Tuesday, March 29, 2016

This Week in Clawball

When we last checked in on Marcus Thornton, the former W&M star was finishing up a bumpy first professional season in the Australian Basketball League.

Now back in the States, and playing for the Boston Celtics' D-League affiliate in Portland, Maine, the first thing that's noteworthy about Thornton is that he's shrunk. Listed at 6'4" throughout his college career, the dreadlocked guard goes 6'2", 177 pounds as a Maine Red Claw. I would've expected the braids to add at least an inch.

Thornton's also picked up his game back Stateside, if only a little. In 10 games in the D-League, he's averaging 12.7 points, 2 boards, and 2.6 assists, scoring in double figures in eight of the ten contests. After shooting less than 30% from deep Down Under, Thornton's improved his long-range marksmanship, making 38.8% of his triples and 45.5% overall from the field. His 1.86 assist/turnover ratio is an improvement, though his advanced defensive metrics show that he's still got work to do.

It's fair to say at this point that we're unlikely to see our guy double the number of Marcus Thorntons in the NBA this season, or even next, but slow and steady progress is better than the alternative.

Now if the Red Claws could only figure out how to sell decent gear.

18 comments:

zman said...

Yoodge day here at G:TB, just a terrific fantastic day.

rob said...

bunch of low energy commenters here. sad.

TR said...

Don't believe the news. Harvey has chlamydia.

Mark said...

Hard to believe a post about a little known player in a hardly watched minor league hasn't generated more conversation.

zman said...

To be fair this post is a total complete disaster. I never would have negotiated a post like this never ever.

zman said...

Harvey's visit to the doctor went like this.

https://youtu.be/u1LXBFo4ncs

TR said...

Both Houston and Dallas have classic hip hop on their FM dials. This is enjoyable. I just spent 5 mins cranking Pete Rock and CL Smooth in my Dodge Caravan rental. #baller

Danimal said...

after initially reading your post this morning, i offered some sardonic ($5 jmu word) commentary but then thought better of mocking your efforts while i and others continue to disappoint. next time it'll be full on sardonics. sardonism. sardony.

zman said...

You go ahead and straighten it out TR.

rob said...

since when does the topic or quality of a post have any correlation to the number of comments?

Danimal said...

Apparently today

rob said...

the kids at gheorghe washington, not action bronson fans: http://www.washingtonian.com/2016/03/29/gwu-student-protest-action-bronson-show/

TR said...

Sad to hear that Luther's version of One Shining Moment will no longer be played by CBS. Shame on CBS.

I showed last year's version to my kids on YouTube and they freaked out. Won't be the same w/o Luther.

Shlara said...

Here's something interesting to discuss:
http://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/features/lisa-ann-basketball-interview/#JHvfUYQwml8A7qbw.97

I look forward to seeing her at rookie orientation

rob said...

we're to believe that cooking dinner is a metaphor, no?

mr kq said...

Tonight's album selection accompanied by a spot or two of red: Van Morrison Moondance, CSNY Deja Vu, and Neil Young and Crazy Horse Zuma. Cortez the Killer still brings it.

Squeaky said...

Wait, Rudy's mom was Patty Duke. Clueless.

zman said...

Another yooooooodge day here. Just a complete disaster. Makes me want to tear up my loyalty pledge.