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ShareKenny Thomas - Settling in Philadelphia
After the Sixers 2002-03 season ended, Sixers President and General Manager Billy King made no bones about what the team's plans were in the offseason - to re-sign forward Kenny Thomas. On the first day of the 2003 free agent signing period, he did just that by signing Thomas to a multi-year deal.
"My No. 1 priority after the season was to re-sign Kenny Thomas, and we are here today to sign him," said King. "It's somebody who we've been trying to acquire, and now we're keeping here in Philadelphia."
Now that Thomas has inked his deal with the Sixers, he is looking forward to settling in Philadelphia.
"I've been waiting for this day for the past 25 years," said Thomas about the long term deal. "To be able to play in the NBA, this is a dream come true. To be able to come back to Philadelphia, and now this is going to be my home, to be able to bring up my three-year-old son and my fiance. It just feels good. I'm going to come back to Philadelphia and just play hard like I did all season."
In 46 regular season games (28 starts) with the Sixers, Thomas averaged 10.2 points and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds. He bettered those numbers in the Playoffs where he averaged a near double-double with 10.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and is hoping to expand his role in the coming season.
"My biggest focus was, if I came back here, I wanted the ball a little bit more...," said Thomas. "I'm still going to rebound and do the stuff that I need to do, but I just want the ball, too."
"Once I get the ball, I don't have to shoot. I'm a great passer, and I find my teammates open," added Thomas. "When I got the opportunity to have the ball, I did that. I can also score."
The 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward understands that All-Star guard Allen Iverson will still get all the shots.
"I still know that AI will be taking all the shots. I can live with that," joked Thomas.
Thomas was initially acquired by Philadelphia from Houston on Dec. 18, 2002, in a three-team trade involving the Rockets and Denver.
“I consider this (Philadelphia) home, and when I came here, they accepted me with open arms-- all the players and the staff," said Thomas. "It was really hard for me to begin because I was at a place for three and a half years and had just bought a home, but that’s all behind me now. Now I’m in Philadelphia, and I just have to accept this role and come here and play hard.”
"My No. 1 priority after the season was to re-sign Kenny Thomas, and we are here today to sign him," said King. "It's somebody who we've been trying to acquire, and now we're keeping here in Philadelphia."
Now that Thomas has inked his deal with the Sixers, he is looking forward to settling in Philadelphia.
"I've been waiting for this day for the past 25 years," said Thomas about the long term deal. "To be able to play in the NBA, this is a dream come true. To be able to come back to Philadelphia, and now this is going to be my home, to be able to bring up my three-year-old son and my fiance. It just feels good. I'm going to come back to Philadelphia and just play hard like I did all season."
In 46 regular season games (28 starts) with the Sixers, Thomas averaged 10.2 points and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds. He bettered those numbers in the Playoffs where he averaged a near double-double with 10.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and is hoping to expand his role in the coming season.
"My biggest focus was, if I came back here, I wanted the ball a little bit more...," said Thomas. "I'm still going to rebound and do the stuff that I need to do, but I just want the ball, too."
"Once I get the ball, I don't have to shoot. I'm a great passer, and I find my teammates open," added Thomas. "When I got the opportunity to have the ball, I did that. I can also score."
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I'm going to come back to Philadelphia and just play hard like I did all season.” — Kenny Thomas |
"I still know that AI will be taking all the shots. I can live with that," joked Thomas.
Thomas was initially acquired by Philadelphia from Houston on Dec. 18, 2002, in a three-team trade involving the Rockets and Denver.
“I consider this (Philadelphia) home, and when I came here, they accepted me with open arms-- all the players and the staff," said Thomas. "It was really hard for me to begin because I was at a place for three and a half years and had just bought a home, but that’s all behind me now. Now I’m in Philadelphia, and I just have to accept this role and come here and play hard.”
