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More Likely: Thabeet Being A Force OR Hakeem Returning?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by BleedRocketsRed, Feb 28, 2011.

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BleedRocketsRed Member

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Lock if posted.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18929

NBA At 2: Houston's Trade Explained

By: Bill Ingram Last Updated: 2/28/11 2:22 PM ET | 2680 times read

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When the Houston Rockets traded prized small forward Shane Batter to the Memphis Grizzlies for Hasheem Thabeet there was a collective gasp from the fan base in Houston. Thabeet, after all, had a hard time finding the court on a Memphis team that desperately needed his contributions, and his growing reputation for simply not caring about the game is reinforced every time he gets into a game. Meanwhile, Battier has been the heart of the Rockets franchise for years, and was easily the most popular member of the team.

(Who's your daddy? BATTIER!)

At the end of the day, the Rockets took the only deal available to them in their quest to add a big man, while also giving up Battier in a quest to find out what they really have in Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams. They were happy to get a first round pick as part of the trade, which also brought seldom-used DeMarre Carroll (expiring contract) to Houston. How optimistic are the Rockets that Thabeet will actually pan out for them? Check out this exchange from Saturday night's pre-game conversation with Rockets head coach Rick Adelman:

Reporter: "How about Hasheem tonight?"

Adelman: "What about him?"

R: "Do you just throw him out there?"

A: (laughing) "No, no. He hasn't been playing for them, why would he play here? What am I supposed to do with him? Let's give it 36 hours and we'll see if we can figure it out."

In truth, I couldn't find anyone around the organization who could say, with a straight face, that Thabeet had a shot to be Houston's answer at the five. When I suggested to GM Daryl Morey that he should bring Hakeem Olajuwon in full-time to work with Thabeet, Morey said he thought Hakeem returning as a player was more likely than Thabeet actually being a force for the team.

That's a telling reaction.

The more optimistic move for Houston was the trade that sent Aaron Brooks to Phoenix for back-up point guard Goran Dragic.

"(Goran's) familiar with a lot of what we do; they run a lot of our stuff," said Adelman. "I don't think it's a real problem for him as a point guard. He knows our corner, he knows our elbow and a lot of the stuff we do, so I don't think that's going to be a problem. We want him to push the ball, just push the ball. We won't be running a lot of plays unless it's out of a timeout or special plays, so that's about the best we can do."

In some ways, it's addition by subtraction for the Rockets. Brooks was upset about playing time and losing his starting role, but the team was simply better with the defensive-minded Kyle Lowry starting. Dragic, by contrast, is happy to come off the bench and learn the ins and outs of his new team.

"They're two very different players," said Adelman. "Aaron was a big part of what we've done here the last two years, so it's going to change things. Goran's a solid player. He's played behind (Steve) Nash (in Phoenix) and I think he's comfortable playing in that spot. I don't think he's quite as explosive as Aaron is, but I think he's going to be a solid back-up point guard for us."

As for the rest of the team, it will be interesting to see how Battier's departure impacts the small forward rotation. The starting spot is Chase Budinger's to lose, and he shows no signs of losing it. Then it's up to Williams to show he belongs on the team. He's been complaining about playing time, so now he's got his chance. The Rockets need him to pan out if they're going to make the playoffs.

"You just don't know what's going to happen until you start throwing people out there," said Adelman. "Chase has been playing 18 minutes a game and now he's going to be playing 35 or more. It's not what you want to do with 20-some games left, start changing everybody's roles and changing everything, but it's the world we live in."

Budinger, in particular, holds the key to Houston's playoff hopes. He's been brilliant at times scoring the ball, but he's certainly no Battier on the defensive end. Adelman has spelled it out for Budinger, making it clear he has to be ready for his shot.

"He better be. It's his opportunity. What we want him to do is be more than just a three-point shooter. He's gotta run the floor, attack the basket more, he's going to have more opportunity to do some things offensively, but he's also going to have to take some responsibility with guarding people. At (small forward) you run into a lot of (star) people. We'll find out."

That's really the book on Houston for the next 21 games . . .we'll find out. They're riding a four-game winning streak after taking out the New Orleans Hornets last night, and they have the most favorable schedule in the West to finish the season. They are three games behind the Grizzlies in the race for the West's final playoff spot, with Utah and Phoenix just above them in the standings. Hasheem Thabeet may not be a factor, but the Rockets very much believe they can be a playoff team.

