Scouting Report: Marcus Thornton

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#1
Marcus Thornton
Position:
SG
Hgt: 6'4"
Wgt: 205
Age: 26
Number: 23
Nickname: N/A
College: LSU
Yrs with Team: 3
Yrs in League: 4
Previous Teams: New Orleans ('09-11)
How Acquired: trade for Carl Landry (Feb '11)
Contract: 2013-14 $8.2mil; 2014-15 $8.7mil;
Strengths: long range shooting, explosive scorer, feisty, likes the big shot
Weaknesses: undersized, defense, selfish tendencies, single minded

Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Explosive scorer with great range on his shot and a quick release. More than just a long range gunner though, as he shows a complete offensive game. Very aggressive driver given a seam, and a power athlete able to finish through contact. Runs the floor hard on the break. Even has a guard postup game which he can use to effect when the opposing matchup is a PG. Competitor who likes to take the big shots. That's the good. The bad is he does all of the above, all of the time. Passing the ball is rarely a consideration. Tactics are rarely a consideration. If the ball touches his hand, the only way its leaving is toward the hoop. Can settle for too many threes when cold, leading to some terrible shooting nights. Very streaky, can miss everything for entire halves, and then explode for 15 pts in a quarter. Can be a major blackhole on offense determined to get his shots up, but is actually a capable passer when he chooses to do so, especially on the break.

Defense & Rebounding
Competitive nature carries over to the defensive side of the ball, but is far from a stopper. A little undersized at the SG, and can be shot over by taller players on the perimeter. Strong enough to hold his own against post up players, but can be beaten laterally by quickness when switched onto point guards. Biggest problem is a complete lack of discipline. Hustles all over the court gambling for steals while leaving his man open to do whatever he wants. Looks similarly lost on rotations. Will use athleticism to aggressively snatch rebounds amongst the trees, but one of those all offensively minded players where if he's not getting shots, effort at all other facets falls off.

Intangibles
Suffered through an awful 2012-13 campaign, where he showed once again that not only does he need his shots, he needs his starts. In any situation except as featured starting scorer, looks lost and can disappear completely. Has many traits you love to see in a player. Competitive, energetic, loves the big shot. But also has many traits that are problematic. Is selfish on offense and mistake prone on defense. Last time he was paired with Coach Malone in New Orleans, the lack of defense led to his benching, predictable disappearance, and eventual trade to the Kings. But now in Sacramento with Tyreke gone and McLemore not looking ready, looks to be counted on as Cousins' second scorer/wingman, and has shown the ability to approach 20ppg in those sorts of roles.

Stats 12-13: 24.0min 12.7pts (.429 FG% .372 3pt% .881 FT%) 2.5reb 1.3ast 0.8stl 0.1blk 0.9TO
Stats Career: 26.6min 14.3pts (.438 FG% .365 3pt% .832 FT%) 3.1reb 1.6ast 0.9stl 0.1blk 1.2TO
NBA.com profile

 
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