SALT LAKE CITY – Starting isn't everything.
Jason Thompson knew that even before Wednesday night, when the Kings rookie was on the floor at tipoff against New Jersey and stayed there for just 13 of the 48 minutes to come.
But as fourth-year swingman Francisco García played for the first time this season Friday at EnergySolutions Arena, Thompson was indeed the odd man out after starting 10 of the season's first 17 games.
Kings coach Reggie Theus opted to use rookie Donté Greene at small forward, with veterans Mikki Moore and Brad Miller up front.
Thompson, however, is less worried about starting than about avoiding the recent foul trouble that has had much to do with being stuck on the bench. Quick calls in games against Portland and the Nets led to the wrong kind of rhythm from the start, with Thompson combining for three points, nine rebounds and six fouls in 31 minutes.
Thompson said fear of the whistle has caused him to back off the gas pedal a bit, not a good thing for a player so often lauded for his nonstop motor.
"In the Portland game, I had two fouls in the first seven minutes, and then I had three fouls in the first 10 minutes of the (Nets) game," he said. "I've just got to learn what I can and cannot do. I mean, I thought I could be some kind of physical, have some type of contact when a guy is cutting, but I guess not. Or maybe it's a rookie thing or something like that. I've just got to learn and stay out of foul trouble."
With 26 games played between the exhibition and regular season, Thompson is approaching the number of games in a typical college season at Rider. Nonetheless, he said fatigue has not been a factor in his play.
"I wouldn't say that I'm tired," he said. "I'm tired of being in foul trouble. I've just got to learn from this."
Price is right – As backup point guard positions go, Utah hasn't been an ideal destination in recent years.
Jazz starter Deron Williams was not only a rising star in his first three seasons, but a durable one. He played in 244 of a possible 246 games and averaged no fewer than 36.9 minutes per game in the past two seasons.
But after signing a two-year deal worth $2.3 million with the Jazz last summer, former Kings point guard Ronnie Price has received plenty of playing time this season.
With Williams sidelined for 13 of Utah's first 16 games with a left ankle injury, Price – who started just three times last season – had started 13 games entering Friday. He gained enough favor from coach Jerry Sloan to average 23.6 minutes, producing career highs of 7.6 points and 4.0 assists per game. Williams returned to the lineup Wednesday.
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