Jt

#1
I have noticed that JT is getting a lot more love these days, and I'm a glad to see him player more consistently and at a higher level of play. A part of me has to wonder how much of this is due to coaching and how much from his own hard work.

I do think coaching has a little to do with it. Knowing what your role is on a team is very important IMO (especially for a role-player like JT). I always felt like Westphal was jerking him around too much. He would play center one night, PF the next, and SF the next. He also would find himself starting a couple of games, then not play for a game only to be moved to the bench (all with no rhyme or reason).

IMO, JT is one of those players who can do a little bit of everything, but doesn't seem to be great at any one thing (with rebounding being his best ability). I think sometimes coaches try too hard to use all those abilities in a player like JT, instead of helping them to hone those abilities that they are a little better at.

I also think you have to give JT a lot of credit for his own individual improvements. He is doing a much better job moving without the ball to open spaces on the floor (many times resulting in dunks). I remember when he was drafted, a glaring weakness of his game was that he had NO left hand whatsoever. Now it seems like he uses his left hand around the basket more than his right. He has obiously put in a lot of work to make that kind of improvent. He has also made a lot of progress in the fouling department. I can't remember him being in foul trouble too many times this season, and that is largely the result of cutting out the stupid fouls.

I hope that he continues to improve, because he can really help this team as they better (and hopefully start making a run at the playoffs in the next few years).
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#2
Go back in the threads to Jason's draft. There were some of us who were really high on the kid but cautioned it would take a while for his game to develop. I believe we're beginning to see those assessments come to fruition.
 
#3
Go back in the threads to Jason's draft. There were some of us who were really high on the kid but cautioned it would take a while for his game to develop. I believe we're beginning to see those assessments come to fruition.
Throw in a coach and a frontcourt teammate who knows what they're doing and the 2012 JT is what you get.
 

The_Jamal

Hall of Famer
#4
JT has been the epitome of what you want from a role player. He's forced maybe 5 bad shots since he's been a starter and been a double-double machine when he gets 30+ minutes. It goes back to that age old adage about never giving up on big-men too early.
 
#5
I think Jason's biggest asset is that he has excellent chemistry with both Tyreke and Demarcus. Him and Tyreke have been playing together for a long time now, dating all the way back to Summer League of Tyreke's rookie year, and that familiarity is paying huge dividends now. They not only know eachothers' games, but there is also a sense of trust between the two.

Regarding Demarcus, they have a solid connection back and forth with high-low passes to get the other inside position to score. Plus the fact that both have the ability to knock down midrange Js, both have solid games in the post (I have to say, JT has REALLY impressed me this year in the post, I never believed he had it in him to be a consistent post option), and both really get after rebounds. Its a hellish combination to deal with as an opposing frontline and really gets me excited for the future.

Interesting stat: JT and DMC had 36 total rebounds between them last game. In that same game, the Warriors had 36 as an ENTIRE TEAM. Can't beat that production from the frontcourt.
 
#6
Go back in the threads to Jason's draft. There were some of us who were really high on the kid but cautioned it would take a while for his game to develop. I believe we're beginning to see those assessments come to fruition.
Trust me, I remember because I was one of them. I recall you and Bajaden also being vocal (along with others) about JT. I remember a lot of people thinking we should have takne Anthony Randolph, Marresse Speights, Donte Greene, JaVale McGee, or Darrell Arthur
 
#7
I think JT is close to be one of those Kurt Thomas type guys that can fill a role and compliment a team. One thing I would like to see him do is get to that point where teams leaving him open mid range, is a near automatic make for him. I think JT has finally settled into what he can be without trying to do too much. And that is why the mistakes are starting to decline.
 
#8
bla bla bla. Jason Thompson was playing this way at the end of last year, but the rest of you were all over JJ Hicksons 20-10 nuts.
 
#9
Like I have mentioned somewhere else, JT has always been productive when he gets his minutes and when he is given a defined role to play. Primarily he is a solid PF who can play a bit of C when giving Cousins some rest. He has always been a very good rebounder and is solid at everything without being spectacular. He is an energizer bunny out there and like I have said for years, he is an ideal 3rd big on a very strong team. Can play a bit of both frontcourt positions, has length, is a good rebounder and can mix in some of his offence without taking away shots from the big 3. Always liked JT even with the bonehead mistakes, blown layups and stupid fouls because with experience those things improve and we are starting to see that.

Ideally I would like us to re-sign him and get another 6'11 + shotblocker to start next to Cousins and go forward with a monster frontline of Cousins - Shotblocker - JT - Hayes....that team could match up on anyone defensively, has enough offence and would be a rebounding machine.
 

SacTownKid

Hall of Famer
#10
bla bla bla. Jason Thompson was playing this way at the end of last year, but the rest of you were all over JJ Hicksons 20-10 nuts.
If I'm starting a team and I need talent, I'm going with JJ Hickson 10 out of 10 times. JT will succeed based on how well he performs as a role player. This team needs role players. JT understands spacing, when to look for his shot, when to not. When to cut, when to not. Those are important aspects of the game and his value will always be determined on how well his team is performing, just as with most role players.
 
