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Jason Thompson News & Rumors

Kings' Smart says Thompson will be available against Rockets
March 27
Sacramento Bee
 
"Kings forward Jason Thompson practiced Sunday evening when the team arrived in Houston and is expected to start tonight against the Houston Rockets. Thompson sprained his left ankle at the end of Thursday's loss to Utah and sat out Saturday's loss at Golden State. "He'll be ready (today)," said Kings coach Keith Smart. "It was tender (Saturday). Trying to get him in that game where it was sore and not strong enough if he rolls it again? Maybe we miss him for three or four games.""
Thompson's stock rises as he settles into starting role
March 21
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings had the opportunity to offer Jason Thompson a contract extension by Jan. 25. The deadline passed without an extension for the fourth-year power forward. That didn't go unnoticed by Thompson. "That was on my mind, but it wasn't on my mind," he said. "It was just about playing consistently." Thompson has done that and become a player the Kings want to keep."
Thompson receives an assist from his parents
March 19
Sacramento Bee
 
"Power forward Jason Thompson had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his third consecutive double double as the Kings defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-99 Sunday at Power Balance Pavilion. The constant for Thompson in the past three games has been his parents, Chuck and Sharyn Thompson, being in attendance. "I've started looking for condos and things for them," Thompson said. In his past three games, Thompson has averaged 18.3 points and 13.3 rebounds. Thompson said his parents watch games on NBA League Pass and he often discusses basketball with them."
Jason Thompson gives hope to small basketball schools everywhere
July 7
The Times of Trenton
 
"Jason Thompson enjoys telling his story as much as the kids listening to it like to hear it. Thompson, the Rider University star turned NBA lottery pick, is becoming more and more of a spokesman and not just for the NBA, or his Sacramento Kings, which are both currently in a lockout. The big man from South Jersey is giving back and he's starting with the youth of the area, who he knows can learn the way he did when he was a young man with the dream of one day making it to the top. "I'm just showing some love for the kids,'' Thompson said. "I remember when I was a kid and going to different camps and listening to guys who were in the NBA or played big-time college ball. That means a lot to"
Jason Thompson's break came at a good time
June 22
Sacramento Bee
 
"Finally caught up with Jason Thompson and chatted briefly with him about the fracture in his right big toe. Thompson suffered the injury June 10. It will keep him in a walking boot four to six weeks. "I was just working out and knowing me I was thinking it was soreness or something like that, just kind of playing through it and stuff," Thompson said. "Next thing I told (trainer) Pete (Youngman) - I already planned to come out here before the lockout so I could use the facilities - so it was perfect timing to come in here and get an X-ray." Thompson was back in Sacramento June 14 and had the X-ray the following day. Thompson is in good spirits. Thompson has worked out in a pool and"
Big men's impact grows
March 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"As well as some things have gone for the Kings and their trio of big men lately, there's still work to be done. Samuel Dalembert, DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson have adjusted to the rotation and agree they are improving defensively. Dalembert said things can get better on offense, too. "We've still got a lot of work to do, but I think as a whole we've started to look for each other on the high-low and take advantage of us being big," Dalembert said. "We're going to be bigger than some opponents." A lot of that high-low action happens when Cousins has the ball in the high post and finds teammates. Cousins showed off some of his passing ability in the first half of Tuesday's 116-113"
Thompson's ankle is better; he's ready to return to starting lineup
February 6
Sacramento Bee
 
