Don't see no reason why Thabeet can be a very good shot blocker for us when even the Wolves can turn Darko into a serviceable player last year, who did come in at top 5 in blocks per game last season with just a little over 20 minutes per game. Even his rookie season with the little time Hasheem played his block% was near the very top, only coming behind McGee I believe. If Thabeet played a little more aggressive like McHale wants him too and got similar minutes to Darko, I'd be willing to bet he'd be up there in blocks while improve our help defense a lot. Just think of when we played the Heat and how easy they just drove straight to the basket without much worry about getting their shots blocked all game. He's what we need the most right now besides maybe a star player... the presence in the middle.
Is Thabeet working out with anyone of note during this extended offseason to try to improve his game? Does anyone know anything about this? Since he did not appear to receive much attention in Memphis, this seems like it could be an important question relative to Thabeet's prospects for ever earning a starting job with the Rockets. Is Carroll Dawson currently a full time employee with the Rockets? Or could someone like Thabeet contract with him privately to continue his drills while the holdout wears on month after month. Dawson and Yao had previously said that Thabeet needs lots of practice repetitions to master the skills that he will need, just like Yao also did. This seems like a great time for him to be getting those. So, is he?
What a joke. If he can't do it in practice (or D-League), then he won't do it in an NBA game. If you guys want to see him play so badly, you should have gone to the D-League games.
The D-league and particularly the RGV were all up and down, with very little post up or defense being played, it was like watching a fast paced pick up game. It certainly seemed guard oriented, by a lot. Thabeet is a project, anyone that took him in the draft knew that going in, that means a team that invests in him needs to teach him the game, teach him how to play, use his feet, proper positioning etc, etc..etc.... The Rockets have time to do that now....I think the Lockout is hurting him more than any other player, he needs the attention from NBA coaches... DD
There was news a week ago that he was playing tennis to help work on his footwork. Then this on twitter a couple of days ago... He is currently following me on twitter. Should i invite him to Clutchfans?
All the guys here would have to stop calling him Thabust and ish like that before he joins, otherwise it'd be bad for him and he'd demand a trade.
I would warn him ahead of time. Of course he knows, after being in the league for 2 seasons now, that haters are going to hate.
Demand a trade??.. He wouldnt have to if Im Morey...He would be demanding his paychecks... I'd garnish his wages every pay period due to lack of productivity...
Even the Memphis coaches said that the Thabeet trade would come back to bite them. I believe it will, to some degree.
He looks like he doesnt want to be out there in every game I saw him play for the Rox last season. He doesnt put in any extra effort of hustle, he barely puts in any effort at all. No enthusiasm, no heart, nothing but nothing. Thats just attitude we havent even begun to talk about ability. Because he has no ability. I dont think he will ever put it all together at this level. Can you imagine a NBA team with Hill playing PF and Thabeet at C with Donatas coming to bench to back up either spots. I can - its going to be the Rockets.
yeah, the need to earn a starting spot is over rated. with McHale, our peerless fearless, just start the bench and welcome Lotto Our Savior.
The new coaching staff should find a way to get Thabeet into the regular rotation. Just to recap, my idea was to start him for the 1st ten games or so. Then bring him off the bench. I have a feeling that Finch is going to get Thabeet some playing time.
Just read up on Thabeet, and found this part extremely interesting. When we drafted (Thabeet), Tony Barone, who's head of our player personnel thing, said, 'If you draft him, then you've got to play him. He needs to get minutes to develop.' ... We basically never really could find the time for him to get him in the lineup to really develop him as much.'' "I don't know whether it's a mistake (having drafted Thabeet),'' Heisley said. "I look at (giving up Thabeet) with great concern. ... I think Houston needs a good center and I think that Thabeet could come back to haunt us. ... Absolutely, it's hard for us (to trade Thabeet). It's extremely hard. ... If he develops, he's going to be a big factor in this league and we might be eating our words.'' I love our guys, but I am all for trading it all away to get future picks and playing time for a Marcus Morris. Patrick Patterson, Hasheem Thabeet frontline...
I really hope McHale and his staff do exactly that, you can not learn in practice, what you learn in games. Who cares if he fouls out, put him in, and let him block shots and board. Develop him.... DD
