Jason Thompson or Carl Landry?

[solipsistalien]

Hey, Magic Fan here, and I was wondering which of the two power forwards you value more. You're already set at center with Dalembert and Cousins, and so naturally Landry and Thompson would now have to share time at the 4. Just wondering which guy you value more and what would you want in return (not from Magic, but from like any team and what type of player)

[sacking101]

Personally I feel that landry is the better player even though he is undersized. Thompson is definitely a better rebounder and has the size though. Having 4 guys that can easily be in our rotation one of them is gonna get screwed (at least until the deadline). I think that westphal is high on landry as well though so i feel like thompson may be the odd man out. Unless somehow we are in the playoff race by the deadline, if a good-decent deal comes along I think there's a good chance we see dalembert getting traded. That would give us about half a season to see which of landry or thompson will be our future 4 next to cousins. And to answer your other question I dont think either of them are on the block unless an undeniable trade comes up.

[SacKingZZZ]

Whoever looks better next to Cousins. I still think Thompson has more value as a trade chip. Still, if neither look good next to Cousins, they can both go. Unless one or the other really turns into that legit partner for Reke of course.

If either go I see it in a bigger deal for legit star type. That or maybe a move for another 1st (lotto area) rounder if simply for glut clearing purposes.

[wiltchamberlain]

Whoever looks better next to Cousins. I still think Thompson has more value as a trade chip. Still, if neither look good next to Cousins, they can both go. Unless one or the other really turns into that legit partner for Reke of course.

If either go I see it in a bigger deal for legit star type. That or maybe a move for another 1st (lotto area) rounder if simply for glut clearing purposes.

I agree with this. I do think however that Landry will end up looking best next to Cousins. I think Landry and Cousins skills best compliment each other as of right now, and I think Landry's biggest downside (rebounding) will be taken care of by Cousins.

[longfellow44]

Honestly i dont think either guy is on his way out.

I think dalembert will only be a half season with the kings and will Be traded at the deadline.

That means that thompson will go back to seeing minutes at center. He did rather well at center at the end of last season. I could see him being tye super sub type backing up both pf and c. That means that we will likely resign landry next summer to continue as our starter. And that will be fine because the kings have whiteside locked into a cheap deal for 4 years so we can affors to develop him slowly and find him minutes as the 4th big as they come and as he earns them.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

I see Jason Thompson as Udonis Haslem 2.0

which is really good

[pillwenney]

I see Jason Thompson as Udonis Haslem 2.0

which is really good

Ehh...JT isn't nearly the individual defender Haslem is, but he can do more things offensively.

[wiltchamberlain]

I see Jason Thompson as Udonis Haslem 2.0

which is really good

Would you care to explain this? Both can shoot from mid range (udonis is a bit better I think), other than that I'm not quite sure I see the similarities.

[SacKingZZZ]

I see Jason Thompson as Udonis Haslem 2.0

which is really good

Ehh...JT isn't nearly the individual defender Haslem is, but he can do more things offensively.

And JT is also way bigger. I think a Haslem level player is about what he is though.

[KiNgSbOi]

I prefer Jason Thompson personally. Jason is only getting better and you can see it in his gameplay his last two years. He improved on the defensive end and he can only go up. He also rebounds very well, only his problem is he has to do it consistently on a night to night basis. One thing he never lacks is energy energy energy & hustle hustle hustle. Carl does those things too, but I just feel Carl is at a disadvantage being the he is only 6'7. I love Carl's intangibles, he's tough, can score in the low block, he will body you. It's just a shame he isn't couple inches taller, because he really gets exposed when guarding many of the PFs in the league, and it's not like he doesn't try. Overall, I see Jason as that big off the bench and/or starting that are just perfect for those teams that win big in the playoffs.

