San Antonio (3-5) at Sacramento (4-6)

[SacKingZZZ]

I thought Jason's driving ability was what jumped off the page the most in the summer league. And I think this activity and motor have jumped off the page the most so far in the regular season. But regardless, I think his face-up game will be his best offensive option in the future, and quite easily.

And David West is the second best player on a damn good basketball team and will likely be a border-line all-star for a while. He was the only other guy on the Hornets who could create his own shot last year in the playoffs, and that almost got them to the WCF.

Sure Jason is unique at getting to the basket but there are still questions about his ability to finish from that position. The thing I was most excited about his driving skill was his ability to dish it back out. When he drives to the hoop from the power position there usually isn't enough of a gap between he and his man. Like I said that may have more to do with his dependence on his right hand at this point. He drives left and tries to finish with his right, which is a very unique shot but predictable after awhile. Sure his motor, hustle, etc. jump out too but I am talking from a skill standpoint. Reggie Evans has a "great motor" but that doesn't mean he is going to be some teams future at PF.

And David West is average in terms of skill, pretty good all around type and a great shooter for a PF, like Jason hopefully becomes, and he almost plays like a bit of a role player. It's amazing what a system and a PG will do.

[SacKingZZZ]

Thompson's footspeed and ballhandling is what stands out right now. He had trouble finishing over Duncan today, but who doesn't? I'd much, much rather have him slashing against 4's, than posting up 3's but giving up 20+ points the other way. By the way, starting Finley at SF was a brilliant move by Pop, JT could not stay anywhere near him off the ball, through screens, on back cuts, etc. Starting to see a trend here, Thornton, Grant Hill, and now Finley. Reverse Nellie-ball is still a gimmick and a defensive liability.

Moore needs to be traded so we can start JT at his natural position. Getting him minutes is pointless if he can't get experience that will actually help him. Oh yeah, and Spencer needs more opportunities in the low post, he needs to be the focus of the second unit.

I don't recall Finley beating Jason all that much. In fact early on the help defense was pretty good. Oddly enough Finley really got going when Salmons was defending him.

With every matchup so far I can probably count on one hand the number of times Jason was beaten off the dribble for a higher than normal percentage shot. Now if we are going to leave that 3 point line open for spot shooters then that's going to happen. And that happening isn't anything new. We were just as bad guarding the 3 point line last year and this year with every other lineup we've thrown out there. It's moreso a problem strategically than anything else. Thornton went off for 20 but he also shot 37%. You'll take that just about every game if you can get it.

[KF10]

Maybe, so far his driving ability hasn't jumped off the page. It didn't in summer league either. He'll get past his man but because of the length most bigs in the NBA possess he will still be challenged at the hoop. Now that may be partly because he is so dependent on his right hand and he is an out of control rookie for the most part . We'll see.

Now his lateral movement on defense and his speed in the open court have jumped off the page.

And you bring up David West, who is an "average-y" type of player. That could be where Jason falls into at the end of the day. Of course he's different than West in how he plays the game and how he could be used one day.

Really? Like mitch said I thought his driving abilities has jumped off the page. It did actually showed in the summer league. His speed and quickness from one point from the court to the other is really mind boggling for a PF. There was even a Utah scout that compared his quickness to get to one point to the other to Karl Malone. Karl Malone! You know you are good when you are compared to the Mailman. Well, this is his rookie season, I don't really expect much from him just yet...But when given a shot, he is really promising with strengths IMO.

Well, both West and Thompson are face up PFs that can create off the dribble. (Well, Thompson isn't there yet but we have seen flashes though with his speed/quickness overall). Has several array of offensive weapons. Hooks, jumpers, turnaround jumpers and etc. But the only thing West has is his physicality in general. Thompson IMO is kinda soft around the post. He has to show toughness and physicality to be THAT player like West... You can say he has a hint of Rasheed Wallace in him as well. (JT even compared himself with him iirc).

What other options are there for us? K. Mart and Garcia are both out. Beno and Salmons are already starting, meaning
one of
Bobby Brown
Bobby Jackson
Quincy Douby
Donte Greene
Jason Thompson

will have to be starting, in my opinion, I'd rather have Thompson play a position that isn't suited for him over the other options.

