<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Former UTEP stars Filiberto Rivera and Omar Thomas continue to chase their basketball dreams, each hoping to land a spot on an NBA roster this fall. Thomas is trying to regroup after being cut from Atlanta's summer league team and has gained a spot in Seattle's veteran camp in September Thomas scored 1,211 points in two seasons with the Miners, one of only three players in school history to score more than 1,000 points in just two years. Now, he believes his final shot at the NBA for next season will be in Seattle. "Seattle invited me to their veterans camp," Thomas said. "I'm 0-for-2 right now, but I've got one more shot. I start practice there the end of September or early October. It's for players they've signed and free agents. They've got something like four spots open. As soon as the season was over last year, Seattle called coach Doc (Sadler) about me. They'd wanted me on their team from the beginning, so when things fell through with Atlanta, I asked Doc to call them. They liked me the whole time, so there's no reason they won't like me now. I've got another chance now and I know in this league you've got to go to work for what you want."</div> El Paso Times You called it - albeit very indirectly. Anyone making training camp at this point would have to fancy their chances of sticking around, given we still only have seven guys signed, hopefully Omar can grab his chance. Seems like he got jerked around a bit with the Hawks, we could have used his scoring ability on our Rocky Mountain squad.
I don't know where you find these articles but I appreciate the heads up. I was just looking on the net the other day to find out where O.T. ended up. I saw that he was available to play for the Hawks for their first summer league game and then next thing I knew he was off of the roster. I didn't know whether he was cut or whether he just left b/c he got a DNP-CD. I was really looking forward to seeing if he could score the way that he did when he was at UTEP in those summer leagues. Scouts don't seem to be big on him b/c he has an unconventional game. He isn't really athletic and he doesn't have a lot of range on his jump shot, but you can't ignore how he can consistently put the ball in the hole and how he is always on winning teams. He has a quick first step, a good mid range game, has the ability to get to the line and make a high percentage, and he is very assertive. Plus he is a Strawberry Mansion High School grad. Now I know that I get caught up trying to find diamonds in the rough, and I've only seen O.T. play once live, but I'm pulling for him to find a spot on our roster. He seems to be a focus kid, and considering how the odds are stacked up against him, he's going to need to be to make our roster.
I'd like to see him make the team. I've never seen the kid play but based on IS's description he sounds like a gamer. Anyone that possesses the lost art of the mid-range game is A-OK in my book. Especially with our pick and roll offense (assuming we stick widit), it's a valuable weapon. Plus with AD gone we need someone besides Ray who can get to the line with the clock running down. Not that he's going to get 25 mpg, I'm just saying.
He got cut from Chicago's too I think - Atlanta are stacked with swingmen though, so he was never going to get anywhere there. I still wonder why Tre bothered there.
Whatever happened to Lenny Cooke? I would also look into signing Gregor ***** for the jersey sales alone. We would be the richest team in bball, able to sign anyone. It will be interesting to see how bad O.T. wants to make the team. It seems that he falls short on the skills dept. , let's see if he can make it up in heart ala Reggie and Flip.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">Although you have to wonder about someone that gets cut from Atlanta's summer league team </div> Ok here is the skinny...OT was not cut from Chicago or Atlanta. Chicago told him he would only get 6 minutes a game in the summer league, this was after he agreed to play for them(thats why he shows up on thier roster on some sights)...so he looked for a better option...He went to Atlanta because they told him to work hard and perfrom better than some of the other guys, and he was in...first game came and the guys he was beating in practice played while he didnt. He had a meeting with the coaches and they said they had to do what they had to do....he told them to....well you can guess what he said....so along comes the Sonic, who were in contact with Coach Sadler after the draft, but OT did not know that....as far as his game..he is 6-5 205 and played power forward and center for UTEP...he played center at the Chiacago pre draft camp....his Junior year he lead UTEp while coming of the bench( something like 18 pts in 20 minutes) He gets most his points from the line...he has no fear of taking it to the basket...and knows his range and wont take a bad shot....Anyway sorry for the long post...just wanted to share....I hope he sticks with the Sonics...he could make a difference. PS he was contacted by the 76ers, but turned them down....he doesnt want to play near home...
Yeah thanks for the info ncpa_guy. I like the part about 'he knows his range and won't take a bad shot'
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Sounds like the opposite of Flip.</div> ...and Ray Allen. ncpa_guy, you might want to update your profile to let everyone know the love you show for those Strawberry Mansion's grads. Appreciate the heads up on O.T. He is definitely a diamond in the rough.
I learned of OT from his brother...I followed him threw high school and JUCO...and UTEP. I do think he will be a good player. He is a smart player who knows how to score. If he works on his handle....he should be around for a long time.... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">...and Ray Allen. ncpa_guy, you might want to update your profile to let everyone know the love you show for those Strawberry Mansion's grads. Appreciate the heads up on O.T. He is definitely a diamond in the rough.</div>
