[外電] Bulls' Thomas to play in 1,000th game Tuesday
芝加哥論壇報
Bulls' Thomas to play in 1,000th game Tuesday
'It's been an amazing ride,' he said
老湯週二對上山貓是他的第一千場球賽 他當時進NBA的時候Rose才六歲
Thomas說 : 他還想繼續打球! 跟這群小夥子一起 讓他感覺很年清
他剛進NBA受到很多人的指導 現在輪到他來教導年輕球員
如何尊敬球賽~
Perhaps fittingly, Kurt Thomas had to be reminded on the recently concluded
road trip that he will become the 96th player in NBA history — 104th with
ABA experience included — to play in 1,000 games on Tuesday night.
For Thomas, his 16-year career never has been about individual
accomplishments.
Again fittingly, though, Thomas, with a nod to Joakim Noah's injury, will
reach this milestone as the Bulls' starting center. Every time that Thomas
has been counted out — a popular trend in his injury-plagued first few
seasons — he has returned to defy and deliver, often with a well-timed elbow
thrown into some opposing player's rib cage for good measure.
"I broke my ankle four times in a period of two years," Thomas said,
referencing the mere 23 games he logged in his second and third NBA seasons.
"A lot of people thought my career was over. For me to come back and play and
reach this point is a great accomplishment.
"Kevin Willis told me my rookie year and it was his 12th year, 'Kurt, it's
going to fly by.' I thought he was just playing, joking. I didn't believe
him. But it truly has just flown by. It seems like it's only my third or
fourth year in the league."
Thomas, 38, is playing like it too. The second-oldest player in the league
behind Shaquille O'Neal, Thomas has averaged 5.7 points on 53.1 percent
shooting and seven rebounds in 28.6 minutes during his 27 starts with Noah
injured.
The Bulls, who started Taj Gibson in Noah's first missed game, are 20-8 since
Noah went down.
"I've definitely thought about playing again next year," Thomas said of his
solid play. "It depends on how we finish up this season and how I feel and if
I'm contributing to the team still."
Coach Tom Thibodeau just shakes his head and smiles when asked about Thomas'
value.
"You need guys like that, guys who stay ready and can defend and rebound when
called upon," Thibodeau said. "The way Kurt takes care of himself is a
testament to his professionalism."
Thomas credited teammates like Glen Rice, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway in
Miami and Larry Johnson and Patrick Ewing in New York for teaching him the
NBA ropes and says helping younger players now is his way of giving back to
the game.
"I had a number of great ballers who paved the way for me, taught me how to
approach the game and be professional," Thomas said. "I just try to let these
young guys know to respect the game. But even though I'm 38, I feel just as
young as them."
Derrick Rose was 6 when the Heat selected Thomas with the 10th overall pick
of the 1995 draft. He has played for the Heat, Mavericks, Knicks, Suns,
Spurs, SuperSonics, Bucks and Bulls, starting games for all but the Mavericks.
Thomas said reaching the 1999 NBA Finals with the Knicks is his career
highlight.
"It's all about winning," Thomas said. "I never had playing 1,000 games as a
goal. I just wanted to play the game I loved and maybe reach 10 years. I
thought if I did that, it'd be considered a good career.
"After I made it to 10, I was just entering the prime of my career and
playing really good basketball. So I said, let's go to 15. Then I made it to
15 and my mind was right, body was feeling good. (Spurs coach) Gregg Popovich
said, 'Kurt, you should play as long as you can.' I'm just taking those words
and running with them.
"I've had great teammates, great coaches, made great friends that I'll have
forever. It's been an amazing ride. This is the best job in the world."
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