Jason Thompson

[riehldeal]

Just watched my tape of his game tonight vs Siena

Liked this player from the 1st time I saw him

Came away from the game with him further solidified on my big board right behind Budinger/Westbrook at #15....his average lateral quickness and vertical explosiveness prevent him from going any higher than that IMO (limits his def range/area as a reb and shot blk)....but, I really think that a minor tweak in his def stance (simply get lower) will do wonders for him out on the perimeter and helping on the P/R.....His skill level is CRAZY off the charts (most impressive 6'11+ ball handler I have ever seen, even better than say a KG)...great first step with the basketball...great passer out of post and in the open court...work horse and runs the court like a deer (light on his feet)

Physically and athletically I would compare him to Channing Frye but with more fluidity.... as a player, unlike Frye, Jason is just as comfortable inside (good footwork, excellent frame to work with, and use of both hands at the rim) as he is outside and is a terrific rebounder (although yes his vertical explosiveness is cause for a minor concern here).

Any thoughts? Anyone else see the game and/or agree/disagree?

And final note: the last piece of the puzzle is his measurements....I am comfortable with him at #15 but I am sure it would help others if he does in fact reach his listed height of 6'11 (even if in shoes)

[Downtown]

In a recent interview he said he's 6'11" in shoes and 250lbs.

The best comparison I can think of is Kevin McHale, and I say that as a compliment. If any of you used to watch McHale you know what I'm talking about. It's about the fundamentals and how to use them. And Jason Thompson has the fundamentals and is a senior, not a raw freshman.

Of course the #1 question that will surely follow him until he's drafted is how will he fare against better competition since he played his college ball in a less competitive league so there's not much to gauge him against?

I think a team like Memphis could use him if they can trade to get a pick in the high teens. They are rebuilding and Thompson and Marc Gasol might be a good pair to start with. Twin towers and Rudy Gay isn't going to break the bank, which is owner Michael Heisley's goal, or so it seems.

And if the Grizzlies end up with the #2 or #3 pick they may want to look into trading Conley to the Blazers and see if he could get them Rudy Fernandez and Portlands pick. The Blazers might jump on it because of the Conley/Oden relationship. Memphis then picks Bayless or Rose and also gets Thompson and Fernandez.

If you're starting from scratch you might as well go young all the way if saving money is important.

[riehldeal]

As for his competition, 2 things come to mind that help him

- performed very well against the better teams (NC St & Kansas St) on his team's schedule

- His team is horrible and he is the focal point of all opposing defenses (been this way for a couple of yrs now)....don't matter the level of comp when you are surrounded like he is and yet still perform

[Worm Guts]

The best comparison I can think of is Kevin McHale, and I say that as a compliment..

Unless you referencing his GM skills how else could you mean it, McHale was a hall of fame player.

[Silk Wilkes]

Did I hear a better ball handling big man that KG?!?!?

[riehldeal]

Did I hear a better ball handling big man that KG?!?!?

Yep. KG is somewhat more rigid and methodical. Jason's handle is pure and fluid

[riehldeal]

And to correct my original post......I have him at 16 not 15

[JonathanG]

that guy from the church league gave him a decent workout there in the first half. I'm interested to see how he would fare at the YMCA.

[riehldeal]

that guy from the church league gave him a decent workout there in the first half. I'm interested to see how he would fare at the YMCA.

Yeah, I have always found it interesting where you have him projected.....but then I remember that you are just another amateur like myself and we all have our opinions

NC st & K St better than YMCA???

[JonathanG]

did you watch those games?

[riehldeal]

did you watch those games?

NC St yes

If 6'11, I just don't get where you have him, regardless of competition....I don't even wanna debate comp with you because for me it does not matter. Obviously it would matter if he didn't have NBA translatable skills but he does

[riehldeal]

I am not saying there aren't holes or concerns in his game, I mentioned some in my original post but his upside, skill set, and character (from what I hear) are undeniable....

[JonathanG]

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NC St yes

If 6'11, I just don't get where you have him, regardless of competition....I don't even wanna debate comp with you because for me it does not matter. Obviously it would matter if he didn't have NBA translatable skills but he does

I guess I wasn't as impressed as you by the 10-25 he shot in that game. And that was against an incredibly bad defensive team.

[riehldeal]

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I guess I wasn't as impressed as you by the 10-25 he shot in that game. And that was against an incredibly bad defensive team.

I don't base my opinions on guys off one performance.....let's agree to disagree, but for record, it is shocking who you have going in front of this kid

[Ruzious]

I haven't seen him, but he sounds like an Andray Blatche clone.

[NYC2BGI]

He seems like he would be good even in a strong college basketball conference. His numbers would go down some but he is still going to be a decent NBA player.

[go'stags]

I haven't seen him, but he sounds like an Andray Blatche clone.

I saw the game against Siena, and he IS Andray Blatche. The good and the bad.

The pretty good footwork, the ballhandling, good touch, good passing skills.....and trying to do much dribbling wise and turning it over, how he doesnt attack and settles for jumpers, and his lack of intensity sometimes

All of the above describe Blatche and Thompson.

[riehldeal]

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I saw the game against Siena, and he IS Andray Blatche. The good and the bad.

The pretty good footwork, the ballhandling, good touch, good passing skills.....and trying to do much dribbling wise and turning it over, how he doesnt attack and settles for jumpers, and his lack of intensity sometimes

All of the above describe Blatche and Thompson.

In that game I also saw his teammates inability to get him the ball in the post when he was blatantly wide open thus forcing him to come out further just to get the frickin ball......and as for dribbling too much, sorry he had to help bring the ball up the court as his team's center, haha, handled the pressure better than the PG

[riehldeal]

what kind of vertical are we looking at with Jason? I think he looked tired vs Siena, possibly dead legs or was that the extent of it? JG, you know?

[go'stags]

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In that game I also saw his teammates inability to get him the ball in the post when he was blatantly wide open thus forcing him to come out further just to get the frickin ball......and as for dribbling too much, sorry he had to help bring the ball up the court as his team's center, haha, handled the pressure better than the PG

I agree completley, his team sucked at getting him the ball.