One thing I really like about him, from watching some of his games on LP Broadband, is the way the guy plays defense when his man is setting a pick on the ball defender. There's no waiting around, sitting back on his heels hoping the guy doesn't cross him up. When his man sets a pick, Thabeet hustles out there and puts pressure on the ball. It does lead to some frustrating fouls every once in a while, but it also pretty much kills the PnR game.
He may still be a bust, but the one thing I am optimistic about is that we finally got someone that plays up above the rim. And while it will be a a basketball-IQ and skills-challenged line up, I sure wouldn't mind seeing Thabeet and Hill playing together... heck, maybe even a tall lineup with Thabeet, Hill, and Patterson. Getting tired of teams shooting and rebounding right over the top of the Rockets. Heck, this would be an interesting lineup: Dragic (or maybe Twill) Martin Patterson Hill Thabeet
Clearly, but the point I'm making is that sometimes you do have to give up your body in order to make a play. I'm much more encouraged by a guy who will go that extra inch even if it means falling down, than by a guy who plays it too safe.
that video got me pumped. I would choose him with the no. 1 pick just from that video alone. I wonder if the grizzled scouting department watched a similar college version mix 2 years ago.
If a shot blocker falls in a forest after blocking a shot....does anyone ****ing care when as a team you manage to barely block 2 a game? I'd gladly have a guy fall every damn time after blocking a shot than never have one blocked at all.
Mutombo was more than just a great backup. He was a former all-star earlier in his career. You don't become one of the all time great shot blockers in NBA history because you were a backup. But the Deke comparison is valid. But a young Deke, I hope.
umm..why would it be fine for a 7-3 center to fall every time he makes a block?..thats how injuries occur..he really needs to work on his balance and learn to move his feet so he doesn't fall every time he goes for a block..we don't need another yao..
I'm sorry I'm trying to find where anyone said it was fine for him to fall every time he blocks a shot. If you could point this out, that would help a lot. No one is saying that is the preferred method or it doesn't need to be worked on....are they? Point remains, it is nice to have someone who actually can block a shot.
Neither Thabeet or Battier are going to save this franchise. Thabeet younger & comes with a draft pick, Battier 32 and on the back nine of his career. I get it. Still waiting for Morey's homerun move though.
If you're referring to my post, I'd like to clarify that I didn't say it was fine for a 7'3" center to fall every time he makes a block. He happened to fall down 3 or 4 times throughout the entire video, so it's hyperbole to say "every time". Obviously you don't want the anchor of your defense flying all over the place and putting himself out of position on every play. What *is* fine with me is having a center who is both capable and willing to block shots even when he has to sacrifice his body from time to time. That's just the kind of player that will make opposing players think twice about venturing into the paint. EDIT: Seems you might have been responding directly to jaxwithanx.
Guys, he fell down three times in the video. All three were spectacular blocks. There are far more significant worries with this guy than falling down when he blocks a shot, such as his apparent complete lack of basketball skills outside of weakside shot blocking.
You speak the truth. Seriously, if he can just master these three things, he has a chance to be a serious defensive player. Deke did these three things and mastered rebounding. Thabeet needs to bulk up a bit so he doesn't get pushed out of position. I'd add that he needs to figure out how to seal his guy off. If he can manage those things, he can be a beast. I never understood why it's so hard for bigs to learn how to hold the ball high.
I think the way he jumps and falls to block shots is a positive sign in the sense that he is willing to go all out to make the play. His propensity towards laying out for a block might heavily influenced by his soccer background. Maybe he was goalie throughout his youth.
