Game 58: LA Clippers (19-38) vs. Philadelphia Sixers (27-33)

JJ LoDuca · Post #41 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:22 am

Like MK and l2k are saying...the difference between Young and Thornton is that Thornton is 24 and ready to go. He's steadily been contributing, and it's safe to say that he'll be even more of an asset next season. Young still has that "potential" curse hanging over his head; he'll either meet that potential or fall short, and chances are, he'll come up short (but in the east...anything is possible). Thornton is the better all-around player right now, and it could stay that way till the man retires.

Fire BK · Post #42 » by **Fire BK** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:09 am

JJ LoDuca wrote: Thornton is the better all-around player right now.

If by "all-around," you mean 'scorer,' then yes.

Otherwise, Thad trounces Thornton in defense, rebounding, decision-making, basketball IQ, youth, shot-blocking, steals, intangibles, and upside.

Also, he'll ultimately become a better scorer, too. Not simply because of the East, though. Because he's 19 (the second-youngest player in the NBA) and he has natural post-moves while Thornton's just a jump-shooter.

Not trying to prove anything, Mod, just disputing the latter comment.

illastrate · Post #43 » by **illastrate** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 5:40 pm

Fire BK wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

If by "all-around," you mean 'scorer,' then yes.

Otherwise, Thad trounces Thornton in defense, rebounding, decision-making, basketball IQ, youth, shot-blocking, steals, intangibles, and upside.

Also, he'll ultimately become a better scorer, too. Not simply because of the East, though. Because he's 19 (the second-youngest player in the NBA) and he has natural post-moves while Thornton's just a jump-shooter.

Not trying to prove anything, Mod, just disputing the latter comment.

I haven't seen enough of Thad to know, but I know he will be a very good player.

Thornton does need to improve on his low post moves. He tends to post and then throw up a fadeaway(although he can hit it with regularity). His ballhandling and rotation on defense needs work, but already, you can see his ceiling is much higher than that of his teammate Maggette, whom some people compare him to. Personally, I see more of Dominique in Al.

Post #44 » by **loflin3hree5ive** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 6:52 pm

al thornton is a hot name right now. it's no surprise to me that other teams fans will try to put him down/hype their rookies up given the opportunity.

i had a feeling al would struggle tonight. philly has been impressive since the all-star break and long guys like iguodala will create a lot of turnovers. and it's no wonder philly played zone on us because we can't hit a three ball for our lives.

Sixersftw · Post #45 » by **Sixersftw** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 6:53 pm

gg guys. i don't see the dominique in al but he's a much better player than i thought he would be (besides the poor showing tonight).

Sixersftw · Post #46 » by **Sixersftw** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 6:55 pm

loflin3hree5ive wrote:al thornton is a hot name right now. it's no surprise to me that other teams fans will try to put him down/hype their rookies up given the opportunity.

our fans were putting him down because some others on our board were hyping al like he was the next coming of christ during the draft/summer league. alot of them called thad a horrible pick, destined to be a bust ect. until thad started tearing it up and they had nothing more to say.

Its kind of a misdirected backlash.

Post #47 » by **tk76** » Wed Mar 5, 2008 1:38 am

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/rookies/rankings
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinge ... onType%3d2

Thornton and Thad considered in the top 6. Young #2 in PER. Seems like both teams made out well.

Hopefully they will both be top players for the next 10 years (maybe 15 for Thad.) No doubt both teams need them to be good to help them out of mediocrity.

Post #48 » by **mkwest** » Wed Mar 5, 2008 4:26 am

Sixersftw wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

our fans were putting him down because some others on our board were hyping al like he was the next coming of christ during the draft/summer league. alot of them called thad a horrible pick, destined to be a bust ect. until thad started tearing it up and they had nothing more to say.

Its kind of a misdirected backlash.

It's great when a player can prove doubters wrong. A lot of Clipper fans weren't exactly thrilled with the Thornton selection in the beginning either. Many wanted Nick Young or Stuckey and there was word that Thad Young was a player that the organization was strongly considering if he were available. Too often you hear the draft is a crap shoot, and while that's true to an extent, there are teams that draft very well and even make their 2nd rounders count for something. Given a lot of the picks throughout Clipper history, we're satisfied with this one. One of the only things that has gone right for us this season.