Over and Under on Jason Thompson Starting

[Entity]

With Jason Thompson averaging 13.3pts 7.3reb 1ast and 1blk shooting 60%fg and 100% FT in 21.41 min (leads team in FT% and qualifies FG%)

and Mikki Moore averaging 6pts 1reb .7ast and 0blks shooting 67%fg and 74%FT in 19.41 min (leads team in hair)

I am putting the over and under date at November 29th when Jason Thompson takes over as the starting PF.

Which would you place your bet on (if this was a true bet)? Explain

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I think the same day Brad Miller Miller comes back, Thompson will be starting .. Just so they dont have to shufle the starting lineup so many times .. This is also assuming Thompson continues to play how he has been playing the next 2 games

 

[nebs]

I think he'll be starting before then. Hopefully by opening night at Arco.

 

[Jechtsphere]

He'll be starting by November 14th I think.

 

[VF21]

When he WILL start and when I think he SHOULD start are two totally different things. I've watched this organization for a very long time and I don't see them throwing Jason Thompson - a rookie - into the starting lineup unless injuries force them to do so. Quite frankly, I think how many minutes he gets is a lot more important than whether or not he starts. Once Brad is back, I think the rotations will shift a bit and Jason will get enough time to grow into his role without getting so much time that he gets worn out.

Baby steps, folks.

 

[SCKingsfan]

he's played well, but he will be up and down in the early season, as most rookies are. I can see him getting starts here and there, but not consistently in the first month or so. I guess it's whether we are talking about getting "a" start here and there at PF or being our "starter."

 

[6th]

When will he start?........after
When do I want him to start?.........before

Based on the question, as written, I had to vote "after."

 

[Jechtsphere]

well if Mikki is going to give us 6 points and 2 rebounds a game he will be starting a lot sooner.

 

[NewMonkey]

When he WILL start and when I think he SHOULD start are two totally different things. I've watched this organization for a very long time and I don't see them throwing Jason Thompson - a rookie - into the starting lineup unless injuries force them to do so. Quite frankly, I think how many minutes he gets is a lot more important than whether or not he starts. Once Brad is back, I think the rotations will shift a bit and Jason will get enough time to grow into his role without getting so much time that he gets worn out.

Baby steps, folks.

Agreed. I think we're looking at midseason if keeps up this level of production. Everyone should keep in mind that Thompson is already playing more minutes than Mikki Moore.

 

[Warhawk]

Where is an option for "The day Moore is traded" or "The day Miller is traded"?

I think the vets will probably start for quite a while, but any trades would hasten that schedule....

You notice I didn't have a KT trade thrown in there - unfortunately I doubt it could happen. And that wouldn't affect JT's time/starter status anyways.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Moore doesn't need to be traded; I'd be perfectly fine with him coming off the bench. Miller should be traded, hopefully for prospects and/or draft picks.

 

[HighTopKicks]

IMHO, Theus will continue to start Moore for a couple of week after Miller returns if only to see whom works best with Miller (Mikki or JT). If JT continues to perform then I think Theus will be true to his word and start the player that rebounds best. Miller only averaged 1 offensive rebound last year, which is expected based on where he plays from in the offense. And, Mikki only averaged 2 offensive and 4 defensive rebounds last year. But even more importantly, both Miller and Moore are slow and provide poor help defense in the paint. That's why Theus will start JT before Thanksgiving. Then Mikki comes off the bench when someone gets into foul trouble.

I'm also amazed at the amount of posts criticisizing the Kings defense while at the same time ridiculing Williams for his offense. So, he's not smooth or even efficient when it comes to offense, but he was drafted based on his defensive skills in the paint, which is something we desperately need. Spenser simply isn't aggressive in the paint while Williams with his limited minutes is third in FTA's and Spenser only has 3 attempts in 3 games. And, if it wasn't for Williams's toughness and ability to battle the bigs we've played against, Spenser would have fouled out of every game. That's why I think Spenser and Shelden should be teamed together. And, Mikki should be third in the depth chart at the center and pf.

