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djsunyc
Posts: 44929
Alba Posts: 42
Joined: 1/16/2004
Member: #536
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....that's sitting at home playing nintendo
Thomas Hoping To Play
23rd January, 2006 - 6:29 pm
Chicago Tribune - Tim Thomas says he is working out at Villanova with his old college team.
"The only thing I want to do is play basketball," Thomas was saying by phone from New Jersey one day last week.
"Everything that happened from Day One, I don't really understand. I'm still confused about the whole situation. But I don't have anything bad to say about anybody [in Chicago]. I don't even remember how long I was there. I didn't make any relationships with anybody. Going into Chicago, I was excited. I've been in situations before that were not great (as far as winning). I know I can go out and do what I want [on the court] on a consistent basis. Chicago would have been a perfect situation for me."
"We agreed that Tim is at a different point in his career than the majority of our players, and it was mutually decided that he stay in N.Y. until we can get a deal done or the trade deadline passes," general manager John Paxson, out on a scouting trip, replied by e-mail. "I am aware that him not playing and not being visible to other teams doesn't help [our chances to trade him], but the reality is that we could possibly [still] have the opportunity to move him because of his one-year contract."
It remains one of the more curious stories in the NBA this season. Fans always scream for teams out of contention to play their younger players, so that's essentially what the Bulls, who wouldn't have signed Thomas after this season anyway, chose to do.
Could Thomas, 28, have made a difference for the Bulls, his fourth team in nine seasons?
"I came in with the mind-set to play basketball," said Thomas, who played in three games for the Bulls. "I heard my share of stories about [coach Scott Skiles], but it didn't bother me. When you're on the court, there isn't a coach in the world who can help you. You have to go out and perform on your own.
"I've been watching them. I know I can help that team. It's just circumstances happened. The opportunity was not there. Nobody wants to be in that situation. My only goal is to play basketball. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be just collecting a check. I know [Skiles] liked his core guys. I had no problem with them sticking with the young guys. My thing is I knew I could help. I still have some years in this league." [READ]
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1/23/2006 8:24 PM
