PurpleMenace.com - Thornton headed to L.A.

June 28, 2007

On Thursday night Al Thornton saw his NBA dreams realized, even if it was a few picks later than many drafts experts projected. The all-ACC forward heard his name called at the podium by NBA Commissioner David Stern when the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 14 overall pick, the final pick of the lottery portion of the draft. The selection drew rave reviews from ESPN Analyst Stephen A. Smith.

"He is special, there is no question about it, and that is what I love about this pick," Smith said after the selection. "That is exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers need in terms of aggressiveness and athleticism."

Fellow analyst Jay Bilas also complimented Thornton repeatedly and said that he would be a very good fit in the Clippers' up-tempo style.

"I think Al Thornton is the best available player and that is what the Clippers went with," Bilas said. "He is an absolute beast, an explosive athlete, really a world-class athlete that can just make plays. You put him on the floor and he is just going to find a way to get to the rim and get up and dunk on you. He is an outstanding offensive rebounder. He has great second-jump ability.

"He has got a high revving motor. I am not sure if there was anybody in this draft that plays harder than Al Thornton does. He just goes after it. He plays much bigger and much longer than he is listed."

Thornton was considered by most mock drafts to go either at No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings or No. 12 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Kings and 76ers drafted Washington freshman center Spencer Hawes and Georgia Tech freshman forward Thaddeus Young, respectively. Thornton's age (24) could have played a role in him dropping a few spots.

Shortly after he was drafted, Thornton spoke to ESPN commentator Stuart Scott about why he believes his age won't hurt, but will instead benefit the Clippers.

"First of all I think I am mature," Thornton said. "I think I am a lot more experienced."

Bilas, who sung the praises of Thornton, shared a couple of tips that could help the Clippers new forward at the next level.

"He needs to improve his ball skills, tighten those up a little," he said. "There are some questions about his lateral quickness to defend out on the perimeter but if you give him a step he is going to get to the rim and he is going to dunk it hard. Al Thornton is a big-time athlete."

During his interview with Scott, Thornton paid the Florida State coaching staff a major compliment. He said that he came in as a talented athlete from Perry, Georgia in 2002 and left as a lottery pick thanks to Coach Hamilton and his staff.

"I had a great coaching staff at Florida State, Coach Ham and his staff, I think they prepared me," Thornton said. "I just pretty much I knew I was an athlete ? all legs and pretty much a dunker. Like I said Coach Hamilton and his staff molded me into a basketball player, they encouraged me, and I had the desire to get better each and every year."

Warchant.com will continue to try and get up with Thornton for more on his selection.

Quick Facts on Thornton's selection:

- Thornton was the second senior taken in the top 14 picks of the NBA Draft lottery.

- Third highest Florida State Seminole ever selected.

- Thornton was the third ACC player selected overall (Brandan Wright, No. 8 Charlotte Bobcats; Thaddeus Young, No. 12, Philadelphia 76ers)

- Thornton will join fellow Seminole, Sam Cassell, on the Los Angeles Clippers.

All comments came from the ESPN telecast of the NBA Draft.