Tim Thomas corrals the ball on the perimeter, puts his head down, and elevates for a thunderous one-handed slam against the New Jersey Nets on January 31, 2002. The 6'10" forward arrived in the league with generational expectations after being selected seventh overall out of Villanova, and his raw athleticism and soft shooting touch made him one of the league's most tantalizing talents. Teammate Ray Allen once said Thomas could be the best player in the league if he wanted to, and nights like this reminded everyone of the electric ability that defined his 13-year, 824-game career. · Feb 1, 2002