Positive: This kid has surprising efficient numbers in the paint and mid range for an undersized guard. A little Chris Paul like Negative: His stats against college teams with NBA players like Michigan is weak albeit only 3-4 games sample size. His foot speed is extremely slow for an undersized guard, like Chris Paul at age 40. Verdict: Good 2nd round value. Could be like Vinnie Johnson Microwave for our second unit.
Reminds me of a cross between FVV and Tari. Under sized, a bit slow and never saw a shot he didn't like.
They've done the next Jordan deal for decades now. And you're right, it almost never pans out. (Kobe excluded of course)
I kind of like the kid’s profile … but this is yet another example of the Front Office’s obsession with FVV. They just drafted a young version - short, slow, strong, smart, reasonable shooter, good handle, efficient, bulldog defense. Ime has a type - physically-limited try-hard bruisers. It’s a pattern every corporate executive should recognize - left to their own devices, most managers default to hiring people who look exactly like them.
Some truth to this, but there are some pretty significant differences between the way Thornton plays and the way FVV plays. Thornton is more of a combo guard who has a great midrange game and floater and seeks contact when in the paint. FVV is physical on defense, but less so on offense. Offensively, Fred is almost exclusively a high-volume 3P shooter and perimeter playmaker. I think Thornton likes to live closer to the basket and really make things happen with his physicality and his ability to make tough contested shots. The big question is going to be whether that can translate to the NBA. I actually feel like he's about as safe of a prospect to be an NBA contributor as you're going to find in the second round, but that may just end up looking something like Jordan Goodwin if it only kinda-sorta translates against NBA-caliber speed and size.
He's in the top quarter percentile in pretty much every shooting stat. Heck he had a higher TS% than Cam Boozer last season. His numbers got better after each of his 4 seasons so the consistently is definitely there. I'm intrigued.
HT/WT 6' 0", 223 lbs Short Squatty Guard. He better have great handles, a 3 pt short and stout Defender. With that body type I don't expect speed and quickness I hope he proves me wrong Appears to be a scorer We need punch a 4 yr starter - I expect some Maturity here Rocket River
Reed will have a very short leash next season if he doesn’t take a leap. Thornton is ready to compete.
Moreso than just valuing bruisers I think what we're seeing again with the Thornton pick is a front office that picks with consensus at the top of the first round and goes after weird min/max players later in the hopes of finding stolen value. In this case it's a guy who looks great in nearly every category except he's really short for an NBA player and there's not a lot of wiggle room in that height range when you don't have elite athleticism (which he does not). It's basic "moneyball" type stuff. Unfortunately the only time it worked out particularly great is with Sengun. So I guess we need to hope this is more in that category than in the TyTy Washington / Usman Garuba category.
The biggest problem with Thorton is that he was drafted this year, the year that Brunson won a championship. Now everyone expects Thorton to be Brunson and anything less means it was a busted pick. lol.
Yup. He's a classic Rockets FO pick. His metrics are outlier elite in certain ways, including the on/off impact stuff, but simultaneously he fails certain eye test benchmarks. Can't create separation, 6'0 barefoot, and generally moves like 36yo Harden. On paper he's an interesting pick, and I'm sure the models put him top ~20 or so in this draft. But at the same time, is he even capable of having the on ball juice to be a primary? No. You could watch one Ohio State game and know that. Not that you need that from a srp, and generally speaking I think Thornton is a good pick. He could absolutely be FVV. But the Rockets player acquisition philosophy has almost become a caricature at this point.
I just don't see him having the athleticism to make it in the NBA, he's built more like a fullback than a point guard and he makes FVV look quick and agile but comparison. I genuinely believe he'd deserve more playing time with the Texans than with the Rockets.
I never get too high or low on draft picks. No one knows what anyone is gonna be. Top 3 picks shuld be atleast allstars I tend to be very high on them. After that anything we get from any other pick is a blessing.
