After many years of enduring mediocrity from Chris Paul’s back court mates, Hornets fans can finally breathe easy. With Marcus Thornton’s huge performances, non-stop hustle, big plays, and constant scoring, it’s apparent he’s quickly become a quality starting shooting guard in the NBA. More importantly, he’s become The Hornets starting shooting guard.

Thornton is obviously better than the guys he’s essentially replaced, but just how much? Let’s just say that even the die hard Hornets fans will be surprised at how mediocre the shooting guards have been for the past few years, even compared to a rookie like Buckets. It wasn’t until I compiled these stats that it truly set in how poorly guys like Pargo and Brown actually played.

When the team didn’t re-sign Pargo, I kept thinking how much they were going to miss him. Taking a closer look back at his numbers, it’s pretty obvious why Bower and company chose to let him walk, even if they did wind up missing his ability to get off bad shots. No sarcasm at all either. A bad shot is better than no shot or a turnover, and that’s what seemed to be the usual last year from the bench.

Moving on, here’s how Marcus Thornton stacks up statistically this year against guys who have averaged 20 minutes and played at least 40 games (and against JR Smith, who I despise, and Maurice Brooks ranks fourth in the Sixth Man Award race). These are mostly per-40 numbers to account for disparities in playing time.

Player	Points	Points per shot	fg%	3pt%	Assists	Steals	Turnovers	Usage	PER
Marcus Thornton	23.0	1.19	45.4	39.8	2.2	1.2	1.7	25.6	17.77
JR Smith	21.9	1.11	41.1	34.2	3.6	1.8	2.7	26.5	14.92
SG Average	17.3	1.21	44.3	36.1	3.5	1.3	2.1	20.45	14.41

If any shooting guard should see some sixth man of the year love, it shouldn’t be the ex-Hornet. Thornton is more deserving than J.R. Smith, despite the cast that surrounds them. If Denver wasn’t doing well, J.R. wouldn’t even be mentioned.

Even still, I just don’t see the reasoning behind him being anywhere near an awards table, even if it is just speculation at this point. He’s a below average defender and rebounder, and undeniably isn’t an efficient scorer. How can a pure scorer be pulling 1.11 points per shot and still be in consideration for awards?

Back to the point though- The Hornets haven’t had this kind of production for quite some time. Let’s take a look year by year and see how the Bees of yesteryear fared.

2006-2007

Player	Games	Points	PPS	fg%	3pt%	AST	Steals	TO	Usage	PER
Desmond Mason	75	16.0	1.14	45.2	0.00	1.8	.8	3.0	21.88	10.82
Devin Brown	58	16.1	1.21	42.0	35.7	3.6	1.1	2.2	19.58	14.27
Pargo	82	17.6	1.09	40.9	38.8	4.7	1.2	2.9	23.1	13.89
Buckets (09-10)	63	23.0	1.19	45.4	39.8	2.2	1.2	1.7	25.6	17.77

2007-2008

Player	Games	Points	PPS	fg%	3pt%	AST	TO	Steals	Usage	PER
Bonzi Wells	22	17.6	1.23	49.0	36.8	1.6	2.5	2.2	22.00	13.89
Pargo	80	17.2	.99	39.0	35.1	5.1	2.5	1.3	24.21	12.98
Mo-P	76	13.5	1.17	41.7	39.4	1.5	.9	1.0	15.38	9.79
Buckets (09-10)	63	23.0	1.19	45.5	39.8	2.2	1.7	1.2	25.6	17.77

2008-2009

Player	Games	Points	PPS	fg%	3pt%	AST	TO	Steals	Usage	PER
Mo-P	43	14.8	1.04	39.9	38.8	1.2	1.2	1.2	19.23	10.66
Devin Brown	63	15.1	1.05	35.5	28.9	2.5	2.5	1.5	22.81	9.84
The Phoenix	82	14.1	1.14	43.3	39.0	1.1	.9	.8	16.76	10.49
Buckets (09-10)	63	23.0	1.19	45.5	39.8	2.2	1.7	1.2	25.6	17.77

2009-2010

Player	Games	Points	PPS	fg%	3pt%	AST	Steals	TO	Usage	PER
Devin Brown	39	15.7	1.16	39.4	36.7	2.4	1.2	2.4	19.8	11.00
Mo-P	36	13.4	1.07	40.4	37.5	1.8	1.0	1.2	16.8	9.13
Buckets	63	23.0	1.19	45.5	39.8	2.2	1.2	1.7	25.6	17.77

I’m sure you get the drift, so I won’t bother going into any further details.

Sure is nice to have found a diamond in the rough. One more find like Marcus and the Bees could be buzzing deep into the postseason next year.