Well, you have a point. But I just don't like the idea. Opposing SFs just abused Thompson when he is starting SF for us. Grant Hill, Al Thornton, and and etc... Just an idea I just don't really like...Eh, even though Donte Greene hasn't really play for us, I think he should get a chance for that SF position IMO. Greene is supposedly 6'10''-ish himself, he is a mismatched against opposing SFs regardless.

[SacKingZZZ]

Really? Like mitch said I thought his driving abilities has jumped off the page. It did actually showed in the summer league. His speed and quickness from one point from the court to the other is really mind boggling for a PF. There was even a Utah scout that compared his quickness to get to one point to the other to Karl Malone. Karl Malone! You know you are good when you are compared to the Mailman. Well, this is his rookie season, I don't really expect much from him just yet...But when given a shot, he is really promising with strengths IMO.

Well, both West and Thompson are face up PFs that can create off the dribble. (Well, Thompson isn't there yet but we have seen flashes though with his speed/quickness overall). Has several array of offensive weapons. Hooks, jumpers, turnaround jumpers and etc. But the only thing West has is his physicality in general. Thompson IMO is kinda soft around the post. He has to show toughness and physicality to be THAT player like West... You can say he has a hint of Rasheed Wallace in him as well. (JT even compared himself with him iirc).

His speed jumped off the page, but his driving ability didn't really result in much success. It could in time, we'll see. Getting from one end of the court to the other, and starting the break is different than driving to the hoop. Sure he can drive but the only question I have have is what consistent good will come out of it?

West is actually a tad bit slower than you'd think. Jason definitely has him there.

[SacKingZZZ]

Well, you have a point. But I just don't like the idea. Opposing SFs just abused Thompson when he is starting SF for us. Grant Hill, Al Thornton, and and etc... Just an idea I just don't really like...Eh, even though Donte Greene hasn't really play for us, I think he should get a chance for that SF position IMO. Greene is supposedly 6'10''-ish himself, he is a mismatched against opposing SFs regardless.

Yeah but in a different way. Donte plays like a wing. As I said around draft time his mismatch would most likely come at the PF spot thanks to his speed and perimeter abilities. Jason plays like a PF. My thoughts on the mismatch with Jason are that he plays like a true banger and can physically exert his dominance on his defender while giving up less on defense and in shooting ability than any other player you'd most likely be able to put on the floor that could do the same

[KF10]

His speed jumped off the page, but his driving ability didn't really result in much success. It could in time, we'll see. Getting to one end of the court to the other, and starting the break is different than driving to the hoop. Sure he can drive but the only question I have have is what consistent good will come out of it?

West is actually a tad bit slower than you'd think. Jason definitely has him there.

Yeah, I do agree with you about the driving abilities. I accidentally misread your post. I was under the assumption that you said that both his speed/driving abilities weren't on page. I was like "Umm, ok..." But yeah, his speed is evident.

Well, when Thompson drives to the hoop, he either loses the ball, doesn't really finish that well. Just overall, he is not there...yet.

West is a bit slower than Thompson, true. But due to his somewhat of a "large" frame, explains it IMO. In contrast to Thompson, who has a VERY similar frame to LaMarcus Aldridge.

[KF10]

Yeah but in a different way. Donte plays like a wing. As I said around draft time his mismatch would most likely come at the PF spot thanks to his speed and perimeter abilities. Jason plays like a PF. My thoughts on the mismatch with Jason are that he plays like a true banger and can physically exert his dominance on his defender while giving up less on defense and in shooting ability than any other player you'd most likely be able to put on the floor that could do the same

Well yeah, Donte plays like a wing. Isn't Donte's natural position SF anyways? I do like the idea to create a mismatch for Donte in the PF position but it is likely that he will get killed by PFs when Donte's defending them. Kind of the similar way when Thompson was getting torched by various SF. It is really a double edge sword principle. The only way to counter act that scenario is that we have to play strictly Zone defense IMO. By that, our mismatch deficiencies won't be revealed THAT much.