[wiltchamberlain]

I prefer Jason Thompson personally. Jason is only getting better and you can see it in his gameplay his last two years. He improved on the defensive end and he can only go up. He also rebounds very well, only his problem is he has to do it consistently on a night to night basis. One thing he never lacks is energy energy energy & hustle hustle hustle. Carl does those things too, but I just feel Carl is at a disadvantage being the he is only 6'7. I love Carl's intangibles, he's tough, can score in the low block, he will body you. It's just a shame he isn't couple inches taller, because he really gets exposed when guarding many of the PFs in the league, and it's not like he doesn't try. Overall, I see Jason as that big off the bench and/or starting that are just perfect for those teams that win big in the playoffs.

I agree with some of this, and disagree with some as well. Firstly I agree with your general assessment of Thompson, but I do think his lack of defense (or more accurately his propensity to foul foolishly) is troubling. He certainly gives his all on defense but he doesn't seem to be getting smarter on the defensive side.

As far as Carl goes I agree with just about everything said. It's too bad really you couldn't combine the two. Thompson's physical attributes and athleticism, mixed with Landry's skills, and smarts.

All this being said I feel like the best rotation (presuming Cousins eventually plays like we think he will) is Cousins and Landry starting, with Thompson on the bench. I think Landry and Cousins skill sets best suit each other and Thompson can do things off the bench Carl can't.

All this being said if I were forced to choose I would take Landry over Thompson, I feel like he's the one best suited to start, and really a team like the Kings needs to cement it's starters before worrying about the bench.

[KiNgSbOi]

I prefer Jason Thompson personally. Jason is only getting better and you can see it in his gameplay his last two years. He improved on the defensive end and he can only go up. He also rebounds very well, only his problem is he has to do it consistently on a night to night basis. One thing he never lacks is energy energy energy & hustle hustle hustle. Carl does those things too, but I just feel Carl is at a disadvantage being the he is only 6'7. I love Carl's intangibles, he's tough, can score in the low block, he will body you. It's just a shame he isn't couple inches taller, because he really gets exposed when guarding many of the PFs in the league, and it's not like he doesn't try. Overall, I see Jason as that big off the bench and/or starting that are just perfect for those teams that win big in the playoffs.

I agree with some of this, and disagree with some as well. Firstly I agree with your general assessment of Thompson, but I do think his lack of defense (or more accurately his propensity to foul foolishly) is troubling. He certainly gives his all on defense but he doesn't seem to be getting smarter on the defensive side.

As far as Carl goes I agree with just about everything said. It's too bad really you couldn't combine the two. Thompson's physical attributes and athleticism, mixed with Landry's skills, and smarts.

All this being said I feel like the best rotation (presuming Cousins eventually plays like we think he will) is Cousins and Landry starting, with Thompson on the bench. I think Landry and Cousins skill sets best suit each other and Thompson can do things off the bench Carl can't.

All this being said if I were forced to choose I would take Landry over Thompson, I feel like he's the one best suited to start, and really a team like the Kings needs to cement it's starters before worrying about the bench.

While all true regarding Thompson's IQ when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, I saw flashes of him containing himself last year. Getting blocks without fouling, moving his feet, etc. I think he has the will & push to learn and learn and he will only get better with repetition. As for Carl, we pretty much know what we are getting out of him, solid 15-16 pts. and 4-5 rbs. with JT, it's an unknown still, but with consistency and hard offseason training, I don't see how he can't be a impact player for this team whether it's off the bench or as a starter.

[wiltchamberlain]

While all true regarding Thompson's IQ when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, I saw flashes of him containing himself last year. Getting blocks without fouling, moving his feet, etc. I think he has the will & push to learn and learn and he will only get better with repetition. As for Carl, we pretty much know what we are getting out of him, solid 15-16 pts. and 4-5 rbs. with JT, it's an unknown still, but with consistency and hard offseason training, I don't see how he can't be a impact player for this team whether it's off the bench or as a starter.

I see flashes too, but for every flash of good, there's at least a couple of serious mistakes. It would be one thing if the mistakes he made had to with something intricate or complicated, instead many of his mistakes are centered on fundamental pieces of the game (playing defense with your feet, not your hands) that he should have learned years ago (remember he was a Senior when he got drafted.).

