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Grizzlies Haven't Given Up on Struggling Hasheem Thabeet

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by ROX_fan_CT, Dec 21, 2010.

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  1. ROX_fan_CT

    ROX_fan_CT Member

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    http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/hasheem-thabeet-no-problem-with-another-nba-d-league-stint/

    By:Chris Tomasson

    Hasheem Thabeet hasn't exactly shown signs of being the next Dikembe Mutombo, the NBA's last top big man from Africa. In fact, he's looking a lot more like the next Yinka Dare.

    But Memphis general manager Chris Wallace insists he's far from given up on the center the Grizzlies took with the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Thabeet, a native of Tanzania, was selected ahead of the likes of Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and Brandon Jennings and well ahead of No. 26 pick Taj Gibson, who so far has been the best big-man pick of that draft.

    "I'm not a regrets guy,'' Wallace said. "I don't think he should be put in a dead-letter file. That's extremely premature for that.''

    Still, it's stunning how little the 7-foot-3 Thabeet has shown in his two NBA seasons. If you thought it was bad last year for Thabeet, who averaged 3.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.31 blocks for the Grizzlies during a campaign that included a stint in the D-League, look at this season.

    Thabeet's numbers are down to microscopic figures: 1.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.57 blocks. Yes, his minutes have decreased from an average of 13.0 to 8.7, but all his key statistics per minute are down significantly.

    "It's really difficult,'' Thabeet said about living up to expectations of being the No. 2 pick. "I'm here working out. The team knows where they are with me. I'm just doing my job. I don't really have an explanation about the question I get every day. I put myself in this situation so I got to deal with it. But to be part (of the NBA) is special, and I'm happy to be here.''

    Say this for Thabeet: he has a great attitude.

    When word came last February that he was being sent to the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League, an unprecedented move for such a high pick, Thabeet didn't complain in the slightest. He averaged 13.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.17 blocks in six Dakota games.

    " I wouldn't have a problem. I just want to play ... I don't want to be the guy that's hanging around. I want to play. So if they call me out there, I'll go out there. Now, I'm here so I've just got to do my work."
    -- Hasheem Thabeet on the D-League Now, Thabeet said he would accept it willingly if the Grizzlies decided again to send him to the D-League. He's eligible since teams can dispatch players in such a manner during their first two seasons.

    "I wouldn't have a problem,'' Thabeet said about going back to the D-League. "I just want to play ... I don't want to be the guy that's hanging around. I want to play. So if they call me out there, I'll go out there. Now, I'm here so I've just got to do my work.''

    Wallace said there are no immediate plans for Thabeet to again pack for Dakota, which provided an experience last season he said "helped me out a lot confidence-wise.'' But Wallace wouldn't entirely rule it out as an eventual possibility.

    "I do think that he has improved,'' Wallace said of Thabeet this season, despite his scoring, rebounding and blocks averages all being down more than 30 percent on a per-minute basis. "He's practiced hard and his strength and conditioning are better. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten a great deal of playing time this year. We see so much small ball in the NBA, which has resulted in (6-9) Darrell Arthur getting a lot of time (off the bench instead of Thabeet).''

    It was encouraging for the Grizzlies against Charlotte last Wednesday, when Thabeet had eight points and three rebounds in 14 minutes. But in the next game at Houston last Friday, Thabeet didn't have a single point or rebound in 15 minutes.

    The 2009 draft marked the year of the point guard, and one can see why the Grizzlies decided not to select one of the many top players available at that position. Memphis has fourth-year man Mike Conley Jr., who has continued taking steps toward being an upper-echelon point guard.

    But teams usually blow it when drafting big guys for need rather than taking the best player available. And that's what's happening with the Grizzlies.

    "They're nowhere near what I want them to be, but I don't get as much playing time,'' Thabeet said of his statistics. "But I believe in working out every day to get better.''

    Say this at least for Thabeet: his 2.7 career scoring average is higher than the 2.1 Dare put up in four NBA seasons with New Jersey after the native of Nigeria was taken with the No. 14 pick in 1994.

    Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter@christomasson
     
    #1 ROX_fan_CT, Dec 21, 2010
  2. MourningWood

    MourningWood Contributing Member

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    He looks like a clown on stilts running up and down the floor... dude has the most awkward, uncoordinated running motion in the history of organized sports.

    I don't think he'll ever do amount to anything in this league... he should have pursued a career in a traveling circus, or maybe the WWE. He's a sideshow act.
     
    #2 MourningWood, Dec 21, 2010
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  3. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    That Yao Ming guy does, too.
     
