Five emerging stars to watch

[Section 101]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/stor...e-emerging-stars-quietly-having-great-seasons

Marcus Thornton, SG, Sacramento Kings, PER:18.06



Thornton's breakout was foretold when his scoring average rocketed 13.5 points over the final 27 games of last season ... but in his first season as a full-time starter Thornton has established himself as one of the league's most consistent scorers with a career-best 18.6 points per game.... (he) will probably never be a lockdown defender, but he was never advertised as such. Thornton's prime objective is to score the basketball. And he does that very well...

The others are Ty Lawson, Paul George, Greg Monroe, Nikola Pekovic

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[jcwkings]

I think Thornton is good enough to make a couple of all star games in his prime. He knows what he is and at this point all he has to do is continue to add shots to his arsenal like any other world class scorer. I think by the time he reaches his prime in a couple of years he will at least be a solid defender. the guy is tenacious

 

[Anthony1]

I think Thornton is good enough to make a couple of all star games in his prime. He knows what he is and at this point all he has to do is continue to add shots to his arsenal like any other world class scorer. I think by the time he reaches his prime in a couple of years he will at least be a solid defender. the guy is tenacious

The best part about it, is that we have him locked in for another 4 years. It's rare that you get a young player, just about to enter their most prime years, and you have them locked up for 5 of their most prime years. That's why it boggles my mind when people start talking about how we can trade Thornton to various teams. His contract is the kind of long term deal that you want with a solid player. Trading him would be about the dumbest thing possible.

 

[SacTownKid]

I always forget this guy is only 24 years old. I keep thinking he's 29-30. Very mature game for a such a young player.

 

[Bricklayer]

No names. No specific I told you sos. But the debate has been had repeatedly in the last year.




And I told you so.

 

[Prince_XY]

The best part about it, is that we have him locked in for another 4 years. It's rare that you get a young player, just about to enter their most prime years, and you have them locked up for 5 of their most prime years. That's why it boggles my mind when people start talking about how we can trade Thornton to various teams. His contract is the kind of long term deal that you want with a solid player. Trading him would be about the dumbest thing possible.

Same thinking on how some wrongfully think of getting rid of Evans in exchange for a player that fits the team. It is probably a desperate answer to the perceived problem of two blackholes playing together and ruining team chemistry.

 

[xyrin]

Same thinking on how some wrongfully think of getting rid of Evans in exchange for a player that fits the team. It is probably a desperate answer to the perceived problem of two blackholes playing together and ruining team chemistry.

Nice job catching him there.

Tyreke is the more talented player on both ends of the court. You might complain that Tyreke doesn't have a jumper and doesn't pass, but I can just as easily complain that Marcus doesn't have elite ISO skills, elite defense, elite passing skills either. They are two very different players and are both extremely valuable to this team.

Marcus is on a great deal and I'm really excited by how he'll develop for us. If he just stays consistent and keeps the excellent passing going, then we have a very special player on our hands.

 

[mac]

Nice job catching him there.

Tyreke is the more talented player on both ends of the court. You might complain that Tyreke doesn't have a jumper and doesn't pass, but I can just as easily complain that Marcus doesn't have elite ISO skills, elite defense, elite passing skills either. They are two very different players and are both extremely valuable to this team.

Marcus is on a great deal and I'm really excited by how he'll develop for us. If he just stays consistent and keeps the excellent passing going, then we have a very special player on our hands.

Well put. Both guys are unfinished products that will continue to improve. Best case scenario is if we can find a way for the two to coexist successfully and not trade either.

 

[ppine]

I am a serious fan of Thornton's. His quiet approach to the game shows a lot of competitive drive. He is tenacious. Players like Salmons play like they are there for the pay check and nothing else. MT gets steals, his is a solid rebounder for a guard, his defense will get better. The Kings need his mental approach to the game.

 

[rekehavoc73186]

i hope thornton can continue to pass the ball the way he has especially on the fastbreak. We all know how frustrating he has been in those situations. This guy can be special if he can be a all around player. I love his killer instinct and his clutch shooting.

 

[funkykingston]

i hope thornton can continue to pass the ball the way he has especially on the fastbreak. We all know how frustrating he has been in those situations. This guy can be special if he can be a all around player. I love his killer instinct and his clutch shooting.

I think this will come. Thorton's JC route to LSU, his 2nd round draft pick status, his bench role for the the Hornets and his apprehension at the trade deadline last week all point to a guy who has never been sure about his footing in the NBA and has seen filling it up as his calling card and the thing that keeps him in demand and in the league.

He's a volume scorer who started out coming off the bench in New Orleans and then got noticed for the numbers he put up when Chris Paul went out. I think as he adjusts to the fact that (1) he's a starter for the Kings and (2) the team wants to keep him he'll continue to display a better all around game rather than a "score first, score always" mentality. And I really think it is that simple.

 

[RichieInRocklin]

I really really like Thornton and I really really like Evans. HOWEVER, if we could trade up to get the first pick in the draft (Anthony Davis), I would gladly trade Thornton to get Davis. This might work with N.O. if they got the 1st pick, ie., the Bayou Bomber goes home to N.O. Otherwise, I'm very happy to keep Thornton. If we get a good SF in the draft, then I could certainly see Thornton coming off the bench for instant offense and Evans starting at the SG. Anyway, nice to have a King mentioned as an "up and comer"!!