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Ryan Thompson

I'm hopeful this guy can step it up Wesley-style and give us a quality YOUNG 2-guard. Bell is a great pick-up for the Jazz this off-season (almost as important to a title run as the return of tatermoog, but he did just have surgery), but Bell is a little long in the tooth. Big IF here, but IF Thompson comes in and competes that gives us a decent mix of youngsters and a couple elders-not-wearing-nametags:

Deron-Price (this board gives Price the Eisley treatment of why-isn't-he-better-than-our-starter?!?) - Gaines?
Bell-Thompson
AK-Miles-Haymaker
Big Al-Sap-Evans
Fes - Memo (eventually) - Mystery Meat (according to KOC)

What is neat (for me at least) is that only Deron and Haywood are high draft picks. Lots of 2nd rounders in this bunch who punch their ticket every night. Also, at least 8 of these guys play more than 1 position. I don't know that this is championship material (or even second round material), but I'm on board (and on board for more parentheticals).
 
I'm hopeful this guy can step it up Wesley-style and give us a quality YOUNG 2-guard. Bell is a great pick-up for the Jazz this off-season (almost as important to a title run as the return of tatermoog, but he did just have surgery), but Bell is a little long in the tooth. Big IF here, but IF Thompson comes in and competes that gives us a decent mix of youngsters and a couple elders-not-wearing-nametags:

Deron-Price (this board gives Price the Eisley treatment of why-isn't-he-better-than-our-starter?!?) - Gaines?
Bell-Thompson
AK-Miles-Haymaker
Big Al-Sap-Evans
Fes - Memo (eventually) - Mystery Meat (according to KOC)

What is neat (for me at least) is that only Deron and Haywood are high draft picks. Lots of 2nd rounders in this bunch who punch their ticket every night. Also, at least 8 of these guys play more than 1 position. I don't know that this is championship material (or even second round material), but I'm on board (and on board for more parentheticals).

What makes you think Thompson can play the 2? The reason he wasn't drafted was he has very little lateral quickness.



At 6’6, Thompson has good size for the wing along with solid length and a strong frame. He is a less than impressive athlete, however, and, while he could maximize his physical potential by slimming down some, he will likely remain below average by NBA standards.

From DraftExpress.com https://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ryan-Thompson-5060/#ixzz0yo9e80HJ
https://www.draftexpress.com

He would be SF only in my opinion. So that means that Miles will have to play minutes at the 2.
 
^^^ All good points. I think Ryan is a combo 1,2,3 ... how scary huh? As I stated above though, I think he's a rare guy that translates that mess into real court production on both sides of the ball. He is the 'it' factor.
 
So DraftExpress is the bible and what it says about a guy is always 100% accurate. Seems to me that last year some team signed a guy who went undrafted, supposedly short on NBA talent, and he ended up being a starter by the end of the season. And then another team thought so highly of him they offered a full MLE contract. For the life of me, I can't remember that guy's name: Mathis, Mayhew - something like that;-).

Players who might not have the lateral quickness to play the 2 as a starter may be able to play there as a backup. Or he might surprise us, just like - oh yeah - MATTHEWS! And in case no one has heard, the Jazz FO believes Hayward can eventually play the 2. That's the mismatch KOC talked about before the draft.

Really, we're talking about a possible competition between Jeffers amd Thompson for the last wing position. Neither would be expected to play much. So will Ryan be a better prospect than Othyus? I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd probably put my money on Thompson. Jeffers has a worse outside shot than AK!
 
DraftExpress also sung his praises louder than most and were shocked he wasn't picked in the 2nd round as well.
 
So DraftExpress is the bible and what it says about a guy is always 100% accurate. Seems to me that last year some team signed a guy who went undrafted, supposedly short on NBA talent, and he ended up being a starter by the end of the season. And then another team thought so highly of him they offered a full MLE contract. For the life of me, I can't remember that guy's name: Mathis, Mayhew - something like that;-).

Players who might not have the lateral quickness to play the 2 as a starter may be able to play there as a backup. Or he might surprise us, just like - oh yeah - MATTHEWS! And in case no one has heard, the Jazz FO believes Hayward can eventually play the 2. That's the mismatch KOC talked about before the draft.

Really, we're talking about a possible competition between Jeffers amd Thompson for the last wing position. Neither would be expected to play much. So will Ryan be a better prospect than Othyus? I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd probably put my money on Thompson. Jeffers has a worse outside shot than AK!

Matthews was always a considered a good all around player and good athlete. There were serious questions about his ability to handle the ball and about his guard skills as he often played the 4 in college.

Thompson may or may not make the team. But you have to compare what different players can bring in support roles. Jeffers has the athletic ability to slash, rebound and defend in the NBA. Thompson probably will be able to bring some scoring and passing to the wings. Based on his size he probably will be an okay rebounder. When you look at AK, Hayward and Miles we could honestly use both.
 
I'm actually hoping the Jazz are aware Thompson's coach at Rider worked him at PG to give him a better shot at getting drafted. I'd much rather replace Gaines with Thompson than Jeffers with Thompson, as Jeffers seems to have improved his game over the summer. Gaines not so...
 
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