Thomas, 30, admits to having bulked up and gotten stronger. He said to ask Kanter, hinting about his low-block wars with the center in scrimmages. Kanter confirmed.

“He’s one of the few guys who can hold me on the post in the league,’’ Kanter said. “I don’t know why. I think he’s got that old man strength. That’s what it is. Old man strength. Maybe I got weaker. Going at it a lot in summer time and we switch on 5-on-5, he holds me down"