matt who was the MVP, Thomas who was Rookie of the Year and Cory who was first-team all-conference, or all league… With them we were 23-10. After losing them we were 3-12."
Thomas was frustrated with not sticking with an NBA team last year but said it motivated him to get better. "I guess the road to success isn't that easy all the time. So I toughed it out and played in the D-League. I got my call up…I wanted to prove that I do belong here. That's why I think I have I have a good chance here."
Thomas collected a career-high 15 rebounds against Cleveland last season and prides himself on his rebounding acumen. Asked about his skills he said, "I love to rebound. I told A.I. (Allen Iverson) the other day in the locker room that I don't care if I can score a bucket if I can go out there and rebound. He said you should be all right then. Hearing that from an All-Pro I think is a big compliment."
Cheeks is also impressed with Thomas' skills. "Any time you have a guy who can bang on the boards like that," he said, "there's a potential. He has a good chance."
Thomas would love to stick with the 76ers but is aware of the reality of the NBA. He said, "Somebody will give me a shot. If it's with Philadelphia or if it's for another team, hey, somebody will give me an opportunity."
