Milwaukee Bucks forward Tim Thomas said last week in an interview he was thrilled about the changes the team has made and explained why he was mad at coach George Karl at the end of last season.

Thomas emphasized he does not consider his problem with Karl to be a serious rift.

The Bucks forward, in a wide-ranging interview aired on WAUK Radio (1510 AM), praised draft pick T.J. Ford and implied a criticism of departed point guard Sam Cassell. Thomas also said he didn't have to worry about pleasing any more egos on the team.

"I'm happy, I'm excited," Thomas told Steve Haywood and Bill Johnson of WAUK, when asked about the drafting of Ford, the departure of Cassell and Ervin Johnson and the acquisition of Minnesota's Joe Smith, his former teammate in Philadelphia. "I've never been in this position before. I think it's going to be good for me.

"Like they say, good things come to those who wait," Thomas said. "I've been waiting a long time to be in this position, where I can go out and shoot the ball whenever I feel like it, basically."

Thomas said he was eager for the season to begin.