The word "playmaking" was not expressly imputed to Harden, but both Morey and McHale specifically discussed the desire for a secondary playmaker in the interviews they did in the days following his exit interview. I would be surprised if Harden's top priority after that record-setting TO game was improved shooting in the backcourt, rather than another ball-handler/facilitator to relieve him of the burden he carries nearly exclusively. Only he knows, I guess. Help might well come at the deadline or before -- I hope it does. I'm just speaking on the roster as currently constructed and wondering how many of their plans for the summer assumed Llull was on board.
Thornton averaged 21.3 points in 27 games with the Kings. On March 14, 2011, Thornton scored a career high 42 points against the Golden State Warriors. In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 NBA season, Thornton played 51 games and averaged 18.7 points. On January 24, 2014, Thornton tied his career high in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Scoring 42 points last season, I'd say he's REMOTELY close.
He averaged 7 points and not even 1 assist this past year. He isn't a playmaker. No team will have to game plan for him. He's a volume shooter that's all. That's all he has ever been. On occasion he can get hot and light it up by that's not often.
He also scored 42 points in a game last year. We don't need someone to take over scoring every game. We just need someone who can create their own shot every once in awhile besides Harden. Marcus can do that.
Basically. Did we need scoring off the bench? Yes. Thornton gives you that. But he is not a secondary creator by any stretch. Those were always two distinct needs, in my mind.
I'm pretty confident Harden wasn't asking for a guy who can help every once in a while. I'm sure he finds it frustrating when he has to score 40 points to beat the lowly Nuggets because we have zero people who can get theirs and set people up. We will see this year but 8m jot holding my breathe about Thornton being anymore than a guy who will score 5-8 PPG with the occasional 20 point outburst.
Agreed and I felt Harden was asking for a secondary playmaker when he said his comment not a bench shooter.
Without turning the ball over in a playoff game and costing his team the victory. Sorry, I forgot to add that part.:grin: Anything for Jeremy Lin huh? Lol let him goooooo.
according to his gamelog he only had one game in the 20s and it was 21pts on dec 7 vs the wizards. didnt had a 40 pt game last season http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4017/marcus-thornton im not sure where everyone si getting this "scoring spark off the bench" from but if you look at his past two seasons he did nothing like that. he was a scrub on bad teams, except suns who he only played 9 games and had terrible numbers. its like you guys are focusing on his good years and completely ignore his last two lmao
Well what player do you have in mind and what trade have you constructed that would be feasible for both sides? Every team needs an elite guard who can shoot, create and defend, but thats not saying much now is it? Be realistic here. Given what the market has to offer and what it might take to construct a trade to land a star...Marcus Thornton is a very decent signing with low risk and high reward potential. He will never be a star. Nor do we need him to be.
Literally no one is saying Marcus Thornton isn't a decent signing. Literally no one. Some of us are simply acknowledging that he does not relieve the playmaking burden on Harden.
I said last year. Not last season. There is a difference. One that you overlooked. Marcus Thornton scored 42 points on January 24th, 2014. You are wrong. :grin:
So first we needed a shooter next to Harden. But now it's playmaking that we need. Some of you guys sure do love to flip-flop. Lemme guess...we also need a defender. Am I right? A PG that can defend, shoot and create! Genius I tell you!
well i'll be, you're right! still, not gonna be a scoring spark esp with that fat ass. a good spot minutes player and 3rd string sg
Please show me where I've flip-flopped -- I'll wait. Seriously, show me. Your reading comprehension is really quite poor. We have ALWAYS needed a second creator. Those of us who actually watch games have discussed this need ad nauseum since last fall -- it's nothing new. Like, not at all. Every team could always use improved shooting, and the Rockets are no exception. But a secondary playmaker has always been the most obvious/glaring need. And if those of us who see the need are so off base, I guess McHale and Morey are too for acknowledging it repeatedly, right?
I know I was right. But you didn't know you were wrong. Glad to help out the misinformed :grin: And I'll take your salty analysis as a joke considering you had to refer to Thornton's appearance versus his 42 pt performance.
