Al Thornton talks to the media at shootaround today. Via Wizards.com.

over 2 years ago Mike Prada 18 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

SHOOTAROUND???

Does that say shootaround? The forbidden word Oh no, that must be a mistake…

by SkinsWizStangs on Feb 19, 2010 12:00 PM EST reply actions

Flip looks beat.

What, do the Wizards hold their shootarounds at 3:15 am?

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Feb 19, 2010 12:09 PM EST reply actions

I've been critical of the acquisition

But he seems like a really likable, positive dude. Hopefully some of that “freshness” shows through with the effort on the court.

by mfish on Feb 19, 2010 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Now isn't the time do be critical of picking the guy up

Maybe if he starts hurting the team on the court (not a shot at anyone), or bringing guns into the locker-room(that might be a shot at somebody). EG brought in a young guy that is relatively young and still has a lot to learn.

Let it snow- ping-pong balls, from the heavens.

by returnofswagger on Feb 19, 2010 2:01 PM EST reply actions

I think Thorton could potentially be the highlight of this trade deadline for us in a few years.

Not that he is gonna be a superstar, but he could be an important rotation piece off the bench in a few years.

Let it snow- ping-pong balls, from the heavens.

by returnofswagger on Feb 19, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't hold your breath on that

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

I know very little about the guy besides what I have read on this site

but there aren’t many other highlights of these trades. And he has is as much an option for future role player as Blatche or Mcgee at this point. Maybe not the same star potential but we bank on those 2 guys, especially Mcgee, and I haven’t seen more than physical potential out of him yet.

Let it snow- ping-pong balls, from the heavens.

by returnofswagger on Feb 19, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

He's not that young

He’s 26. I’m not sure what other development we’ll see.

by mfish on Feb 19, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Right. Thornton was old coming into the league.

In the passel-of-forwards workouts before the draft that year, Al Thornton kicked butt. He was 24 years old when he came in and he beat up on younger underclassmen when it was one-on-one scoring drills.

That’s pretty much Thornton’s game, is inefficient scoring. He’s a sort of Maggette scorer, junior edition – one difference being that Corey Maggette was 5 seasons into his career by the time he turned 24.

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Feb 21, 2010 8:33 AM EST up reply actions

Give Thornton a chance

Hey everybody – been reading the blog for a while, first time commenter. I’ve been a bullets/wizards fan since I moved to Maryland when I was 8 or 9. Moved to Florida when I was 14 but never stopped loving the Wiz. Anyway, you don’t need to know my life history. What I really wanted to say is that Al Thornton is a really good ball player and I’m excited that he is joining the team. I just graduated from FSU this past December and had the pleasure of watching Al dominate the ACC back in 2005 and 2006. FSU shouldn’t have been able to compete with the likes of Duke and UNC back then but with Al we always stood a chance. He lead us to some great wins that I never would imagined to be possible. He showed a lot of growth his first two years in the league but then kind of got lost in the shuffle this season. I think our situation in DC will give him a great chance to turn into a star player. I’m kind of scared about him and Howard having similar playing styles but I don’t think that will be a big issue. Sorry about the lengthy post – just had to defend Al since it seemed like nobody else was.

by blewis321 on Feb 19, 2010 4:08 PM EST reply actions

And since when is 26 old?

Everyone keeps attaching his age when describing him as if he is an old man that’s past his prime. Won’t it be good to have someone a little more mature? Seems like we have enough kids already.

by blewis321 on Feb 19, 2010 4:13 PM EST reply actions

26-year olds rarely make major improvements in their game

They are what they are, except for marginal swings one way or the other.

Would you call Chuck Hayes a prospect, for example?

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

24 was old, too

Thornton was a developed, but much more set-in-stone 24 year old when he entered the league. Lots of today’s rookies are 20 or so.

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Feb 21, 2010 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

True but..

…I also think new situations and opportunities allow players to improve and put up much better numbers. Take Jarret Jack (26) for example. Every time Calderon goes down the dude puts up huge numbers. I think we could agree that players like Will Bynum and Channing Frye (both 26) are young, haven’t reached their full potential, and would thrive with more minutes. I don’t see why Thornton won’t improve on his past numbers with his new opportunity in DC.

by blewis321 on Feb 19, 2010 5:23 PM EST reply actions