<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Look for Tim Thomas to wind up in Phoenix if his buyout from the Bulls is completed Wednesday as expected. League rules prevent the Bulls from adding a formal clause to Thomas' buyout that prevents him from signing with an Eastern Conference team after being released. But the sides can strike a handshake agreement to that effect and apparently have, with Chicago intent on preventing Thomas from joining New Jersey (his hometown team) or Philadelphia. Mothballed all season after the Bulls acquired his expiring contract as part of the Eddy Curry deal, Thomas would be eligible for the playoffs with his new team as long as he's waived by Chicago before the Wednesday deadline. The Suns have competition in the West from San Antonio, but the Spurs are essentially looking for optional depth (with Tim Duncan and Robert Horry hobbling) similar to last spring's signing of Glenn Robinson. Phoenix can offer a bigger role than most playoff contenders with Kurt Thomas lost for the rest of the regular season to a stress fracture in his right foot. Thomas' setback makes the Amare Stoudemire-less Suns even smaller than they were and thus desperate for size of any kind, even though Tim Thomas is a 6-10 small forward. </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">League rules prevent the Bulls from adding a formal clause to Thomas' buyout that prevents him from signing with an Eastern Conference team after being released. But the sides can strike a handshake agreement to that effect and apparently have, with Chicago intent on preventing Thomas from joining New Jersey (his hometown team) or Philadelphia. </div> That's funny, Tim Thomas is no Shaq. Even if he signed in the east its not as if he's a huge difference-maker. I heard on the radio that the Suns waived Jim Jackson today. What would Tim Thomas bring that Jim Jackson couldn't? He'd just be another swingman to warm the bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">That's funny, Tim Thomas is no Shaq. Even if he signed in the east its not as if he's a huge difference-maker. I heard on the radio that the Suns waived Jim Jackson today. What would Tim Thomas bring that Jim Jackson couldn't? He'd just be another swingman to warm the bench.</div> He brings more size, even though he doesn't play very big. I guess they want to replace Kurt Thomas and aren't too, sure what Brian Grant has left in the tank.
Well.. for a pro-rated veteran minimum (which is sumtin under 300,000) TT is well worth bringing in.. And Grant won't return anytime soon.. He should still be at least 2-3 weeks away.. TT's a plenty serviceable player.. I'm not gonna judge him too much on his performance as a Knickerbocker.. Players seem to go there to have their careers ruined lol.. The Suns on the other hand seem to have the magical powers to revive players.. TT's a great fit for the Suns too..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting swyftdahoe:</div><div class="quote_post">Well.. for a pro-rated veteran minimum (which is sumtin under 300,000) TT is well worth bringing in.. And Grant won't return anytime soon.. He should still be at least 2-3 weeks away.. TT's a plenty serviceable player.. I'm not gonna judge him too much on his performance as a Knickerbocker.. Players seem to go there to have their careers ruined lol.. The Suns on the other hand seem to have the magical powers to revive players.. TT's a great fit for the Suns too..</div> What does Grant have anything to do with it? Tim Thomas is not a big man and despite being 6'10", 250 pounds, he's ridiculously soft and is an absolutely terrible rebounder. He plays 0 defense and is a headcase. I have no idea why people are so excited about bringing him on their team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">That's funny, Tim Thomas is no Shaq. Even if he signed in the east its not as if he's a huge difference-maker. I heard on the radio that the Suns waived Jim Jackson today. What would Tim Thomas bring that Jim Jackson couldn't? He'd just be another swingman to warm the bench.</div> Is Boris Diaw (6'8 225) Shaq? He starts at Center for the Suns, and has played the position a lot this season. Diaw was a backup PG last season. Currently the Suns big-men are Pat Purke (6'10 250), Diaw, Shawn Marion (6'7 225), and James Jones (6'8 215). This team is by far the smallest team in the league at this point. Tim Thomas, while not a post player will give the Suns a big body. Also keep in mind that Amare Stoudemire is ready to play 5-5, but the Suns do not have enough bodies in practice because of injury!!! A healthy 6'10 body, who averages 11.2 ppg, will help this team.
I don't see what Tim Thomas would bring to Phoenix. His entire game is exactly what Phoenix have in spades.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see what Tim Thomas would bring to Phoenix. His entire game is exactly what Phoenix have in spades.</div> The funny thing is though, that of the non-injured players, Tim Thomas will be the the second biggest to Pat Burke (who is a 13-15th man). Pat Burke (6-10) Tim Thomas (6-10) Boris Diaw (6-8) Jumaine Jones (6-8) Marion (6-7) I think if they can get Thomas to play just below average defence then they should be happy. Offensively if he can still hit the three, he could be an interesting piece.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">Is Boris Diaw (6'8 225) Shaq? He starts at Center for the Suns, and has played the position a lot this season. </div> I was more referring to the clause that they couldn't put in his contract, the one that would prevent him from signing with the east. My point was that the Bulls shouldn't care what conference he signs in, he's not going to turn a team around or come back and torch them should they meet in the playoffs.
really impressive debut from Tim Thomas. San Antonio should pay attention if they haven't already. If Tim Thomas plays like this or even close to this for the rest of the season, all the talk about Nash making people better is only going to get louder.
I stand by my earlier remarks.. TT is a very good fit in the Phoenix system.. Whether or not he'll continue to contribute like in this first game is another matter.. He's got the potential to mesh in well and at least be a good backup at the forward spots.. I remember TT being described as a gazelle during his years in Milwaukee.. And I laugh at the dude above who made fun of the fact that I mentioned Grant's name in regards to TT.. Sure, TT's a pretty soft player and he plays smaller than he is, but that doesn't negate the fact that the Suns are in need of size with all the injuries to their "big" men.. And if you can't readily see that TT at least is helluva more serviceable than Pat Burke then you're on crack.. And it's not as if Grant was tearin' shiet up this season.. The only thing that we should consider as Suns fans is that it's a good deal regardless.. For approx $300,000, TT is a steal this late in the season.. The Suns are getting a player that's a good fit in their system for pretty much nothing (relative NBA money)..
I knew absolutely bupkis about TT until I saw him play last night. I tuned in a little late and one of the first things I saw was him shoot a 3. Even though he missed it, I saw the quick, easy stroke he had on the shot and I just smiled because I knew just from that, that he could do well here. Twenty points was still hella surprising though. Go Suns!
That role that Q had that last year? That is now filled by both James Jones and Eddie House? I know he was 5-8 last night but I think if Tim Thomas takes 8 3-point shots a game that might not be the best idea. I think they need him on the wing or close to the rim where Steve can find him ONLY if Marion is being covered and have him crash offensive boards which i think Phoenix are one of the worst in the league. Leave the behind-the-arc heaves to Raja and James Jones who are both incredible shooters. If TT plays hard he can be a good second chance point guy with the occasional 3 from the corner.