I certainly agree Jason can and will be an impact player, and I also agree that it's certainly possible, even likely, he's going to improve some over training camp.

[twoolfork1]

These two guys are really close right now. Its gonna be a big season for both these guys. I think as the season goes on it will become clear who should start. As of right now its clear that Carl is currently the better, more complete offensive player while Jason Thompson is the superior rebounder/defender. So as far as which should start it depends which our team needs more. Right now the most NBA ready, competitive frontcourt we could start is Dalembert at Center and Landry at PF. However, I think our best long-term frontcourt is Cousins/Thompson starting so we'll see what happens at the beginning of the season and how long we stick with the lineup.

[KiNgSbOi]

While all true regarding Thompson's IQ when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, I saw flashes of him containing himself last year. Getting blocks without fouling, moving his feet, etc. I think he has the will & push to learn and learn and he will only get better with repetition. As for Carl, we pretty much know what we are getting out of him, solid 15-16 pts. and 4-5 rbs. with JT, it's an unknown still, but with consistency and hard offseason training, I don't see how he can't be a impact player for this team whether it's off the bench or as a starter.

I see flashes too, but for every flash of good, there's at least a couple of serious mistakes. It would be one thing if the mistakes he made had to with something intricate or complicated, instead many of his mistakes are centered on fundamental pieces of the game (playing defense with your feet, not your hands) that he should have learned years ago (remember he was a Senior when he got drafted.).

I certainly agree Jason can and will be an impact player, and I also agree that it's certainly possible, even likely, he's going to improve some over training camp.

You would hope he will start to "get it" in his third year.

[wiltchamberlain]

While all true regarding Thompson's IQ when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, I saw flashes of him containing himself last year. Getting blocks without fouling, moving his feet, etc. I think he has the will & push to learn and learn and he will only get better with repetition. As for Carl, we pretty much know what we are getting out of him, solid 15-16 pts. and 4-5 rbs. with JT, it's an unknown still, but with consistency and hard offseason training, I don't see how he can't be a impact player for this team whether it's off the bench or as a starter.

I see flashes too, but for every flash of good, there's at least a couple of serious mistakes. It would be one thing if the mistakes he made had to with something intricate or complicated, instead many of his mistakes are centered on fundamental pieces of the game (playing defense with your feet, not your hands) that he should have learned years ago (remember he was a Senior when he got drafted.).

I certainly agree Jason can and will be an impact player, and I also agree that it's certainly possible, even likely, he's going to improve some over training camp.

You would hope he will start to "get it" in his third year.

Exactly right. Maybe he will, maybe he won't, but the clock is ticking. It could be the difference between him being a very solid serviceable/solid first big off the bench, and a really great player.

[KiNgSbOi]

We will have to see this upcoming season how he progresses as a player and make further evaluation from there.

[SacKingZZZ]

3rd seasons are usually the season where you can pretty much gather with enough certainty all the information you need on what a player is, or will become.

[wiltchamberlain]

3rd seasons are usually the season where you can pretty much gather with enough certainty all the information you need on what a player is, or will become.

I agree. This will be a big year for him.

[ICMTM]

I don't see where we need to say we need one OR the other. I really feel that Jason Thompson will be a 10/10 guy this season based on just experience alone. If he can become an above average defender consistently (because on some nights he's very good, others he's an idiot).

I also think that offensively Carl is a better player. The only drawback to this is he can't do it night in and out and can't do it against premier PF's. He has the skill, just not the frame. Why not match him up against guys that are like him, which is the other team's 2nd unit? I just feel they both play the 4 but after that they aren't the same player. I see value in both of them. If one has to start and get all the minutes I'd pick JT over Landry, BUT I wouldn't like that scenario. They both need 24/30 minutes on the floor. It doesn't have to be together but it can be!