#11
If I'm starting a team and I need talent, I'm going with JJ Hickson 10 out of 10 times. JT will succeed based on how well he performs as a role player. This team needs role players. JT understands spacing, when to look for his shot, when to not. When to cut, when to not. Those are important aspects of the game and his value will always be determined on how well his team is performing, just as with most role players.
Well if you have DeMarcus Cousins as your big that you are building around, then JT is picked over Hickson 10 times out of 10! Its on a needs basis. On a team like Washington for example, you would pick JJ over JT but for us, JT is a better fit. Its precisely the reason why I strongly believe that JJ will be traded by the deadline....well thats if we have realized that its not about stockpiling good individual pieces that are not good fits. The core is here, what we need is the right role players around them and JT is that guy. Hickson is not for this team but would be great on some other teams in the league.
 

SacTownKid

Hall of Famer
#12
Well if you have DeMarcus Cousins as your big that you are building around, then JT is picked over Hickson 10 times out of 10! Its on a needs basis. On a team like Washington for example, you would pick JJ over JT but for us, JT is a better fit. Its precisely the reason why I strongly believe that JJ will be traded by the deadline....well thats if we have realized that its not about stockpiling good individual pieces that are not good fits. The core is here, what we need is the right role players around them and JT is that guy. Hickson is not for this team but would be great on some other teams in the league.

Which is the point I was making in my post above as well, and it's why JT looked so much better next to Cousins then just about any other option last year. He is the definition of a role player. The only concern I have with JT is that there is no part of his game that makes him unique. His offensive rebounding would probably be it, but other than that he's fairly average across the board, which is also good in a way, because there are no glaring weaknesses either.
 
#13
Which is the point I was making in my post above as well, and it's why JT looked so much better next to Cousins then just about any other option last year. He is the definition of a role player. The only concern I have with JT is that there is no part of his game that makes him unique. His offensive rebounding would probably be it, but other than that he's fairly average across the board, which is also good in a way, because there are no glaring weaknesses either.
JT is a classic role player which is what we need! Jack of all trades, master of none....which is exactly what we need! It would have been handy if he was a master defensive guy that blocked shots but then he would be a specialist in one area! :D
 
#14
JT is a classic role player which is what we need! Jack of all trades, master of none....which is exactly what we need! It would have been handy if he was a master defensive guy that blocked shots but then he would be a specialist in one area! :D
I agree, and love the way he is using his size right now. To have a guy that can be that effective with his shooting range would be huge. I still think you MUST put a guy like AK or Chandler next to him for defensive depth and diversity, but he's close. What the hell, maybe JT can slide in the starting role.
 
#15
Like I have mentioned somewhere else, JT has always been productive when he gets his minutes and when he is given a defined role to play. Primarily he is a solid PF who can play a bit of C when giving Cousins some rest. He has always been a very good rebounder and is solid at everything without being spectacular. He is an energizer bunny out there and like I have said for years, he is an ideal 3rd big on a very strong team. Can play a bit of both frontcourt positions, has length, is a good rebounder and can mix in some of his offence without taking away shots from the big 3. Always liked JT even with the bonehead mistakes, blown layups and stupid fouls because with experience those things improve and we are starting to see that.

Ideally I would like us to re-sign him and get another 6'11 + shotblocker to start next to Cousins and go forward with a monster frontline of Cousins - Shotblocker - JT - Hayes....that team could match up on anyone defensively, has enough offence and would be a rebounding machine.
*cough* *cough* Trade Salmons for Okafor *cough* *cough*
 
#18
Go back in the threads to Jason's draft. There were some of us who were really high on the kid but cautioned it would take a while for his game to develop. I believe we're beginning to see those assessments come to fruition.
Very true.

And on his rookie year, when he occasionally showed flashes of brilliance playing with Hawes I (as a homer) was actually hoping he would develop into a C-Web. I also thought the worst he would eventually become was a Dennis Rodman (without the off-court distractions), because the way he moved his feet was very much like Rodman's and he was always full of energy rebounding, defending, and going after the ball like Rodman.
 

gunks

Hall of Famer
#19
I've been a huge fan of JT since we drafted him (he instantly became my favorite player his rookie year because he was our only big who rebounded the ball).

Dude is a hard worker, at the start of every training camp he seems to be the only guy in excellent shape, he seems to be a great teammate (remember him going to Israel to catch Casspi playing?), and besides his occasional poutyness towards refs, he has a great attitude.

As a starter, he's averaging 11/9 on a 52%fg. Good stuff.
 
