Timeout for Fan Questions
March 3, 2009 by Jason Thompson
What’s up Kings fans?
JT The Kid, back at it!
I’m not just a guy that gets the job done on the court. I try to reach out to fans off the court as well. Today I’m going to answer some questions that were submitted by Kings fans on my last blog.
Who works with you on defense? What defensive things have you learned in the NBA that are different from college?
I wouldn’t say one specific coach goes over things with me on defense. I’d have to say Assistant Coach Rex Kalamian, Assistant Coach Randy Brown and Assistant Coach Jason Hamm all work with me on defense. Learning the NBA defense is different and it’s an adjustment from college. You can’t be in the paint as long because there is the defensive 3-second violation and the other team gets a free throw and the ball in that situation. It’s also different in terms of the screens that are set, sometimes you try and have the mentality of stopping your man, but it’s not that easy. You have to be in position to help other teammates when you’re playing against an All-Star on any given night.
How do you like NBA life? What has been the biggest adjustment?
The NBA life has been an interesting transition. I’ve had some ups and downs due to playing the three, four and five this year. I’ve seen my coach relieved and players come and go through trades. Plus, the team’s season hasn’t gone the way we wanted. I’ve seen it all in one year, but I’m still learning the ins and outs of the game. I just think the biggest adjustment is the amount of travel and how back-to-backs take a toll on your body. I’ve been blessed that my body can take it. Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue to adjust for next season.
Which players’ games do you most pattern your game after?
I try to pattern my game after a couple guys. One of them is all-time Kings great Chris Webber. C-Webb established himself as an elite player with the Kings. He became a great player and an All-Star in this League. Like him, I’m trying to be a dominant big man for this team and bring success back to Sacramento. I also try to model my game after guys like KG and Rasheed Wallace. They have versatility. They can step out and shoot. They can post their men up and they both have NBA Championships.
What do you think is the best part of your game? What area do you think you need to improve?
I think the best part of my game is my versatility. I haven’t been shooting as many threes as I’ve wanted, but I’ve done that at different levels. In high school I didn’t shoot many until I became comfortable and the same thing happened in college. I think next year I’m going to add that to my repertoire. I’m going to work on my post moves and get even stronger in the paint as well. I’m trying to average at least a double-double next year. I just have certain goals I’ve set for myself.
Chris Webber said Basketball Development Coach Pete Carril helped him when he was younger and made him really slow down his game and see the floor. What things has he taught you?
Coachie has been great! He’s been implementing certain plays to help me show my outside game. He’s been helping me with certain post moves and just my overall game in order to be successful. So that’s a little taste of what I’m trying to do and establish for next year. I’m just going to keep learning from him every day.
How do you like Sacramento so far? Is it much different than New Jersey? How much fun do you and Donté have filming “The Donté Greene Show?”
California itself is just different from the East Coast and New Jersey. A lot of people are laid back. Even though I’m from Jersey, one of the major cities closest to where I grew up is Philadelphia and I’m usually around Philly people! Sacramento is a small city but being out here is great. I’ve settled in. I have my place and my car. I’ve met a lot of new people and made friends out here. Hopefully I’m out here for a long time! Sacramento is my second home.
Being on “The Donté Greene Show” with my boy, Donté, is great. I was a communication major with an emphasis in television and radio, so I love doing stuff like that. This summer we may even try to have our own radio show, and maybe he and I can have our own reality show in the future! We’re networking because we can’t play basketball all our lives. It’s only going to help us for life after basketball.
What is your off-season workout routine like?
It’s my first season in the NBA so I really don’t have an off-season workout plan for the NBA. But I’ll probably just take some time off and go on vacation. You always have to enjoy yourself after all the hard work you put into the season. After that I’ll try to get some work in and increase my strength. I’ll probably get on a weight program. Not too much focus on conditioning, I’ll focus on that when conditioning tests come around.
What player has been the most fun to play against? How tough are rookie duties? Do they make you carry a pink backpack?
I don’t think I’ve had fun playing against any particular player. I think just the thrill of being out there as a rookie, living the dream I’ve always wanted, is just a great feeling. It’s crazy to have 20 and 10 games and post doubles-doubles. In fact, I think I matched a rookie record having a double-double in my first start. Hopefully in years to come I can live up to my college nickname, Mr. Double-Double.
Everybody already knows about the Popcorn Incident. Rookie duties are a crazy thing but they affect most rookies. I pretty much received the worst of it this season, since the incident was on YouTube and viewed over a million times in less than two days. Obviously at the moment it wasn’t a great feeling and I was upset, but it’s definitely something I can laugh at now!
All the rookies have to carry a little girl book bag. Early in the year Spencer had a pony book bag, full of hair that came with a brush on the side. Donté has a “Hello Kitty” bag. I have a book bag with cupcakes and sprinkles on it, which I think might be the best one out of everybody! I’ve seen a couple people at the airport with the same exact book bag so I went up to them and they started laughing! Even though the rookie duties are tough, I can still laugh at them.
What’s your most memorable moment in the NBA so far?
There’ve been a lot of great moments. I’ve dunked on some people I looked up to — I won’t say any names! Making my first dunk, my first career start, posting a double-double in my first-career game and even just moments I’ve shared with my family are special to me. I had my family come to my first five games, which were all on the road. When we played the Sixers, which is a team that I grew up following, my family and friends pretty much outnumbered the Sixers’ fans! They said I might’ve broken a record for most fans rooting for an opponent. Just knowing that I have a lot of fans supporting me is amazing.
I appreciate the questions. Keep them coming! Just make sure they’re appropriate, and don’t send too many because I need some sleep in my life, since we’re always traveling!
Keep checking my blogs, tweets and “The Donté Greene Show.” And keep supporting us even though these are tough times. The season is coming to an end so check us out at ARCO Arena and on TV, if we’re playing on the road.
Holla at ya boy, JT!
And follow me at Twitter.com/jtthekid!
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