    #3 Carl Herrera, Dec 21, 2010
  4. Aleron

    Aleron Contributing Member

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    #2 pick big men seem to have this trend going for some reason.
     
    #4 Aleron, Dec 21, 2010
  5. roslolian

    roslolian Member

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    Ehh...I think Memphis being Memphis has a lot to do with it. Thabeet won't live up to his number 2 pick, however he can be very solid starter in the league. With players as big as he is attitude is 75% of the equation.

    I hope DM gets him at a bargain basement price.
     
    #5 roslolian, Dec 21, 2010
  6. Mathloom

    Mathloom Shameless Optimist
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    Reminds me of Desagana Diop's career.

    I think he'll struggle for a while then some veteran players and coaches will turn him into a utility player. "Just grab ever rebound and try to block every shot coming off the bench."
     
    #6 Mathloom, Dec 21, 2010
  7. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

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    Thabeet seems like a decent guy. It kind of sucks that he gets ragged on so much. It's not like he chose to be picked #2 in the draft. That being said, he's a complete bust.
     
    #7 DudeWah, Dec 21, 2010
  8. SirCharlesFan

    SirCharlesFan Contributing Member

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    I remember my buddy, a big Thunder fan, being scared to death that Thabeet would end up in OKC. He said he'd never been so sure that a guy would turn into a bust. Of course, Harden hasn't been tearing it up, either.
     
    #8 SirCharlesFan, Dec 21, 2010
  9. Dreamin

    Dreamin Member

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    Maybe we can get him straight up for YAO's DPE. It depends on what others team can offers i guess. I think a lot if teams will make a call to see Memphis wants in return.

    The Rockets could have made something of him. And we still can. You Can Do It Morey!!
     
    #9 Dreamin, Dec 21, 2010
  10. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    Bust. Bust. Bust.

    Wallace's choice of words says it all. His use of faint praise is devastating.



    Here is where the problem may lie: He's just happy to be where he is.
    Having a "great attitude" and being "happy" while being a complete failure isn't the way to succeed in the NBA. Whatever upside Thabeet has is tiny. Maybe he can guard inbounds passers at the end of games.
     
    #10 A_3PO, Dec 21, 2010
  11. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    Trade him for our Trade exception, he would thrive in Houston...

    DD
     
    #11 DaDakota, Dec 21, 2010
  12. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    Thabeet just looks mentally confused and physically one step slow on the court all the time.
     
    #12 Carl Herrera, Dec 21, 2010
  13. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Contributing Member

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    Shawn Bradley.

    Sam Bowie.

    Hasheem Thabeet.

    Hmn, you may have something there.
     
    #13 ROXTXIA, Dec 21, 2010
  14. BasketballMind

    BasketballMind Contributing Member

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    Translation: we'd hardly get anything for Thabeet right now...I cant trade him until he shows flashes of.....something
     
    #14 BasketballMind, Dec 21, 2010
  15. drc3906

    drc3906 Member

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    Wow, that's a pretty trashy thing to say. Parents didn't teach you much character, did they?

    The guy has been in the league two years. He still has time to grow (skill wise). Not saying he will make it, he may not, but he still has time.
     
    #15 drc3906, Dec 21, 2010
  16. BasketballMind

    BasketballMind Contributing Member

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    Hayes is a much better defender than him w/o blocking shots. Is Thabeets deal expiring? That's the only reason I'd think Morey would trade for him... Get him then extend him cheap for a couple years. Otherwise, more salary for an undeveloped player.
     
    #16 BasketballMind, Dec 21, 2010
  17. BasketballMind

    BasketballMind Contributing Member

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    As of now, he definitely isn't worth his contract.
     
    #17 BasketballMind, Dec 21, 2010
  18. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    [​IMG]


    says hi
     
    #18 The_Yoyo, Dec 21, 2010
  19. leebigez

    leebigez Contributing Member

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    I think the guy just needs to play consistent minutes. I watched him come from the d-league last year and he played pretty well. This year, he's back to sporadic minutes and its not helping his development at all.He needs to play 25 minutes or so with a defined role which is blk shots and rebound, his offense is a bonus. If the griz cant do that, trade him or send him to the d-league and let him play there.
     
    #19 leebigez, Dec 21, 2010
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  20. NIKEstrad

    NIKEstrad Contributing Member
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    Off the top of my head --

    Alonzo Mourning
    LaMarcus Aldridge
    Antonio McDyess
    Elton Brand
    Tyson Chandler

    All seemed to turn out ok.
     
    #20 NIKEstrad, Dec 21, 2010
    1 person likes this.
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