"There's a lot to be learned watching from the sideline, but Jason Thompson would much rather do his learning on the court. Thompson was able to do that Saturday, returning to full participation in practice. He had been out since spraining his right ankle Jan. 29 against New Orleans. After missing two games, Thompson is probable for Monday's contest against Utah. With Thompson back, only Francisco García (strained left calf) and Hassan Whiteside (partial tear of the patellar tendon in his left knee) missed practice. Thompson hoped to play Friday against the San Antonio Spurs but was held out to give his ankle another day of rest. Thompson said his ankle felt fine running and jumping in"
Kings forward returns to lineup
December 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jason Thompson returned to the starting lineup Wednesday when the Kings hosted the Memphis Grizzlies. Thompson sat out four games with stitches in his right ring finger. The forward was hurt when trying to block a shot Dec. 17 at Oklahoma City. The stitches were removed Monday night. Darnell Jackson and Carl Landry each started two games in place of Thompson. Thompson had started 10 consecutive games before the injury. Considering Thompson's playing time wasn't consistent before the injury, he said he didn't think he was guaranteed his starting job when he returned - especially considering the Kings' struggles. "If things are going good, then things are easier," Thompson said of lineup"
Cut finger benches Thompson for 3 games
December 19
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings are down a man in the frontcourt. Forward Jason Thompson will miss the next three games because of a cut on his right ring finger and then be re-evaluated. Thompson was injured in the fourth quarter of Friday's loss at Oklahoma City and received seven stitches. "I went for a block and got my finger sliced in between the rim and the backboard," Thompson said. "I thought it was just bleeding but then they opened it up and I could see things that weren't too pretty." Thompson started the past 10 games at power forward after having a reduced role to begin the season. He prides himself on his durability and said the injury has to be serious to keep him out. "It's my shooting hand,"
Thompson a starter again for Kings
November 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jason Thompson promised before the season that he wouldn't stop smiling and working hard. Thompson pledged to do so even with the prospect that his playing time could be cut with additions to the Kings' frontcourt. That smile was hard to find Nov. 12 in Phoenix when the third-year forward had "DNP - Coach's Decision" next to his name in the box score. Thompson was smiling again after that game, but now he has more reason to be happy. After Carl Landry overslept and missed a morning shootaround, Thompson started Saturday at power forward in place of Landry and played his best game of the season. Thompson is back in the starting lineup for the third time this season, and likely for some"
Roles of Landry, Thompson in flux
November 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"Carl Landry oversleeping could lead to lineup changes in the future. Jason Thompson started at power forward Saturday when the Kings hosted the Chicago Bulls because Landry overslept and missed that morning's shootaround. Thompson had his best game of the season with 18 points and nine rebounds. Kings coach Paul Westphal did not rule out keeping Landry as a reserve after Sunday's practice. "I haven't spoken with those players about it yet, so I don't want to get too into it," Westphal said. "It certainly looked good." Landry scored a season-low three points off the bench. Landry has been bothered by a sore back that he said is getting better."
Head, Thompson start vs. Knicks
November 18
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings have struggled defensively all season. And one of the latest changes to the starting lineup was done with defense in mind. Luther Head started in place of Beno Udrih at guard when the Kings hosted the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Arco Arena. Jason Thompson also made his first start of the season, replacing Omri Casspi. Guard Tyreke Evans, forward Carl Landry and center Samuel Dalembert stayed in the starting lineup. Several opposing guards have had good games against the Kings. Westphal said Head is a "proven" player who has been slowed by injuries in recent seasons. "I think that defensively, (Head) can give us a little better start," Westphal said. "And then as we balance"
Kings' Thompson won't complain
November 17
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"Jason Thompson is never going to cry in public. He's never been a whiner, except for those frequent occasions - mostly in the past - when he became a little too demonstrative in front of the referees. Few players were more theatrical than the old J.T. The arms thrust into the air. The wide smile frozen in frustration. That exaggerated shake of the head. But that's not his problem these days. One technical. That's it. The Kings' third-year forward only wishes he had more opportunities to overreact and draw a fine. Thompson, who was drafted 12th overall in 2008, is averaging a career-low 15.6 minutes and is days removed from his first DNP. As the Kings' slide continues, the one-time starter"
Thompson blocks out trade talk
November 16
Sacramento Bee
 
"Just like any other day after practice, Jason Thompson stayed around for extra shooting Monday. He hasn't packed his bags, literally or figuratively, even as his name continues to come up in trade rumors. Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said Saturday the team is not trying to trade Thompson. Still, ESPN reported Monday that Thompson had been offered to Atlanta in a deal for point guard Jeff Teague. Thompson said the talk hasn't affected him. He has been the subject of speculation after falling on the depth chart to the point he's being used as a small forward and not his natural power forward spot. This season, he's averaging 15.6 minutes, well off last season's 31.4. Thompson is"
A first for Thompson - he suits up but doesn't play
November 13
Sacramento Bee
 