#20
Ideally I would like us to re-sign him and get another 6'11 + shotblocker to start next to Cousins and go forward with a monster frontline of Cousins - Shotblocker - JT - Hayes....that team could match up on anyone defensively, has enough offence and would be a rebounding machine.
I would be very happy if Petrie can make this happen --> Cousins - Shotblocker - JT - Hayes.

I would be very happy just to see Whiteside having some NBA playing time and being developed into that Shotblocker role. I also would like to see Greene have more playing time. It will more or less justify why we didn't work very hard in re-signing Dalembert and/or pursuing AK . It does not matter to me if Whiteside messes-up in playing that role for now as long as I see Petrie heading towards a plan on having a shot-blocking big. I probably will forget all of Petrie's dumb mistakes in the past if this happens.
 
Last edited:
#21
*cough* *cough* Trade Salmons for Okafor *cough* *cough*
Well A) Hornets would not do the deal and just as importantly from our perspective B) he would not be a great fit as he cannot guard PFs. He is too mechanical to match up on Aldridge, Dirk, pre-this-season Amare and the rest of the good PFs in the league.

The player that we need next to Cousins and with JT is a tall athletic shotblocker who can guard both positions equally well! Okafor is NOT that guy.

Now with Chuck around as a leader who is respected and listened to in the locker room when he does speak up, I would be interested in making an offer to JaVale McGee....Washington would no doubt match but if we can get him, despite being a bit of a knucklhead, Chuck might be able to teach him a thing or 2. At least you get length, athleticism, rebounding and top notch shot-blocking.

Or alternatively hope like hell Whiteside comes along in leaps and bounds!!!
 
Last edited:
#22
People always say things like that withotu consideringthe other team's point of view at all. As in why on Earth would they do that? Answer: they wouldn't.
We'd have to sweeten the pot, but NOH could jump at the cap relief. If we included Whiteside and Greene, that would offer them another young piece as well as an expiring they covet. I don't think it's THAT far fetched. Their best SF option at the moment is Aminu, and they are desperate to shed payroll to make a play this offseason beyond the Kaman money.
 
#23
Well A) Hornets would not do the deal and just as importantly from our perspective B) he would not be a great fit as he cannot guard PFs. He is too mechanical to match up on Aldridge, Dirk, pre-this-season Amare and the rest of the good PFs in the league.

The player that we need next to Cousins and with JT is a tall athletic shotblocker who can guard both positions equally well! Okafor is NOT that guy.

Now with Chuck around as a leader who is respected and listened to in the locker room when he does speak up, I would be interested in making an offer to JaVale McGee....Washington would no doubt match but if we can get him, despite being a bit of a knucklhead, Chuck might be able to teach him a thing or 2. At least you get length, athleticism, rebounding and top notch shot-blocking.

Or alternatively hope like hell Whiteside comes along in leaps and bounds!!!
Speaking of WAS, what would your take be on trying to acquire Blatchay? Could he be had? I see tons of potential with that kid.
 
Last edited:
#25
Well A) Hornets would not do the deal and just as importantly from our perspective B) he would not be a great fit as he cannot guard PFs. He is too mechanical to match up on Aldridge, Dirk, pre-this-season Amare and the rest of the good PFs in the league.

The player that we need next to Cousins and with JT is a tall athletic shotblocker who can guard both positions equally well! Okafor is NOT that guy.

Now with Chuck around as a leader who is respected and listened to in the locker room when he does speak up, I would be interested in making an offer to JaVale McGee....Washington would no doubt match but if we can get him, despite being a bit of a knucklhead, Chuck might be able to teach him a thing or 2. At least you get length, athleticism, rebounding and top notch shot-blocking.

Or alternatively hope like hell Whiteside comes along in leaps and bounds!!!
I have been considering McGee lately as well. I have always liked his size and athleticism, just don't think he has the best bball IQ. But if he can come over and play defense, rebound, and block shots, he could be a good fit. I wonder who the Kings might have to give up in a trade to get him.
 
#27
I have been considering McGee lately as well. I have always liked his size and athleticism, just don't think he has the best bball IQ. But if he can come over and play defense, rebound, and block shots, he could be a good fit. I wonder who the Kings might have to give up in a trade to get him.
Nooooo. McGee will always be an empty stats kind of guy until he gets his head around a team philosophy. Plus, Washington would want one of Reke/thornton/Cousins in a deal for him (Yes, they value him that much)
 

SacTownKid

Hall of Famer
#28
People always say things like that withotu consideringthe other team's point of view at all. As in why on Earth would they do that? Answer: they wouldn't.

You ever take a gander at what he's getting paid? I'd bet they'd seriously consider that deal just to cut some of the losses. Why the Kings would? I have not a clue.
 

SacTownKid

Hall of Famer
#29
Along these lines, what would it cost to take ed davis off the raps hands i feel he could be good bench player.

Ed Davis and Larry Sanders are two guys that I would love to see as Kings. Both can spot shoot and block shots, all you need next to Cousins and Hayes.