How good is Al Thornton?

[spurket]

http://www.82games.com/0809/0809LAC.HTM

He played 67% minutes.
8 Clippers played at least 23% minutes.

His 'on court +/-' was -10.2 (worst of the 8).
His 'off court +/-" was -5.7 (worst of the 8).
His 'net on court/off court +/-' was -4.5 (worst of the 8).

own production: 14.1
opp production: 17.0
net production: -2.9

Last season, his eFG% was .456. His career eFG% is .455. The league average over the past 2 seasons was approximately .500.
Thornton scored 91.2 points for every 100 points he attempted from the field (free throws not included) last season.
The league average was approximately 100 for every 100 points attempted.
Last season, he attempted 30.7 points and made 14.0 from the field per game.
The league average would be 15.35 points so Thornton's poor shooting is costing the Clippers about -1.35 points per game. He doesn't make up for it in any way either. Some players have a low eFG% but make up for it by doing other things well but Thornton is not above average at anything.

I see him as a detriment and a liability to the team.

His "net production" and "net on court / off court +/-" are both negative.

His career PER is 12.7, which is well below average.

The Clipper would be so much better if he didn't play or shoot as much.

He might be a good guy and plays hard but he just isn't any good and the numbers prove it.

[spurket]

net on court / off court +/- (minimum 23% minutes)

Randolph +7.1
Camby +6.9
Baron +2.8
Novak +1.7
Gordon +1.4
Fred Jones +0.4
Kaman +0.2

Thornton -4.5

[Yoshi2kx]

Corey Maggette

[PlinkingPanda]

That's nice.

[ClipperDomination]

Corey Maggette

Version 2.0.

Doesn't do anything nice except slash when he can. SF is now the Clipps biggest hole to fill up long term. There is a chance he can get better with other aspects of his game (vision, IQ, defense, rebounding, etc.), but I doubt he becomes a starting caliber player on a contending team.

I understand he's only got 2 years of experience under his belt, but I honestly don't see him improving his overall game, much like Maggs.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I say we see if he can improve his +/- next season

[scratch21]

We really sucked last season so its hard to tell about those #
If he does the same this yr then we can move him

[playaloc916]

Yeah, I think those numbers are a bit flawed, because the team was in shambles last year. He knew it, so he tried to take control and be the number 1 guy when he had the opportunity. I think it's clear that he currently doesn't have the skills to be a franchise player or a number 1 option. This is where he became a bit of a liability, a second coming of Maggette. As long as the team is somewhat healthy, and he understands that he is a complimentary piece and not a main one, then I think the numbers will improve.

[remixer2017]

the numbers last year were bad for almost everyone on our team not just al. All Al needs to do improve his shot selection and defense and he will be fine.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

the numbers last year were bad for almost everyone on our team not just al. All Al needs to do improve his shot selection and defense and he will be fine.

And maybe pass the ball a little more as well

[BoomFizzle]

the numbers last year were bad for almost everyone on our team not just al. All Al needs to do improve his shot selection and defense and he will be fine.

And maybe pass the ball a little more as well

Agreed, he was a bit of a black hole last year.

[TheChaser]

Loved the guy at FSU. One of the few bright spots being a Florida State basketball fan.

[og15]

Corey Maggette

If he could get to the line and score efficiently like Maggette and was 6'9, there would be a lot less complaint. He isn't close to being as good as Maggette.

He's a below average player in the league, a below average outside shooter, and just below average in general. If he was a good defensive player or a good outside shooter who could spread the floor, or even better, both, then he would obviously be a much better player for this team.

At the least though he does have a chance to improve his outside shot and possibly, but less likely his defense. If not, the Clippers will have to be looking for a better fix at the SF spot.

[mkwest]

I'm going to give him another year to show what he will likely be in this league. In his rookie season, he was easily the main bright spot on the team besides what looked like an emerging beast in Chris Kaman. For the players of his draft class, he's still 2nd in scoring to Durant. Now others that are comparable (Young, Chandler & Green) may very well pass him up as they offer a more rounded game or at least contribute in other facets of the game. Now the problem has been that he has not been a very efficient scorer.

In his first 2 seasons, he's shown to be indecisive and a ball-stopper. When he attacks, there's not much you can do because he has such a quick first step. The team has tried to drill into his head that he needs to attack the basket and focus on slashing. He's heard it enough to know that, and he has mentioned it himself. He just needs to make it become reality. After being put on the spot and verbally berated by Sterling in front of the rest of the team, there were instant changes in his play. He was attacking the basket, he was shooting efficiently, rebounding better, and he even managed to step up his game a little on the defensive end. For a 12 game stretch (right after Sterling's tirade) at the end of the season before he was injured, he averaged 18.25 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1 spg and .7 bpg on 55% shooting from the field. If he can play like that more consistently, then I don't have a problem with that at all.

Some may look at it as an excuse, but I personally feel that he's had a lot of turmoil to deal with here. He hasn't exactly had the best mentors at his position (Tim Thomas, Maggette, Patterson, Ricky Davis, etc.). There's only 1 guy left (Kaman) from his rookie season. Both years were marred with injury riddled makeshift teams (we've had the most different lineups the last 2 years running and probably the most player games lost to injury) night in and night out. There was no stability. Some players overcome their situations (e.g. EJ) and others become a product of their environment. Things should be a bit better for the team's chemistry, structure and health this season, so I'm more than willing to give him another season before writing him off. I know that I have made mention that he may be best suited coming off of the bench, and that would be due to us having a glue guy (Battier-type) player in front of him. Now if Al doesn't improve his defense, passing and ability to operate in the flow of the team, then he should be relegated to a 6th man role. It's up to him to make it happen though.

[gswhoop]

I would trade Maggs for Thornton in a heart beat.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I would trade Maggs for Thornton in a heart beat.

No deal, I don't really want Maggette back and I'm sure he feels the same way.

[ClipperDomination]

I would trade Maggs for Thornton in a heart beat.

No deal, I don't really want Maggette back and I'm sure he feels the same way.

+1

$ is also an issue with Maggs contract being wayyyyyyyyy too expensive for anyone's liking.

[SportsFan215]

I'm not that big of a fan of Thornton's. Yes, he can score, but so many other players can do the same, if not better, in the NBA. Thornton needs to improve his defense, passing, and rebounding to be a legit SF.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I think this is Thornton's make or break year. He still has the chance to improve as an NBA player. I hope he does, but if he shows that all he's doing is scoring this season then I guess that's the type of player he's going to be in the NBA.

[BoomFizzle]

Wow, this article really suprised me. Im not a big Al Thornton fan but overpaid...? Didn't bother to read how they worked it out but also notice Baron and Telfair are also on the list:

http://www.wagesofwins.com/OverPaid0809.htm