Really!?! A 2nd year player(with minimal playing time his rookie year), who was considered raw coming into the 2009 draft, isn't a good player by his 2nd year..... who would've thought!!
This is kind of the way I'm seeing it too. If all they wanted was an expiring (someone mentioned JJ), then most likely the only thing that would hold me back would be needing that player for another possible trade you're discussing. Pugs
How can someone who has barely played at all in 2 seasons suck? Players need to play in order to get any kind of rythm in the league. He certainly played well against us in limited minutes. Because he has barely played since coming to the NBA, i would put him in the same boat as J. Hill and label him as a rook. The guy just needs to play. If you get him around other centers who were once stars, he would adjust better. I really and truly think Hakeem can get this kid on the right track to at least be a defensive force.
They can suck NOW. -Thabeet is still a work in progress and might never get where some people think he has the ability to go. -Do the Rockets need a GOOD center long term.... Absolutely. -Is Thabeet that guy??... NO... he could be in the future, but whats the point of taking a bad gamble hoping he becomes something he is not. He is a project, and if you actually watched him play you would see that he is even worse than Jordan Hill at the moment. We already have one project Center who is further along than Thabeet. Whats the point in adding another? Get someone who you know what they are going to bring you every night. Now onto Hakeem.... -Look, putting the development of every project Center on Hakeem's shoulder is getting a little old. Can he help?... Absolutely. But he doesn't have this magic wand that suddenly makes somebody over 7'0" tall learn how to dominate in the NBA???... No. If Thabeet is going to be good IN THE FUTURE, it will be because he learns from everyone that teaches him... whether it be Lionel Hollins and Zack Randolph, or Jack Sikma, Carrol Dawson, and Hakeem. -Realistically Thabeet will most likely end up somewhere between Yinka Dare and Nazi Mohammed.... -Hakeem didn't get drafted before Michael Jordan and Charles Barkely because of his potential. He was a great player already you knew what he was going to bring you. Heck even Sam Bowie was a really good player who won rookie of the year. He just had horrible injuries that plagued his career. Please stop comparing Thabeet to Hakeem...
You can not be serious. He doesn't have the 1/10 the coordination that young Akeem had. Not even close.
.................................................Seriously? So, if I joined an NBA team, and naturally don't receive a whole lot minutes, that wouldn't be evidence that I don't belong in the NBA? Let's also add speed ( Hakeem wasn't beating anyone because he was so much bigger and taller than other centers, you know) and a drive which Hakeem has and which Thabeet has not shown AT ALL at this point. Honestly, Thabeet seems perfectly happy to have made it out of poverty, collect his 20 million in his rookie deal or however much it is, and then go live out his life. Which is not surprising, but not something we want at all.
we wouldnt want the dude to score simply to be defensive and alter and scare dudes out of the paint!!!!!!!!! the dude has f**king size for gods sakes, exactly what morey said "young defensive center".....that title fits thabeet well imo. i think he could be better defensively than shawn bradly and he a very long nba career!
Every time I see people suggesting to acquire a center, I ask the same question: Is he (or will he be) much better than Jordan Hill? If yes, then let's get on it. If not, pass.
10/10 post. This is EXACTLY how I've felt about Thabeet since watching his interviews late in his final season at UConn, before the draft, during the draft and after the draft. He's accomplished his goal and is satisfied. I don't think it bothers him one bit to sit around and collect a paycheck. Not once did he show a drive or spark that said, "I'm on a mission for greatness". The vibe I always got was, "I'm just so happy to be here". I seriously laughed out loud when the Grizzlies took him at #2. Definitely do not want this player. Right now, I'm not sure he will even get a 2nd NBA contract.
This. We are not looking for him to be like Hakeem. I guarantee you if he were to have a full offseason in Houston, he would at least develop a decent hook shot. He could also learn to affect shots better than a Jordan Hill might, being 7+ feet tall. This is all we need now. As far as his fouling troubles, that can be worked on as well.
I want to say Jeffries for Thabeet, but the money doesn't match up. Although i am sure Morey could figure something out to make it work. We still have the Ariza TE, also.