"For the first time in his NBA career, Jason Thompson did not play in a game he suited up for. Thompson had seen action in all 164 games he'd dressed for since entering the league in the 2008-09 season. He had no comment about not playing, only offering "yes" when asked if he'd ever been a healthy scratch. After averaging 31.4 minutes last season, Thompson is averaging 15.4 minutes. And, ESPN says, he has been shopped around for potential trades. Kings coach Paul Westphal had used Thompson as a small forward, even though he's a natural power forward, to find time for him on the court."
Thompson adjusting to small forward
November 4
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jason Thompson still smiles and remains as upbeat as ever in the face of dwindling playing time. With the additions of Samuel Dalembert and DeMarcus Cousins at center, there isn't much time available at that position. Carl Landry gets most of the playing time at power forward, with Darnell Jackson also getting minutes. So Thompson is adjusting to small forward to help the Kings exploit what they hope can be a matchup problem in certain situations. "I'm still just trying to learn," Thompson said. "I can shoot, and I have some lateral quickness, so I can guard some threes. It's obviously tough." At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, Thompson isn't built like a small forward. So he'll use his size"
Kings' Thompson reminds ex-Laker A.C. Green of self
June 16
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"Former Laker A.C. Green, the power forward whose game was predicated on energy, hustle and baseline-to-baseline sprints, agrees with those who see similarities with the Kings' Jason Thompson. "Yeah, I think there are," he said about two hours before tipoff of Game 6 Tuesday. "He works hard, tries to bring it every night, and his contribution isn't necessarily based on numbers. I like that. (Laugh) He's in my club." The 6-foot-9 Green, trim and youthful looking at age 46 with a familiar mini-Afro, started for the Lakers' championship teams in 1987 and 1988. He was the club's first-round draft choice in 1985 out of Oregon State."
Ryan Thompson looks to join his brother, Jason, in the NBA
May 12
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings' marketing strategy had a personal impact on Ryan Thompson when he landed in Sacramento on Monday. It's one thing to be on your way to your first NBA workout, which Thompson had Tuesday at the Kings' practice facility. It's another to work out for the team on which your older brother plays. "It was really awkward coming off the plane and the first thing I see is a little billboard with him on it," Ryan said of his brother, Kings forward Jason Thompson. "It's like, 'Wow.' " Ryan, a 6-foot-6 guard from Rider, was happy with his workout. It's the first of two the Kings will host this week featuring six draft hopefuls each. Ryan has the advantage of having his older brother, just"
Jason Thompson's little brother to work out
May 11
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings will begin hosting pre-draft workouts this week with 12 college prospects scheduled to participate at the team's practice facility. Six players are scheduled to work out today. The group includes guard Ryan Thompson, younger brother of Kings forward Jason Thompson. Like Jason, Ryan Thompson starred at Rider University, where he averaged 17.2 points as a senior. The Kings made Jason the 12th overall pick in 2008. Ryan, a 6-foot-6 guard, isn't expected to be a first-round pick in the June 24 draft. He had a strong 37-point game at the Portsmouth Invitational in early April before NBA scouts. The Kings will hold a second workout session Thursday that will include Cal 5-10 guard"
Thompson fills reserve role nicely
March 16
Sacramento Bee
 
"If Jason Thompson needs proof that being a productive reserve in the NBA is a valuable role, he only has to look across the Kings' locker room. That's where he'll find Carl Landry, who was a leading candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award in Houston before being traded to the Kings on Feb. 17. Landry is now the Kings' starting power forward, Thompson's job until last month. Coach Paul Westphal started going in a different direction before Landry arrived, using a lineup that included Omri Casspi and Donté Greene in early February. Then came Thompson's injury on Feb. 23 that led to a five-game absence. Since his return five games ago, Thompson has provided the sort of impact coming"
Thompson hopes for an early return to lineup
March 7
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jason Thompson stood on the American Airlines Center floor Friday night, his warm-ups drenched in sweat and the hardwood under his feet more slippery by the second. The Kings forward, who had two non-displaced transverse fractures in his lower back from a Feb. 23 fall against Detroit, had just completed his pregame rehabilitation. He teamed with Kings strength and conditioning coach Daniel Shapiro in the session, stretching with bands and sprinting so much you could hardly tell he was injured. "I only know one way to go, and that's going hard," he said. "That's just not talk. That's how I've always been working. That's how I'm in this league, really. Coming from a small school (Rider),"
Hard fall, achy back -- Kings Thompson out 2 weeks
February 26
Sacramento Bee
 
"Forward/center Jason Thompson, who took a nasty spill, landing on his back after grabbing a rebound Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons, will feel another kind of pain. The kind that occurs while sitting on the bench. X-rays taken Thursday revealed that the second-year pro suffered two non-displaced fractures in his lower back. He is expected to miss up to two weeks. This is the first time that Thompson, who skipped two games last month because of a death in the family, has been sidelined because of injury. "It's sore," said Thompson, who sustained the injury at the 3:31 mark of the second quarter. "Just trying to get as much treatment, as much rest as possible. "(The incident) was"
Thompson returns after death of cousin
February 8
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jason Thompson rejoined the team after missing two games following the death of a 25-year-old female cousin. The second-year forward said the cause of death remains uncertain, so he was unable to offer details. "We were very close," he said, "only a few years apart. It's a very tough situation. We just don't know enough. All I know is that she was taken from us too soon." Thompson, who spent time with relatives in Philadelphia, came off the bench against the Raptors. Coach Paul Westphal started forwards Donté Greene and Omri Casspi."
Time off may aid Thompson, coach says
February 6
Sacramento Bee
 
