Thomas' veteran savvy coming in handy for Bulls
Invaluable doesn't even begin to describe the contributions of Bulls center Kurt Thomas.
At age 38, he's the league's second-oldest active player behind Shaquille O'Neal. Thomas was born one day before Phoenix forward Grant Hill.
He's started the last 18 games in place of Joakim Noah, who is likely sidelined for another month with a right thumb injury.
The Bulls have gone 13-5 since Thomas became the starter. He's averaged 7.7 rebounds and 5.4 points in those games, and delivered 6 vital, veteran-savvy points in the fourth quarter of Thursday's win over Dallas.
When he reflects on his longevity as an NBA player, Thomas' thoughts go back to a very challenging start.
As a rookie in 1995-96, he played for the Miami Heat. It was Pat Riley's first season as head coach in Miami after leaving the New York Knicks and needless to say, Riley was focused on rapid success.
“Going through training camp with Pat Riley, I didn't know if I would even play a year in this league,” Thomas said. “Those were the hardest training camps I've ever had, my first two years in the league under Pat Riley.
“That really was a key. He really taught me how to play and how to prepare for the game. Without that, I don't think I would have made it this long.”
Thomas' rookie season ended with a three-game playoff sweep against the 72-win Bulls.
“That was fun,” he said. “Anytime you get a chance to go against Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and those guys, it was definitely a learning experience for myself and everyone else out there. Going 72-10, I don't think that will ever be topped.”
Moving forward 14 years to last summer, the Bulls were interested in bringing back Brad Miller. When he got a lucrative, multiyear offer to sign with Houston, the Bulls were left to search for veteran depth and fortunately for them, Thomas was available and not toying with retirement.
He spent last season with Milwaukee and ended up starting every game of a opening-round playoff series against Atlanta after Andrew Bogut injured his arm in a gruesome fall late in the season.
“(Retirement) hasn't crossed my mind,” Thomas said. “I just felt as long as my body was still holding up and as long as I felt I was still being successful out there on the floor, felt I was contributing to my team, I felt I was going to play as long as I possibly could.”
Thomas credited one of his many former coaches, San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, for encouraging him to keep playing as long as he could.
“Coming into the league, I was thinking if I played 10 years, I'd consider that a great career,” Thomas said. “After I got to 10 years, I was like, ‘I'll play to 15.' After I made it to 15, I was just like, ‘Keep going as long as I can.'”
Thomas now occupies the token veteran cubicle at the United Center locker room that used to belong to Miller. They play the same role and are equally popular with their Bulls teammates.
But the personalities of the two players could hardly be any more different.
Miller, the self-described country boy from rural Indiana, would often dress in camouflage after games. Thomas, a Dallas native, is more likely to dress in an expensive, well-pressed suit.
“I feel like I've been lucky to have a lot of great vets since I've been in the NBA,” Noah said. “I learned a lot from Ben Wallace in terms of defensive body positioning and things like that. With Brad, I feel I learned a lot about passing angles.
“Brad was somebody who had a very high IQ and Kurt is kind of similar. He's not very quick on his feet. He doesn't have unbelievable bounce or anything like that. But he's someone who understands positioning and angles and things like that.”