Now they have to go out there and prove it.
Click to expand...

#1 BleedRocketsRed, Feb 28, 2011

BleedRocketsRed Member

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Crap forgot to add the poll. Can a mod please do that for me? Thanks in advance.

#2 BleedRocketsRed, Feb 28, 2011
amaru Member

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I hope Morey didn't say that.

Given that Thabeet is a young player such a statement could destroy what confidence he has left.

There is still a shot that he could be productive, but if those that are supposed to develop him are already throwing in the towel on him w/o even trying then he is doomed to fail.

#3 amaru, Feb 28, 2011

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Hard to believe Morey said that at all really.

The press conference he said something completely different, and I just doubt he'd tell a reporter that about a player.

#4 JayGoogle, Feb 28, 2011
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If he were going to be a force, then the Rockets probably would have had to give up an asset for him, but they didn't.

Fact is, if he turns out to be a poor man's Dalembert, the trade was a success.

#5 ashishduh, Feb 28, 2011
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I'd say its more likely that Thabeet will become a force in the paint. Why would Dream come back? He doesn't need the money, and he's already done enough for this franchise. Thabeet, on the other hand, can either step up to the challenge becoming a force in the paint, or he can forever be known as a bust/internet meme.

#6 Johndoe804, Feb 28, 2011
Amel Member

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that line is straight up hilarious

but knowing Morey, there is no way he said anything like that

#7 Amel, Feb 28, 2011

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When I suggested to GM Daryl Morey that he should bring Hakeem Olajuwon in full-time to work with Thabeet, Morey said he thought Hakeem returning as a player was more likely than Thabeet actually being a force for the team.
Click to expand...

Bill Ingram making up BS again.

#8 Egghead, Feb 28, 2011
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JayGoogle said: ↑

Hard to believe Morey said that at all really.

The press conference he said something completely different, and I just doubt he'd tell a reporter that about a player.
Click to expand...

Morey and Ingram are tight like that. He shares insider only info with Ingram.

#9 Carl Herrera, Feb 28, 2011
REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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stopped reading after

"Bill Ingram:"

Mods please lock this up before we actually make money for this buffoon.

#10 REEKO_HTOWN, Feb 28, 2011

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amaru said: ↑

I hope Morey didn't say that.

Given that Thabeet is a young player such a statement could destroy what confidence he has left.

There is still a shot that he could be productive, but if those that are supposed to develop him are already throwing in the towel on him w/o even trying then he is doomed to fail.
Click to expand...

Yes I hope morey didnt say that, I don't beleive he would either.

Hope we can get Hakeem to help him out so he can be productive at the 5.

#11 KingStevo10, Feb 28, 2011
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Bill Ingram lies and makes stuff up.

Morey should un-friend him on Facebook:

Either Ingram misrepresents what he said or he breaks the confidentiality of a private conversation by leaking a remark that was obviously not meant to be relayed.

#12 AroundTheWorld, Feb 28, 2011
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Its from Bill Ingram on Hoopsworld.

I wonder how he spoke to Morey in person when he lives in Florida?

I doubt Morey actually made that statement about Thabeet, let alone make it in front of the media.

Something does not add up there, I guess as usual, he is using hearsay and innuendo to qualify his opinion.

#13 Dennis2112, Feb 28, 2011

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i lol'ed...

#14 acjeitherocket, Feb 28, 2011
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So that means Hakeem is coming back!!! :O

#15 BiGGieStuFF, Feb 28, 2011
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NO FREAKING WAY he told him that, no GM would ever say something like that about a player he just acquired.

#16 rockets934life, Feb 28, 2011
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Dennis2112 said: ↑

Its from Bill Ingram on Hoopsworld.

I wonder how he spoke to Morey in person when he lives in Florida?
Click to expand...

Dallas

#17 AroundTheWorld, Feb 28, 2011
gah Member

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If I was a D.A. I would fantasize about jailing him for this crap, he deserves at least a couple of days in there.

#18 gah, Feb 28, 2011

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rockets934life said: ↑

NO FREAKING WAY he told him that, no GM would ever say something like that about a player he just acquired.
Click to expand...

This.

Article is lies. I seriously doubt a GM would attack his players' confidence by saying something like that.

#19 utcarbs, Feb 28, 2011
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someone needs to confront DM regarding this article to see who's making stuff up and if so pay the consequences of doing so.

#20 davestrate, Feb 28, 2011

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