Jason Thompson?

[pillwenney]

He doesn't quite have the touch that LMA has...yet, but he is a better rebounder, and he isn't as soft as LMA. He's physical, big, and plays with great energy.

In two years:

Thompson > Aldridge

Sig worthy.

Not really. It might not happen--I wouldn't bet on it. But I also don't think it's ridiculous.

Aldridge is more skilled offensively, and is probably the better defensive presence (and is a much better defender right now), but Jason is pretty skilled for a guy of his experience, and is certainly a better rebounder, and seems to have an outstanding motor.

[ICMTM]

I still like the David West ceiling potential for Thompson. David West isn't a star player, but is the beneficiary of playing next to an elite player.

Well he's been to a couple all-star games already. So Yeah, I'd say he's a STAR. even though he doesn't get the star treatment like most others in the all-star game.
I like LMA comparison with more rebounding prowess as his ceiling.

I don't see those two players too differently, and I also don't think West is the same player without the team he plays on, so I don't think we're too far off.

Also Gasol wasn't as good until he started playing with Kobe. While I'm not going to say Thompson will ever be better I'm going to say Gasol isn't in the same class as Duncan, KG, etc. I'm not comparing the player's skills anyway. I'm comparing stat lines. Basically I think Thompson is very capable of of 17/9 in his prime. If you play on a team with the best record in the West you will be on the all star team. Brad Miller was an All-Star, too. We seen what happened when he did not play with talent around him.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

He doesn't quite have the touch that LMA has...yet, but he is a better rebounder, and he isn't as soft as LMA. He's physical, big, and plays with great energy.

In two years:

Thompson > Aldridge

Sig worthy.

Not really. It might not happen--I wouldn't bet on it. But I also don't think it's ridiculous.

Aldridge is more skilled offensively, and is probably the better defensive presence (and is a much better defender right now), but Jason is pretty skilled for a guy of his experience, and is certainly a better rebounder, and seems to have an outstanding motor.

Plus one.

Is it for sure? Absolutely not, but I do know that Thompson has the rare combo of LMA-like skill with Milsap-like mentality. Aldridge is a nice perimeter big, but Thompson can play inside AND outside. He just doesn't have the touch LMA has...YET.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

How many of the following players had/have "All-Star pressure". REMEMBER there is a difference between all star POTENTIAL and all star PRESSURE.

2003(One of the strongest drafts of recent histroy): Luke Ridnour (14), Marcus Banks (13), Jarvis Hayes (10).

2004: Kris Humphries (14), Robert Swift (12), Luke Jackson (10).

2005: Rashad Mccants (14), Ike Diogu (9).

2006: Patrick O'Bryant (9), Mouhamed Sene (10), JJ Redick (11), Hilton Armstrong (12).

2007: Acie Law (11), Julian Wright (13)

2008: Jerryd Bayless (11), Jason Thompson (12), Brandon Rush (13).

I'd be surprised if ONE of those players had "All-Star pressure"

I'm assuming you ignored this because you got smashed, correct?

[Smills91]

Any one else concerned about his inability to stay out of foul trouble?

Is it him? Is it the perimeter defense that puts pressure on him from dribble penetration? Is it that he's overmatched at the 5? Is it that we need more talent around our starters(Hawes/Casspi)?

Thoughts on this situation, as it's becoming a major issue. he's in his 2nd season, after 4 years of college. The maturity and know how SHOULD be there by now.

What do you all think?

[wiltchamberlain]

I think it's a little bit of everything you mentioned, but I think two reasons are the biggest. The first, which you mentioned, is dribble penetration. It's funny I don't usually pay attention to the things Jerry Renyold's says but for once he did make an insightful comment. The comment was about how people (fans, coaches, commentators) often put a huge focus on help defense, but as a result they forget about the importance of man defense. I think the teams small players are by in large so bad at defense, Kevin in particular, they allow penetration on almost every possession.

The second reason is the possibility that he's just a little slow. I don't mean to say he's stupid or physically slow, just that he maybe hasn't gotten all of the defensive concepts as quickly as most players do. This happens from time to time in all professions. Sometimes it just takes different people different speeds to learn things.

Whatever the problem may be I do agree it's very disconcerting.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Last night there were at least 2 for sure HORRIBLE calls on Thompson.

[Smills91]

Last night there were at least 2 for sure HORRIBLE calls on Thompson.

I'll agree that he seems to be legitimately, victimized by the officiating once or twice a game. I won't deny that, but he needs to learn to adapt, what can he do differently to avoid those other 3-4 fouls?

[pillwenney]

I think there is cause for concern, but not a huge cause for concern. I would still give him some time. Playing college ball at a small school is probably very different in many ways from the NBA. Lets not forget he was the DPOY in his conferance (IIRC), so this likely wasn't a huge issue for him in college. I'll give him until the end of the year before I really mark it down as a big concern.

It doesn't seem that it's a function of any kind of consistent mistake he makes. It's just a couple of lapses in judgment and some clear inexperience. Interestingly enough, I don't really see these lapses as often offensively.

[ICMTM]

There's already a Jason Thompson thread so this will be merged.

[wiltchamberlain]

Here's a story in the Sacbee about Thopmpson, specifically his foul troubles and his attempts to overcome them.

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/2303996.html

[Paeds]

I think he can average a double doub if he can get these fouls down