Thornton Grades His Rookie Performance

[mkwest]

After a long pause, Al Thornton finally answers the question lingering in the air.

"I'd have to say a C," he said. "It's pretty low. I can't grade myself any higher. Consistency is the main thing for me. I've been up and down."

He may be his own harshest critic in grading his rookie year. But although he is one of the Clippers' few positives this season, his performance has been marked by flashes of explosiveness flanked by bouts of ineffectiveness.

Thornton acknowledges that earlier in the season, he tried to prove himself too fast.

"I think being overexcited and getting out there and trying to prove too much was it," he said. "Sometimes, I still get that way, but for the most part, I'm calm and laid-back and playing with more confidence."

LA Times

[Manhattan Project]

I have to think he is being extremely modest, because he is one of the sole reasons Clipper fans have to be excited. He surpassed all my expectations for him this year, quite fast. He made Maggette expandable and looks like he is a great fit in the long plans of the Clippers.

[ClipperEric]

Ditto. This guy is the man. Yeah he was inconsistent, but he's a rookie, its to be expected. And sometimes he had practically no help at all.

He is the biggest bright spot from a dreary year.

Can't wait til next year when he suits up along side Brand n Kaman.

[cinnamon]

No way he gets anything as low as a C for this season when he was one of the only things that truly lifted our spirits and raised out hopes.
His recent stat lines alone, especially for a rookie year, must at least boost him up to a B+ and if he can do that kind of thing consistently next year he'll be soaring up there in the A's.
But humility is also a virtue. This is a great guy to have on the team, in all ways. Someone I'm sure we all value and appreciate greatly.

[ClipperDomination]

Al had a fantastic rookie year, to say the least. As a role player (not a star), he contributed for the most part, but had his mental lapses, as all rookies have. He gets a B+ from me as well.

[mkwest]

B+ is about right (B at the very least) given where he was drafted and what his expectations were. This season has been miserable and I don't even care to think of what it would have been like without Al. I love the modesty. It gives us hope that he'll be a hardworker who will strive to improve his weaknesses.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

What more can I add to this thread. Maybe Al sees in himself that there is room for improvement. The thing that I always forget is that he hasn't been playing basketball for that long, he's a fast learner. I never thought that he would play this well for us when we drafted him. I remember that I wanted us to get Nick Young or Rodney Stucky.

Al has done a great job this season. He would get an A if he had played consistently through out the season. His summer league and pre season weren't flukes. We have a good player and a great person on our team. I believe that Al will really improve his game next season.