Al Thorton is a 6 foot 7 inch Senior Forward for Florida State. He has the dreaded tweener label as he plays more on the interior now but doesn't have the size to play the PF spot in the NBA. Additionally, he will be 23 in December, so he doesn't have the benefit of the potential tag like others in the draft.
He will need to demonstrate an improved outside shot and demonstrate the ability to defend the perimeter in order to become a first round pick
Thornton had a very nice game in FSU's upset of Florida. He put up 28 & 9 on 10/16 shooting and 7/9 from the line.
He absolutely willed the team to victory. When Florida was making their big second half run, Thornton came up with big shot after big shot to keep his team ahead and pull off the upset. His shot is much improved, he took and sank a big 3 with confidence in the second half with a hand in his face (at least a couple feet behind the college 3-point line). His post up moves need work, but he has a deadly fallaway jumper and is relentless on the offensive glass. He's a superb ball handler, even for an NBA SF. I really don't see him as much of a tweener, it's obvious he's worked on his outside game and has positioned himself to have a big year and be drafted in the first round. He has all the tools to be a good NBA SF, and his freakish athleticism will always be attractive. I don't think people realize just how athletic he is, watch the two dunks he threw down in the first half of the Wisconsin game, Thornton can absolutely fly.
Does anyone else get the impression that this guy is going to be a HUGE steal in the draft? I have a feeling he will start tearing it up as soon as he gets in the league.
I'm talking somewhere along the lines of 16/6 while being a strong ROY candidate.
Thoughts?
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The 2009-2010 Los Angeles Lakers
PG: Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar
SG: Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue
SF: Ron Artest, Luke Walton, Adam Morrison
PF: Pau Gasol, Josh Powell
C: Andrew Bynum, D.J. Mbenga
Very athletic, but seems like a 3/4 tweener. Could be a great bench player, but I don't see him as a future star. Just a great energy guy off the bench.
Al's definitely one of the more interesting prospects in the draft.
He has very good size for his position (3), great athleticism, and can score, a combination that basically guarantees a top 20 selection. One thing that surprised me about him is his shooting percentages this year, which are outstanding (52FG, 44 3FG, 82FT), especially so for an elite athlete.
I'm not too sure about the Matrix comparisons. One thing about Marion is that he's always been an elite rebounder. Al is good, but not great there. His assist numbers are low, which hurt. If he was averaging 3.5apg, he'd probably be a lock for the top 10.
As far as comparing him to other prospects coming into the draft, Josh Howard comes to mind. Josh was a senior SF that could score, rebound some, shoot well, defend well, good athlete, but was not a creator/distributor. Howard's now a $10m/yr player; good news for Al. He reminds some of Gerald Wallace as well.
I would say Josh Howard/Gerald Wallace is his comparative upside. Undersized, athletic PFs seem to be en vogue, which helps him.
Thornton also reminds me some of Eddie Robinson too, who excited the league upon arrival and then quickly washed out. ERob never had a 3pt shot, which Al seems to have. I think this is a worst-case scenario for him; I expect he'll be better.
He's got a lot of positives, and not too many negatives. Al's an elite athlete with good size and skill, experience, and leadership. I think he ends up going 8-15 this summer.
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Even tho he is already 23, the kid is still learning, and has loads of potential in his game.
I have watched him grow at FSU, and the thing that sticks out to me the most about his game?
Athleticism? Nope
Shooting ability? Nope
Defensive ability? Nope
His Heart and determination. This kid wants it more than any other player in the NCAA. Which IMO when he gets into the NBA the kid will be a star. His heart and desire is what makes him special IMO.
Al Thornton
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