Bye-Bye Billy, Lance
With the additions of J.J. Hickson, Mo Williams, Tarence Kinsey and the recent re-signing of Delonte West, the Cleveland Cavaliers are now 15-players deep. Unfortunately, this means the end of two of last season’s 15, Lance Allred and Billy Thomas.
Thomas has since signed to play in Greece, so he’ll at least have some playing time this season. Allred is known more for his feel-good story that was originally brought to us by one of the better interviews I’ve read thanks to Matt Moore over at Hardwood Paroxysm. I still can’t get over the fact that he is legally deaf, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Great guy, just not enough roster spaces for him to be in Cleveland any longer. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Regardless, I highly recommend checking out the interview if you hadn’t already. You can’t help but wish Allred the best.
NBA notes: Cavaliers waive Thomas to trim roster to 15 [News Herald]
NBA D-League Profiles: Lance Allred [Hardwood Paroxysm]
September 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
isn’t he writing books too?
September 15th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I won’t miss them too much, but having Allred was cool. We may not have a NBA Championship, but we had the first legally deaf guy in the NBA. and I’m gonna miss Billy Thomas chuck up all those 3’s lol.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Whip, are you thinking of Paul Shirley?
September 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Per Wikipedia:
“Allred is currently writing two books, a 14th century historical novel and a Victorian satire. In May 2008, it was announced HarperCollins is intending to publish Allred’s memoirs in an as-yet untitled biography. Two years in the works, it will focus on his early years in a polygamous sect and overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder and legal deafness to reach the NBA. It is due out around Christmas or early 2009″
September 15th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Billy, my alltime favorite Jayhawk, has signed a guaranteed contract to play in Greece. Not that anyone other than me cared: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/sep/15/exjayhawk_thomas_headed_greece/?mens_basketball
September 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
TD: You’re mistaken. I care quite a bit about Billy Thomas. Sad to see him go.