 

[rhythmless]

When he WILL start and when I think he SHOULD start are two totally different things. I've watched this organization for a very long time and I don't see them throwing Jason Thompson - a rookie - into the starting lineup unless injuries force them to do so. Quite frankly, I think how many minutes he gets is a lot more important than whether or not he starts. Once Brad is back, I think the rotations will shift a bit and Jason will get enough time to grow into his role without getting so much time that he gets worn out.

Baby steps, folks.

I normally disagree with your mentality on this team, but in this instance, I echo your sentiments completely. As long as Thompson continues to increase his minute played, starting him or not starting him will not make him a better player. On the contrary, benching a vet for a rookie will probably make the vet a WORSE player. Being a rookie, Thompson is not necessarily looking to "need" the starting gig. Some players "need" that starting position to validate themselves and play hard (Salmons, for instance). If you're giving a rookie on the bench a valuable 24+ minutes, while at the same time keeping your vet egos coaxed, I don't see a problem.

edit: Also, starting a game is a different mentality than coming in off the bench. Some people thrive in a starting pos, while some find it more comfortable to be coming off the bench. For a rookie to come into an NBA game, you don't need to put more pressure on him unless he specifically asks and wants it. In addition, your starters are not necessarily your best 5 players. Usually, but not always. Manu comes to mind. Thompson has already demonstrated that he will get his minutes, and deservedly so.

 

[tradepeja]

Theus says before every game, "I'm going to play whatever big plays defense and rebounds." Three straight games, JT has done more of both than Moore but continues to get less minutes.

So far he has been a hypocrite, and I only see him staying one unless something drastic happens. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Entity]

Theus says before every game, "I'm going to play whatever big plays defense and rebounds." Three straight games, JT has done more of both than Moore but continues to get less minutes.

So far he has been a hypocrite, and I only see him staying one unless something drastic happens. I hope I'm wrong though.

Actually no. I want JT to start and all that but, He is already getting more min. than Mikki. he is averaging 21min and Mikki averages 19. What I do not understand is that KT getting 6 or 7 min.

 

[HighTopKicks]

I normally disagree with your mentality on this team, but in this instance, I echo your sentiments completely. As long as Thompson continues to increase his minute played, starting him or not starting him will not make him a better player. On the contrary, benching a vet for a rookie will probably make the vet a WORSE player. Being a rookie, Thompson is not necessarily looking to "need" the starting gig. Some players "need" that starting position to validate themselves and play hard (Salmons, for instance). If you're giving a rookie on the bench a valuable 24+ minutes, while at the same time keeping your vet egos coaxed, I don't see a problem.

edit: Also, starting a game is a different mentality than coming in off the bench. Some people thrive in a starting pos, while some find it more comfortable to be coming off the bench. For a rookie to come into an NBA game, you don't need to put more pressure on him unless he specifically asks and wants it. In addition, your starters are not necessarily your best 5 players. Usually, but not always. Manu comes to mind. Thompson has already demonstrated that he will get his minutes, and deservedly so.

Ridiculous, if Moore's production went down who would notice. With that logic maybe we should start K9 to keep his spirits up. Moore's been around a long time and a backup most of it, he can see how JT plays and he should know that his time as a starter is coming to a close.

Theus's mandate is to win & develop the rookies. If he continues to play the best PF he has in any position other than starter then he will be fired. Moore's best chance to put up decent numbers to extend his career is as the backup where he wouldn't be embarrassed by the oppositions starters, and where he wouldn't be a detriment to our interior defense.

 

[bajaden]

Moore doesn't need to be traded; I'd be perfectly fine with him coming off the bench. Miller should be traded, hopefully for prospects and/or draft picks.

We just played a team that could use Miller. The Heat! The thing is, who do they have that we want and could make the salaries match. I'm sure they would love to have him, and I think he would be a good fit for their team.

