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Wizards fans recently had the opportunity to chat with Washington center Etan Thomas at WashingtonWizards.com
Thomas fielded questions about his breakout season last year, an eventful summer for Thomas and the Wizards, and a promising season ahead for DC basketball.
Entering his fourth season in the league, the Syracuse product has become one of the backbones of the Wizards frontline. Last season, Thomas registered a double-double in 12 of his 79 games and averaged 8.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. His 123 total blocks ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference last year.
If you missed it, here is the transcript.
mohammed-fairfax: etan...im a big fan of the wizards.
what are your expectations coming into this year with a talented young group of players?
Etan Thomas: Our goal is to make the playoffs. We need to get better every game and fight for a playoff spot.
Becca - Cumberland, MD: What do you do during the off season?
Etan Thomas: I worked on every aspect of my game, shooting, lowpost defense, lowpost offense, perimeter defense, passing...I worked on everything.
Matt-Maryland: Yo Etan, I was wondering if there is a reason why you have the number 36. Keep playing hard
Etan Thomas: I grew up wanting to have Number 33, which I had in college. But when I came to the NBA I wanted to change it up, so I went with Number 36.
Cuz Marcus (Hampton,VA now!): What do you think makes you such a great shot blocker?
Etan Thomas: I don't know. It's kind of hard, I get asked that question alot. It is just an instinct, something that has come naturally to me, I guess. It's not something you can work on that much in practice, it's just a quick reaction in the post to go after the ball.
rizzo: With your New Contract Under your Belt, Do you feel big pressure to Perform at an all star level this year?
Etan Thomas: No. I just want to continue to work hard and get better.
JayJay Belgium: Who' was your favorite player when you where young?
Etan Thomas: Alonzo Mourning
Bruce (D.C.): I notice that during the pre-game warmups you almost exclusively stretch rather than shoot.Is this something you have always done?
Etan Thomas: Yeah, I've done that since high school. I'm really into stretching. I just warm up differently.
tiana hakimzadeh (potomac): hey etan!! first i would like to say that your my favorite basketball player!! and my question is what kind of poetry do you enjoy writing?
Etan Thomas: My poetry covers a lot of different topics. Much of it is geared toward young people, where I basically say the same things to kids that their parents and teachers say, but in a different way. Recently, with the election coming up, I've been writing political poetry, but generally, I mix it up, I write about a variety of subjects.
Alexandria, VA: I meet you at the DNC a few day ago and was surprised to learn you had an interest in the political manuevers of our government. How did you become interested and what message would you have for your fans who may not be so "interested"?
Etan Thomas: I got interested in politics the more I became aware of things in society that I didn't like and that I had strong opinions on. I would encourage young people to exercise their right to vote and also to become informed on the issues. There are important things, like education and healthcare for your grandparents that are pertaining to them, and they should be involved.
Jonas (Australia): What do you think you need to do to make the leap from being a role player to a Ben Wallace type player? Are you capable of such a leap?
Etan Thomas: I just will continue to work hard and get better and better, it's all I can do. Wallace is a special player, and I want to become the best player I can be, too.
francis, upper marlboro: I have a question or two about your name. Where did Etan come from and do people call you ET. Also, do you have a freindly feud with the other Thomsases in the NBA: Kenny, Tim and Kurt?
Etan Thomas: No, I don't have a feud with the other Thomas'. I actually can't stand ET. But Etan is of African origin, an African king; King Akhenaton.
Etan Thomas: I'd like the thank the fans for chatting with me today and I hope you'll come out and support the Wizards as we fight for a playoff spot this season.