Clippers rookie Al Thornton has been having a very solid season, but playing on a team that's so far out of playoff contention, not many have noticed. So when the lineups for the Rookie Challenge were announced yesterday, Thornton was unfortunately left off the squad. He and his teammates got the news before last night's contest against the hawks, and they were less than pleased.
And that news sent a wave of anger and colorful language throughout the Clippers' dressing room.
"That's some bull right there," the Clippers' Sam Cassell said. He also said some words that can't be printed, and he certainly had an argument.
Cassell said Wednesday, "There's a conspiracy going on. We must be in the state of Florida now. Did they watch that game, Jersey against the Clippers? Did they see Al Thornton that night?"
"That night" that Cassell is referring to, Thornton torched the Nets' Sean Williams (who made the Rookie team) for 22 points on 8-12 shooting. And last night against the Hawks, it was apparent that Thornton felt that he had something to prove.
In a game where Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette sat out with the flu, Thornton received extended minutes and dominated, going for a career high 33 points, hitting 13 of his 20 field goal attempts. If you're scoring at home, that's 16 points better than actual All-Star, Joe Johnson. Thornton may have been left out of the All-Star weekend exhibition this year, but with more performances like this, he'll be a lock to get to Phoenix next year.
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