 

[bajaden]

I normally disagree with your mentality on this team, but in this instance, I echo your sentiments completely. As long as Thompson continues to increase his minute played, starting him or not starting him will not make him a better player. On the contrary, benching a vet for a rookie will probably make the vet a WORSE player. Being a rookie, Thompson is not necessarily looking to "need" the starting gig. Some players "need" that starting position to validate themselves and play hard (Salmons, for instance). If you're giving a rookie on the bench a valuable 24+ minutes, while at the same time keeping your vet egos coaxed, I don't see a problem.

edit: Also, starting a game is a different mentality than coming in off the bench. Some people thrive in a starting pos, while some find it more comfortable to be coming off the bench. For a rookie to come into an NBA game, you don't need to put more pressure on him unless he specifically asks and wants it. In addition, your starters are not necessarily your best 5 players. Usually, but not always. Manu comes to mind. Thompson has already demonstrated that he will get his minutes, and deservedly so.

I guess the question is, what is your reason for starting him? If its because you think the team would be better with him in the lineup at the beginning of the game, then start him. If your doing so just to try and insure his playing time, then I'm not sure its necessary.

 

[Kev.in]

I think the same day Brad Miller Miller comes back, Thompson will be starting ..

I thought about that too. Theus is in the paper saying it's hard to take a veteran's starting spot but what I had in mind is that Spencer is starting already in place of Miller. The young guys make mistakes and even though Thompson is outplaying Moore in every facet of the game, he has been out of place on defense on occaision and he tried to lead the break a few times. If he was starting with Hawes it would be a little risky and maybe the other team would target our young guys, try to take advantage of their inexperience and get them into foul trouble. With Moore in there, at least we have a guy who can hack a few times and then come out of the game and it won't hurt his confidence because that's what he's been doing most of his career.

Miller stabilizes our offense, so I think Thompson is a good fit next to him in the lineup. Then Hawes can come off the bench and get most of the backup big man minutes because he can play with Thompson or Miller.
But that's just what I think and would hope to see happen.

So realistically I don't think it will be that easy of a transition and it could take weeks. Theus does have a point about unseating a starting vet, if he would just drop Moore to the bench after 3, 5 or even 10 games it sets kind of a bad precedent. Moore can start, but if he's not producing then his minutes can shrink and shrink. Thompson could play 25mpg off the bench and be on the floor during crunch time and that would be good for his development as well.

 

[est.1999]

^^ funny how your signiture contradics your post haha j/k

 

[Prince_XY]

Since Thompson can run, has perimeter shot, and is very agile - I'd say we should start him at #3, instead of #4. This will enable us to get Hawes to start at #4 ( which he can pretty much play ) at the same time we have Miller at #5.

Now, that is a very potent frontline. Each one can rake in double digit rebound and at least 1 block per game.

Actually, I think the Kings are very much set on its frontliners. We can now do without playing Moore and Thomas at #4, or even Salmons on #3. I really think Salmons would do better at #2 coming off the bench for Martin, so they can dominate the ball without interfering with each other. Besides, if we are to build an elite team - Salmons will be too small to match other elite teams player at #3.

#5 Miller ( 7' 0" ) - 30 min. SUB: Hawes ( 7' 0" ) - 18 min

#4 Hawes ( 7' 0" ) - 12 min SUB : Thompson ( 6' 11" ) - 18 min ; Williams ( 6' 9" ) - 12 min.

#3 Thompson ( 6' 11" ) - 12 min SUB: Greene ( 6' 11" ) - 24 min ; Williams ( 6' 9" ) - 12 min.

 

[NewMonkey]

Theus says before every game, "I'm going to play whatever big plays defense and rebounds." Three straight games, JT has done more of both than Moore but continues to get less minutes.

So far he has been a hypocrite, and I only see him staying one unless something drastic happens. I hope I'm wrong though.

Thompson has actually played more minutes than Mikki in all three games this season.

 

[Kingster]

It's the minutes...

More important than starting, JT should get the minutes - 40 of them per game, if he can stay out of foul trouble. Miki is worthless out there. If you replay the game and watch him, it's pretty pathetic. He does a lot of "watching" out there, not going to the ball, not coming hard to help out. Thompson is better than Miki right now, and will be light years better than him in a couple of years.

Will they play JT 40 minutes a game? THAT is the question. Probably not, but they sure should. What's the point of waiting?

