Jason Thompson & The Rookie/Soph Game

by section214 on Jan 25, 2009 10:43 AM PST in Commentary

Jason Thompson is going to be invited to play in the rookie/soph game at the all star game this year. My source? Me.

After combing through the rookie stats and the hype, Thompson rests comfortably amongst the top 12 rookies in the league. The selection process for this team has always been one-part performance and two-parts hype. That is, your top few draft picks are usually invited automatically, and your top rookie performers round out the team. In this particular year, this mostly intersects, with the exceptions of Danilo Gallinari (selected 6^th) and Joe Alexander (8^th).

My squad has 6 guys up front and 6 guys in the backcourt. Don’t be surprised if the rookies throw a lot of 3-guard looks at the soph’s, especially with O.J. Mayo in the mix. But JT makes the grade, as I proudly present my squad:

Name-Pos. Pts. Rebs. Blks.

Brook Lopez – C 11 8 2

Marc Gasol – C 11 7 1

Greg Oden – C 8 7 1

Michael Beasley – C 14 5

Jason Thompson - F 10 7 1

Kevin Love – F 9 8 1

Pts. Asts. Stls.

O.J. Mayo - G 19 3

Derrick Rose – G 17 6 1

Russell Westbrook – G 14 5 1

Rudy Fernandez – G 11 2

Eric Gordon – G 14 2

D.J. Augustin – G 12 4 1

Those missing the cut include Marreese Speights (8/4/1blk.) and George Hill (7/2/1ast.). Jerryd Bayless probably would have had a better chance if he played on a worse team, and Anthony Randolph might have had an outside chance if he didn’t play for Don Nelson. JT is the 3^rd lowest selection on the list, and the lowest if you discount the Euro’s (Gasol and Fernandez). This team also has the first opportunity to play two #1’s at the same time (Oden and Rose). It will a little strange to watch Oden play for the rookies while Kevin Durant plays for the soph’s.

Next up, Spencer Hawes and the sophomores. Without having done the research, my guess is that Spencer might be able to get home to Washington over the all star break.

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Well...

The rookie will play with: Mayo, Rose, Westbrook, Gordon, Fernandez, Thompson, Brook Lopez and Beasley. Oden hasn’t nothing to play the game. The other option would be subtitute Thompson for Marc Gasol.

In the soph’s, I would play with: Durant, Horford, Thornton, Young, Stuckey, Jeff Green, Wilson Chandler, Hawes and Cook.

I wish that the two Kings’s guys play the All-Star Game.

by Matenja on Jan 25, 2009 10:57 AM PST reply actions

They're the only 2 I want to see go

Everybody else needs to get away from basketball for 3 days. They both want to represent themselves, and the franchise along with it, at Phoenix. That’s something that’s important as this team strides for the future.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....

by pookeyguru on Jan 25, 2009 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

I've already commented on Matenja's point already

But, to supplement it, I do have this to say. You have JT & Shawes, 2 young talented and committed players who want to be in Sacramento. Buckets has said the same thing. Speed just recently signed a contract extension, and money talks, and bullshit is promptly deposited in the sewer where it belongs. Cisco, same deal, and the only thing holding this team back is lack of cohesiveness.

Now, when you look at JT belonging in the rookie game, does he? Of course he does. He’s found his way into the starting lineup, in part because he’s worked hard to get there. He’s been frustrated, and had some bad moments. When he’s gotten his chance, what has he done? He’s leaving Shawes in the dust as far as production. He’s brought a dimension to this team that hasn’t existed since Brian Grant! Brian friggin Grant!

I think a big part of the Kings rehabbing their image in the 916 is to get players like Shawes & JT in the rookie & sophomore game, and say hey look, these guys are pretty good. Other people think so too! The only way I can see not having a positive view of the future is if the Kings made a shortsighted trade like for Boozer or Stoudemire.

P.S. I’ll be very disappointed if both JT & Shawes don’t make it.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 25, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions

And how long has it been

Since a King participated in All-Star weekend? Four or five years? My guess without looking, was that it was Peja’s last three point contest appearance as a King.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 25, 2009 11:44 AM PST reply actions

Didn't Kevin Martin go to like the sophomore game?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 25, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions

Kenny Thomas in the skills challenge?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 25, 2009 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

oh, yeah

It would be a great show

by Matenja on Jan 25, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions

He got everything down

except for the uncontested layup

"Let's stop arguing and get together and agree on who really is the problem: PEACHES" - HighTops

by eduardo_m7 on Jan 25, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

Only if

He played against Mikki and Shelden. It might take the whole three hour broadcast for the three of them to finish.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 25, 2009 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Other Rookie Possibilities to knock out JT

Mario Chalmers – he is starting for Miami and playing well (9/4/2 steals)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute – We saw him looking great last night (7/6/1 stl)
George Hill – He has been getting a lot of publicity playing well for San Antonio (7/2/2)

I don’t think Jason will be left out of the Rookie game but one of the names above may squeak in.

Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)

by dalt99 on Jan 25, 2009 3:18 PM PST reply actions

by section214 on Jan 25, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions

and the lower draft position

Oden is a definite he has ESPN backing. I hate to say it but no JT and SHawes.

by betweentheeyes on Jan 26, 2009 1:11 AM PST up reply actions

They could use the rest

Good time for Petrie to focus on a 3 team trade too.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 26, 2009 6:29 AM PST up reply actions