[David Aldridge] Grizzlies Open to Dealing Thabeet

I wouldn't expect a first rounder back in that deal.. but it is interesting that a Grizzlies fan would also be on board for it. How would you evaluate OJ Mayo's game? It seems like he's been a disappointment for being drafted so high.

 

OJ is a rhythm player on a team that doesn't do a lot of passing. He is not very good defensively because he is undersized player, hollins convinced oj that he needs to sacrifice for the good of the team and now he has no confidence in his shot. OJ was put on the bench to give more consistent scoring, but more often than not, hollins uses the shooter guard position the most to experiment with the lineup. All of Tony Allen, Sam Young, Henry and OJ have been carouseled into and out of games.

 

I think you'd be crazy not to get this guy if the price is right. Defense in the middle is something the Rockets lack in a big way. You have two years to develop him, so why not? Yes he is raw but has something this team needs if he can be brought along.

 

He is bigger than Deke. He is longer than Deke. He is quicker than Deke. He is way more athetic than Deke. He has better hands than Deke. Now, think of all the lackluster big man in this league. What are they there for? Not because they are highly skilled. It's because they take up space, large amounts of space. This dude is like a gigantic praying mantis out there. Do I think he will be great? Absolutely not. Do I think he will play for 10 years in this league if he stays healthy? Absolutely. Could he become the next Deke? He's got all the tools to, and more, that's for sure. Now, think of all the first round busts in this league. Now, take an honest look at Hill and tell me he's got a higher ceiling and is going to have a better career than Thabeet? I don't see it. I'd flip Hill for him in a hot second.

 

Hill at power forward and Hasheem at center
Next year they'll be in there third year, and you know what they say about year three for big men. This front court could be legit next year...I would hope!

 

He SUCKS NUTS!!!!!!!

I WOULDNT TRADE FOR HIM IF HE WAS THE LAST CENTER IN THE NBA!!!

 

KM is one of the most efficient scorers in history, that's how. KM's a one trick pony but the one thing he does makes him borderline elite.

Mayo has a more well-rounded game, he played solid D at the sg position, and he certainly has better passing and vision than KM. However Mayo's scoring and shot has been inconsistent as of late, perhaps why he got benched.

 

Get is done Morey

 

Thabeet does NOT have the fire and natural basketball IQ that Deke has. Not even close. You have an eye for scrubs. Just because a player is young and athletic does not mean they automatically have a good future.

 

Bingo!!!

 

For the Right price I would do it and i believe the Rockets would 2

 

I only want to trade for Thabeet so that the arena announcer can play his song whenever enters the game.

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Neither does Jordan Hill. And I'm not for sure what Deke you watched but when you talk about bball iq, when a guy stands in the paint with his hands up, and is NOT a part of the offense except to rebound, you can't say he's exactly high bball iq. Thabeet did play at UConn for a pretty high bball iq coach and system. I don't think his bball iq is that high but I also don't see how you can say he is bball stupid either. He's 7'3" and athletic. His job on the basketball court will be to guard the rim, block shots, intimidate, and rebound. He will never be a go-to offensive player. Once you understand that, and you understand how sorry we are on the interior right now, and you can see how slow Hill's thinking is on the court, and you consider what Hill's true value really is, then it is not far-fetched to consider a Hill for Thabeet swap. I'm not saying sell the farm for the guy and sign him to a $60 million contract. I'm saying I would swap one project for another, Hill for Thabeet. And please don't tell me how good Hill is. He ain't.

 

Ya, I had the same thought to jopatmc's comments. I'm not saying Thabeet isn't worth giving a shot, but to compare him to Deke in terms of skills is missing the point of Dikembe - he had all those physical gifts and he was very smart on the court. What little I have seen of Thabeet, he just seems lost out there with the faster pace of the game. He could "get it" one day and I still think OKC should make a strong play for him, but right now the comparison to one of the greatest shot blockers in NBA history is just unwarranted.

 

I'll add this to the Thabeet discussion. Let's say instead of it being Memphis, this was San Antonio who was open to trading Thabeet so soon - does your opinion of Thabeet's prospects change? If you told me an anonymous league source said Memphis' internal developmental staff is a mess, I would probably be inclined to believe it because they have not been a well run team for some time now....so what does that mean for Hasheem's prospects? Can anyone think of a young player who blossomed under a new system after a shaky start to a career?

 

I don't understand the comparisons to Hibbert. They're both tall, but were drafted for completely different reasons. Hibbert was drafted for skills, his athleticism was actually a weak point. Thabeet was drafted purely on his body and potential. And even though he's greatly improved his overall game, Hibbert is still not a good defender.

Please stay away from Thabeet. The guy is about to turn 24 years old and has shown zero signs of life.

 

If Pops and the Spurs had a lottery pick that they didn't think could play, they would not announce they were taking bids on him. They would slap lipstick on him to make him look as good as possible, and make it appear that he was a part of their core, then they would make trade offers to other teams and act surprised when the other team wanted their lottery pick, then they would up the ante and slowly ease into a trade to maximize value. Memphis is stupid. They shouldn't have drafted the kid to begin with. They already had a very good big man developing in Gasol. They should have traded down. But they draft the kid. Then they don't play him, send him to D-league. Then the rumors get out that he's in Hollin's doghouse. Big deal. What has Hollins ever done? Nobody knows if he can coach. And they've already basically trashed out Thabeet's value. Not to mention mismanaged his development. As a poster stated above, Memphis is s-t-u-p-i-d. And them thinking a player can't play doesn't mean much.

They are doing the exact same thing with Mayo, devaluing him, so that when they decide to trade him they're gonna get twenty-five cents on the dollar for him.

 

Good point about the San Antonio vs. Memphis argument. I would definitely have a lesser opinion of him if a more reputable organization was giving up on him.

Jermaine O'Neal comes to mind as a guy who was buried on the bench but blossomed in another place once given the opportunity. Before people start attacking me saying JO has more skills than Thabeet -- I know this. But it's also a highly regarded opinion that big men don't really develop until their third year -- with the right coaching, Thabeet would hopefully become a disruptive defensive force for us.

I'm not looking for someone to drop 20 a night for us at the center position.. I'd settle for someone that can make people think twice about driving the line. Serge Ibaka is not a guy who will dominate offensively, but he's been a big contributor for the Thunder by providing them with a shot blocking presence down low.

 

This is the only trade I would be on board for not KM in the trade. Need a big that can block shots and rebound, look at what Deke did for the team when he was around.

 

Again, Serge Ibaka is so much further ahead than Thabeet it makes no sense to compare. Ibaka has had a decent mid-range jumper since last year. It's only this season that Scott Brooks has given him the green light. With limited minutes, Ibaka improved game-by-game instantly from the time he took the court last year. So much so that it took everyone's breath away. It's also clear Ibaka has worked hard over the summer and continues on the upward climb.

You guys keep reaching hard. "Big men don't really develop until their third year -- with the right coaching". Oh brother. It can't be Thabeet's problem he's gone nowhere at all. Has to be coaching. He "just needs the right situation". How many times have we heard that before?

Keeping bringing up Jermaine O'Neal. LOL! Reminds me of the V-Span lovers who said "remember Steve Nash". It's silly.