As Jason Thompson has shown, being a productive reserve is an invaluable role that can help both the player and the team. While the numbers in Thompson's 11 games off the bench (11.5 points, 7.9 rebounds) don't jump off the page at first glance, per 36 minutes, he's actually performed significantly better as a reserve (16.2 points, 11.1 rebounds) than as a starter (14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds). The lessened pressure has seemingly allowed him to play more under control and avoid, or at least somewhat manage, his penchant for picking up personal fouls, a dubious category in which he's led the league in each of his two NBA seasons. The Kings have won two of the last four games, during which Thompson has averaged 13.5 points (67% FG) and 6.3 rebounds in 24 minutes per contest.
Much like Thompson, Beno Udrih and Spencer Hawes have had up-and-down seasons and three-year Sacramento careers while once being projected as the team's longterm starters. Although neither player's future will fully be determined until the offseason, as two of the team's streakiest and least consistent contributors, their skills could similarly be better utilized off the bench.
After a stellar 2007-08 season that earned him a much-maligned $32-million extension, Udrih arrived to camp out of shape last year and later blamed his miserable campaign on the coaches. He appeared unmotivated and unwilling to play through minor injuries while splitting time with Bobby Jackson and Will Solomon, raising questions about how he'd respond to competing for minutes with Tyreke Evans and Sergio Rodriguez going into 2009-10.
To his credit, Udrih has, at times, looked revitalized while playing alongside Evans, and the Kings have won 12 games of the 27 games he's started (though his per-36-minute splits in 38 games off the bench are nearly identical to those as a starter). A point guard with marginal talent, his best weapons have been a quick pull-up jumper, driving ability off the pick and roll, and decent three-point range (up nearly ten percent from last season). He's averaged nearly 13 points (51% FG) and five assists in 14 games after the Kevin Martin trade and has reemerged as a valuable veteran leader in late game situations.
The problem is that Udrih can be the best player on the court when he's on, but can just as easily take the Kings out of the game with poor shooting, questionable decision making, and lackluster defense. He's consistently been, well, inconsistent, putting up 7.9 points (45% FG) and 3.1 assists over the prior 16 games. Against the Raptors on March 10, he received worthy praise after one of his best games of the season, in which he put up 24 points on 10 of 14 from the field to go along with eight assists. In his last two games, however, he's once again pulled a disappearing act, averaging just 3.0 points on 20% shooting (0 for 7 from downtown) and 4.5 assists in 30 minutes, leaving Evans without a much-needed sidekick in the backcourt.
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