Fresh Look for Final Stretch
February 24, 2009 by Jason Thompson
Big trade deadline last week. We made a lot of moves and had a lot of vets go. Brad Miller and John Salmons were traded to the Bulls. It’s cool for John since he’s from Philly and he gets to be closer to home. And for Brad, besides being a starter, he gave me a lot of good looks and advice on how to be a player in this League. He told me how he worked from being an undrafted player to an All-Star. Then we saw Mikki and Quincy waived as well. I had great relationships with all those guys. But that’s just the business of the NBA — people can be moved at any time. It’s a tough situation but we have to move on with the new guys. Obviously the organization wanted change. I guess that’s the big word of this new year with the President and our team. Hopefully he’s successful and we are too.
I’m still going to keep in contact with the guys that left, especially the older guys. I thanked them for putting me underneath their wings — just not for the popcorn! I’m kidding. I learned a lot from them. Obviously as a team, we’ve had ups and downs. And as a rookie, I’ve been through a lot. Even though we’re not on the same team anymore, I still have a lot of respect for those guys. I’m going to miss them, but I know I’ll see them again later on down the road.
It’s early, but I’m trying to build a relationship with the new guys as well. It’s obviously going to be a process. I don’t think a lot of our guys knew any of the new players before. The more opportunities we have in practice and games, the more comfortable we’ll become. I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for us. The core guys who’ve been here are going to eventually gel with the new guys.
A lot has been made of my frustrations on the court lately. I think if I’m not frustrated when I’m in foul trouble, then I don’t know how I should act. People tell me to play through it, but if I’m in foul trouble, I’m not playing. So that myth goes out the window. Also people have told me that it’s normal because I’m a rookie, but I try to have an aggressive mentality because I don’t want to play like a rookie. Obviously I want to be great, so I’m going to go through these rocky roads in my career. I’m trying to adapt and learn how to play defense differently, which might mean I can’t be as aggressive as I want. But I still want to put my stamp on the game. When I play, I’m not going to let guys push me around. I’m willing to take a foul for the team. I may get upset when I’m not playing due to foul trouble, but I have faith in my team to maintain the energy I bring even when I’m off the court.
Everyone is going to have their opinion on my style of play. I haven’t played a full season yet, so I don’t think you can judge how I play yet. Besides, naysayers aren’t on the court experiencing the situations I’m going through — it’s a matter of perspective. You may look at one guy who’s supposedly not whining, and they’ll say he’s playing tough defense, taking charges, taking it strong to the hole and going up to block shots. People who watch me play closely know I’m an emotional guy. If I go for a dunk, I’m screaming right in my opponent’s face and I expect them to come right down the other end and be just as aggressive toward me. Like I said earlier, I’m willing to take fouls because I’m aggressive — not soft. Even though I’m a rookie, I’m not going to let guys have it easy because I don’t want to have that reputation. If I have to take a foul, then I’m going to take one for the team.
We may be going through rough times right now, but I want to be the positive spark of this team. I try to mingle with Kings fans because I love the support they give me and the team. I’m just trying to keep doing what I have to do on the court, despite all the adversity I’m going through. You all know I like doing stuff off the court. I’m still trying to go to as many events as I can and help kids. I know a lot of people out there want to see me but if I can’t make it out, it’s not because I’m ignoring you. It’s still a busy time of the year because we still have the season to go through. But continue to hit me on Twitter.com/jtthekid, if you want to contact me! I love doing it and responding to your questions. The more questions you ask the more answers I’ll give, just as long as they’re appropriate!
Hope to see you at ARCO Arena on Wednesday when we go to battle with the Bobcats!
Great blog, great play. You have a lot of heart, and are the most fun Kings player to watch in a long time.
Hey JT - I've posted the questions for the interview below, like you asked.
If there are any you can't answer or aren't comfortable with, simply skip over them. Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to help out.
So, here are the fan questions for you:
1) Who works with you on defense? What things have you learned now that you're in the NBA that you didn't really do in college on the defensive end?
2) How are you finding NBA life? What do you think the biggest adjustment so far has been?
3) What do you feel like your ceiling is as a player? Meaning, how good do you think you can be in the NBA? What player's game do you mostly pattern yourself after, and where abouts do you think you're caliber of play will amount to when you hit your NBA peak?
4) Meeting Chris Webber obviously must have been a major thrill for you. Many of us King fans see a LOT of the young Chris Webber is you. The promise in your game is endless…how does it feel knowing you one day, could very well be the next face of the Sacramento Kings franchise?
5) What do you think is the best part of your game? And where do you think you need to work harder?
6) Chris Webber said how much Coach Carill helped him when he was younger, and really made him slow down his game and see the floor. What things has Coachie been teaching you? He's like our own little Sacramento Kings Yoda! ha
7) How do you like Sacramento so far? Is it a lot different from Jersey?…And when can we expect the next episode of "The Donte Greene Show"? How much fun is that for you and Donte?
What is your offseason work-out routine like?
9) For you, what player so far as been the most fun to play against? Are guys out there trash talking you because your a rookie? Also, how tough is all the hazing? Do they make you carry a pink backpack around like they did Bobby Brown? lol
10) I know the sample size isn't that great right now, but what is the one moment so far in your NBA career that really just sticks out to you, and will be a memory forever? Obviously getting drafted will, but is there one other moment that made you just go "wow…this is amazing"?
Thank you so much for all the help JT and being around for we fans and doing so much in the community. We don't take it for granted, trust me.
Thanks again!
Talk soon
hey JT!!! avid reader here again
anyways,
you mentioned about how the Vets have impact in your game!
it's nice to hear that from a rookie like you.
Lebron, Chris Paul, other talented players… even said to their interviews, they do watch their opponent & study their style of play,
that's one thing to learn too!!!!
if you have a view of "how will you play against this guy or that guy", then it makes you want to play harder!!
…good luck in your remaining 23 games.
eventhough it's a rough season for the KINGS,
I hope, YOU, the KINGS have learned a lot from this season and look forward to a better one.
actually, I can't wait for the season to be over, so we can start a better one "hopefully"……
with the new guys, hope the KINGS can keep some of them like Nocioni, Gooden, (you know some of them already) and the high draft pick….
we have something good to look forward to!
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