A bunch of us were brainstorming NBA player comparisons for Marcus Thornton on Twitter after the Suns game. His game is sort of hard to pin down, because he has more speed (including that lightning-fast release… seriously, watch him next time) than a straight-up three point specialist is usually working with. He’s stockier and plays tougher around the basket than most of the usual “little guys” you could compare him to. But he doesn’t have the crazy athleticism of some of the other inside scorers. Neither is he a point guard or a multi-tasker who’s going to fill up much of the stat sheet besides points, threes, some rebounds, and one or two steals. “Pure scorer” is probably the best description for him, since he’s shown an instinctive ability to get his hands on the ball and get points from anywhere on the floor. Comparisons get more difficult when you consider his role– which is, currently, coming off the bench as a 6th man who, since the All Star Break, is responsible for 75% of the Hornets bench points. (Seriously. CST dropped this stat last night.) He plays the role of Manu Ginobili and Jason Terry, but his game is different. Some of the comparisons I’ve been hearing either don’t fit or are too old school for me to really agree with or disagree with.
Who else in the NBA plays or played like Thornton? Here are some of the ideas we (@snavetrebor, @LSUhornet17) came up with, plus a few other names I’ve seen thrown around. If you have a comparison you think is spot-on, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it! Oh, yeah, and if you think it’s a combination of two of the players on the list, you are allowed to select up to two. And if you picked “Someone completely different” you better leave a comment and say who, or else… well, you’re no fun.
In the meantime, take it to the hoop, Buckets. Maybe you’re just playing like you.
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3 people voted for “someone totally different” and didn’t leave a comment as to who. Not cool. Chime in people, this is fun.
I too want to know who these other people are!! The more players in the big ridiculous list of Buckets comparisons the better.
I have been thinking Dwayne Wade for about a month now. I think the lite is just until he bulks up a bit in the next couple off seasons. I think his style of play is a lot like Wade’s was before the first injury plus Marcus already has the sweet three ball Wade will never have.
I think the only reason why more people don’t make the connection between the two of them is that Wade just looks prettier when he finishes around the basket. (please don’t yell as I think Marcus has had some spectacular finishes at the basket) I just think this is a mechanics thing with the way Marcus almost always jumps off both feet. It makes his drives feel a little jerky, where as Wade’s always feels so fluid. But the moves at the basket, his double clutching, switching to the other hand to avoid the shot block, all is very Wade like.
I think the “lite” part is more due to his lack of Wade’s ridiculous athleticism than his size. Buckets is already pretty solid for his height, which is a big reason he can finish so well without being a great leaper. Don’t get me wrong, dude can jump, but he is definitely more below-the-rim than Wade.
I would agree with their leaping ability. I think that is why Marcus naturally goes with both legs to jump. He has always had to compensate for his height under the basket so he puts his full effort into every jump.
Just looked it up, Wade: 39″ vert. Buckets: 36.5″
However, they are right at the same height, they both book at 6’4″ but in reality they are a shade under with shoes on. Wade is 220, Buckets 205. Think of those crazy shoulders on Wade… I think CP3 will get on Marcus about bulking up a bit in the off-season, like he himself did the past two, in order to help hold his own with the bigger guys who he will face at his position. I’ll take Buckets at 220 of muscle over a 6’6″ 2 guard cover at 220, all day every day.
Thortons jumshot release reminds me of Ray Allen- I know its a bold statement, but its Super Quick!! it’s not like a slow almost freezefram jump shot like Kobe or other SGs. I truly hope he’s a starter next season-
He kinda reminds me of Dwayne Wade with a better shot but not as athletic. Another player that wasn’t on the list that he reminded me of is John Starks from the 90′s Knicks. Really tough with that killer, fearless, scorer attitude. Comes off the bench and can get hot from 3 land and also take it to the rim hard.
“But the moves at the basket, his double clutching, switching to the other hand to avoid the shot block, all is very Wade like.”
This. Exactly what I was thinking of. The “lite” is more because Wade is a superstar and has more athleticism (Thornton doesn’t dunk much and just isn’t as flashy… haha… Flash… get it?) I actually didn’t realize Wade had that much muscle on him… I think Buckets has a pretty good build for a “small” guy. He’s stocky enough that he can play bigger than he is. I’m sure he could put on more muscle in the offseason. Look how CP has bulked up.
I’m making a bold statement, but baring injury and with him getting starting minutes next season. I think he will be on pace with Wade’s production year to year.
I have been tracking his production in games that he posted 19+ minutes. I wanted to weed out the Byron Scott factor as much as possible. So with 41 games he has eclipsed Wade’s rookie season marks per 36 or 48 min, whatever you prefer, in points, rebounds, turnovers, 3pt%, and FT% in these games where he was given quality minutes. He is right on pace in the rest of the categories except assists.
In short, he may not be called a Superstar, yet… Next year will tell.
Still makes me laugh how he was the #1 power ranking SG on Yahoo and ESPN leaving college and was not drafted for his position in the first round. Amazing, and goodie for the Hornets. …Well at least until next year when they will have to pony up a pretty penny to keep him. YAAAAY for expirings coming of the books.
I’ve been thinking about this for a few days and the best I can come up with is Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson from the Detroit bad boys. The microwave term was for his ability to score so many points in a short period of time, or heat up the game. He came off the bench to play either guard spot.
With Paul as Isiah Thomas and Thornton as Vinnie Johnson, all we need is a Joe Dumars (sorry Darren), a Dennis Rodman, Bill Lambier, and crash course lesson on playing dirty. Then we can really be badasses.
Rodney Stuckey