 

[Gary]

After.. If at all.. You probably wont see Theus playing a rookie unless it's necessary.

 

[rhythmless]

Since Thompson can run, has perimeter shot, and is very agile - I'd say we should start him at #3, instead of #4. This will enable us to get Hawes to start at #4 ( which he can pretty much play ) at the same time we have Miller at #5.

Thompson is agile for a POWER FORWARD. He is definitely not agile at the swing position, nor should he be there. Theus has used Thompson a little at the 3, and I have failed to see him be successful there. Thompson is a 4. He has quickness and agility at the 4, and at the 4 is where his advantages lie. Kidd can rebound very well, but no one starts him at the 4, right?

As for playing Thompson 40 minutes... I highly doubt that even if he was given 40, he would be able to produce effectively in 40 minutes for 82 games. Do not forget that the college season is much different than an NBA season. Even rookies with moderate playing time fall victim to the "wall" towards the end of the season. Giving a rookie not named lebron, howard, etc not just starter minutes, but star minutes is just asking for it.

 

[gunks]

Yep...40 is a lot for any player, let alone a rook.

I'd like to see him in the mid to high 20's a game. If he doesnt really slow down or show signs of hitting 'the wall' after the allstar break get him in the 30's to finish out the season.

 

[ZZE916]

Theus's mandate is to win & develop the rookies.

And that's the problem. Two seemingly contradictory mandates. Playing to win may slow the development of the rookies. Developing the rookies may lead to fewer wins. My pick is develop the rookies.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Thompson is agile for a POWER FORWARD. He is definitely not agile at the swing position, nor should he be there. Theus has used Thompson a little at the 3, and I have failed to see him be successful there. Thompson is a 4. He has quickness and agility at the 4, and at the 4 is where his advantages lie. Kidd can rebound very well, but no one starts him at the 4, right?

As for playing Thompson 40 minutes... I highly doubt that even if he was given 40, he would be able to produce effectively in 40 minutes for 82 games. Do not forget that the college season is much different than an NBA season. Even rookies with moderate playing time fall victim to the "wall" towards the end of the season. Giving a rookie not named lebron, howard, etc not just starter minutes, but star minutes is just asking for it.

I agree with pretty much all of this post. I'm okay with Thompson getting spot minutes at the 3 against certain SF's, but that's not his natural position. He's far better off exploiting his physical talents at the 4, with more spot minutes at 5.

Anyways, does anybody else find it crazy when Theus plays Beno, Greene, Thompson, Williams, and Hawes at the same time? That's a huge lineup, especially with Greene at the 2-guard spot. Moreover, why does he sometimes play super midget ball, with Beno, Bobby, Martin, Salmons, and Moore? Seriously, Salmons is not a power forward.

 

[Kingster]

Yep...40 is a lot for any player, let alone a rook.

I'd like to see him in the mid to high 20's a game. If he doesnt really slow down or show signs of hitting 'the wall' after the allstar break get him in the 30's to finish out the season.

Look, 40 minutes should be the goal. He obviously isn't going to play 40 min because of foul trouble, but the key is to have his foul trouble dictate how much he plays, not Theus's arbitrary standard of how much a rookie should play. If he fouls out after playing him 20 minutes for a half, so be it. What are we saving him for?

 

[CruzDude]

As much as many of us would like to see Jason start, it ain't gonna happen folks any time soon. Reggie's comments yesterday that ".... Mikki's position is secure for the ...... future" means that he will be the starter for awhile however long that is. Jason will get the minutes and likely the 20-25 a night so far and many once in awhile 30.

Jason is more talented and capable than Mikki without question. But a rookie, especially a rookie PF has a long learning period just to pickup the NBA nuances and get them into practice. The defensive sets are now 50 times more complex and now playing against a much higher level of player than what he encountered in college.

Jason is really good and might be great. But he has to earn those minutes and the learning process to earn minutes is gonna take awhile. Beside this year he has 82 games to play. At Rider he had maybe a max of 30-35 games and at much slower pace and far less physical.

I think it is all-star break before he may become the starter.