"Ideally, when Jason Thompson meets up with the Kings this weekend, he'll be in a new frame of mind. Thompson missed the first two games of his NBA career this week to attend a funeral for a family member on the East Coast. The Kings leave for Toronto today. Thompson will meet the team there in time Sunday's game against the Raptors. "I'm hoping this break will be good for him," Kings coach Paul Westphal said Friday. "I think that maybe when you're too close to things … he gets a chance to step back and remember what makes him effective and focus on those things." Thompson, like a lot of his teammates, has struggled to find his flow on the court lately. He was solid with 12 points and 16"
Jason Thompson has King-size growing pains
February 1
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"Jason Thompson is one of those people who laugh at the people who consume pots of coffee for energy. He can't sit still long enough to experiment with relaxation techniques. He is all atwitter about social networking. His life is a chronic race between mind and body, and when his size-20 sneakers slap across the finish line ahead of his brain – when he gets ahead of himself – that usually means trouble. He commits too many fouls. He drops too many passes. He bobbles too many rebounds. He muscles inside against double-teams, launches jumpers out of his range, becomes so discombobulated that he forgets about defending his man. And then he gets benched, furthering his frustration, and"
Fouls, ineffectiveness limit Thompson
January 19
Sacramento Bee
 
"As if the uncertain pairing of Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin wasn't enough to keep Kings coach Paul Westphal up at night, his frontcourt continues to struggle. Second-year forward Jason Thompson logged just 16 minutes Monday in the Kings' loss to Charlotte, marking the fourth game in the last five in which he has played 23 minutes or less. It has been part foul trouble and part ineffectiveness for Thompson, who has hit 26 of 74 shots (35.1 percent) in the last seven games. He drew his fifth foul with 8:25 left in the third quarter Monday and returned for the final second of the game. "It'd be nice to stay on the floor," said Thompson, who hit 3 of 10 shots against Charlotte and had six"
Thompson's rut parallels Kings' slide
January 12
Sacramento Bee
 
"When the Kings started their season with a 9-8 record that earned them the early honor as a surprise team in the league, Jason Thompson deserved as much praise as anyone. And just as there was a correlation between the Kings' strong play and that of the second-year forward, the opposite has taken place recently. Thompson is in quite a rut these last five games as the Kings have gone 1-4. Or, as he would call it, a "funk." In that span, he is averaging nine points on 35.1 percent shooting, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 turnovers per game. "I've never been in this type of funk before, (or) maybe I have," Thompson said while pausing to recollect. "In (July) summer league (in Las Vegas) was the last"
Kings' Thompson doesn't mind lack of attention
January 4
Sacramento Bee
 
"Three consecutive losses and a 14-19 record aside, the Kings know they are in a much better place than they were this time last season. Credit has been given to many and praise heaped upon management, coaching and the addition of three rookies who have put new life into the franchise. Meanwhile, Jason Thompson toils with little acclaim. And that's fine with him. The second-year forward finds he is an expected source of stability this season. He's the only King to have started all 33 games. His scoring and rebounding are up from last season. Kings coach Paul Westphal continues to expand Thompson's role as a facilitator in the offense. But as the national media begins to take notice of the"
Nets on brink of tying futility mark
November 28
New York Post
 
"The Nets are at 16, going on 18. With the Lakers and Mavericks lined up and licking their chops for a crack at them, the winless Nets lost their 16th straight game last night, becoming just the fourth team to do so at the start of a season. The Nets waited until the second half to play with a pulse but it was too late. The Kings ran roughshod early and exhaled with a 109-96 victory here. "We came in and we had a pretty emotional halftime," said Devin Harris (25 points, 6-of-22 shooting) who keyed the comeback with his get-to-the-line aggression (13-of-17 free throws). "The first half was not the way we wanted to come out. Defensively, we were kind of lackadaisical, and we let them get"
Rockets outworked by Kings in defeat
November 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets had enjoyed their little overachieving, early-season run, proudly coming up big while short-handed. But they had not patented the formula. The Kings, already without Francisco Garcia, lost Kevin Martin and then remade themselves as the Rockets had without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The Kings took their revival to a fourth consecutive win by smacking the Rockets 109-100 with an intensity-filled, house-rocking triumph Friday night in which they beat the Rockets with what had been the Rockets' way. "They beat us to every loose ball," center Chuck Hayes said. "They wanted it more. They cut harder. They committed themselves on the defensive end. I mean, every aspect."
Kings' Thompson' fast-breaks the mold
November 10
Sacramento Bee
 
"There are many 6-foot-11 players in the NBA who would love to grab a rebound and lead a fast break to set up an easy basket. But most players that size would find themselves on the bench should they try to do that in a game. Well, consider Jason Thompson one of the lucky big men. The Kings' second-year forward has the OK from coach Paul Westphal to initiate the offense when he can while proving to be an important component to the halfcourt offense. "Last year (defenders) would play off me just because they didn't know my game," Thompson said. "They would try to force me to shoot, thinking I couldn't shoot. So when I start making shots, it opens things up and leaves open lanes for Kev"