Etan Thomas, acquired in a trade with Minnesota, isn’t a savior. The 31-year-old power forward hasn’t even been a starter much of his NBA career.
Oklahoma City acquired Etan Thomas, left, in a trade with the Timberwolves. Thomas could help the Thunder with its biggest deficieny — interior defense.
But if he can stay healthy, Thomas could help address the Thunder’s biggest deficiency — interior play.
One stat from last season underscores the Thunder’s small margin for error in the paint.
Oklahoma City was 19-27 when it out-rebounded opponents, 4-32 when it lost the battle on the boards.
That startling stat is representative of a bigger issue more than to suggest rebounding is the end-all, be-all for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City lacks an inside presence, which is Thomas’ strengths. During his seven-year career he’s been assigned the dirty in-the-paint jobs.
Thomas is a chiseled body accustomed to drawing the assignment of guarding the league’s elite big men, something the Thunder sorely lacks.
The all-time shot block leader in Syracuse history, Thomas averaged 3.6 blocks during his four seasons under coach Jim Boheim. He’s averaged 1.0 blocks in 373 NBA games.
Thomas has averaged around 5.0 rebounds in 373 NBA games. While that doesn’t sound like a difference maker, it’s more noteworthy considering he has averaged only 18 minutes.
If Thomas provides 15 to 20 minutes of much needed inside muscle, it could be invaluable on a team full of scorers and young players who excel in transition.
Thomas’ influence might be invaluable in the locker room. He’s played in 20 playoff games, experiences he can pass along to the organization’s foundation pieces — Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
On a roster full of 25-and-under players, Thomas also can impart off-the-court wisdom.
Thomas wrote a poetry book that addresses hot-button political issues such as war, racism and the death penalty. He’s been lauded for his work in juvenile prisons and inner city schools in the Washington, D.C., area.
But for Thomas to make any contribution, he must first remain healthy. He missed the entire 2007-08 season after undergoing surgery for a heart ailment.
After Mayo clinic doctors repaired a leak in his aortic valve, Thomas returned at full strength last season only to miss the final three months after he suffered a torn knee ligament.
Even though he now lives in the nation’s capital, Thomas is returning "home,” having led Tulsa Washington to two state titles in the 1990s.
Interior play is the one area general manager Sam Presti must address for the Thunder to become a viable threat in the Western Conference in the next two or three seasons. In the meantime, Thomas could provide some help, even if it’s a role off the bench.
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