htown11 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 In one of Thursday's 3,782 trades, the Memphis Grizzlies dealt former second-overall pick Hasheem Thabeet(notes) (plus DeMarre Carroll and a lottery-protected pick) to the Houston Rockets for cybernetic genius Shane Battier(notes) and guard Ish Smith. It was in many ways an admission of defeat for the Grizzlies with regards to Thabeet, a player who was selected in the 2009 draft with the expectation that he would be a part of the franchise for years. Things didn't work out, though, and the team deserves credit for turning him into an established player (and soon-to-be free agent) who can help them try for a playoff spot while Rudy Gay(notes) sits on the sideline due to injury. Then again, maybe the Grizzlies aren't quite ready to admit they made a mistake in drafting Thabeet. Because owner Michael Heisley thinks that this trade could come back to haunt them. From Chris Tomasson at FanHouse: "I don't know whether it's a mistake (having drafted Thabeet),'' Heisley said. "I look at (giving up Thabeet) with great concern. ... I think Houston needs a good center and I think that Thabeet could come back to haunt us. ... Absolutely, it's hard for us (to trade Thabeet). It's extremely hard. ... If he develops, he's going to be a big factor in this league and we might be eating our words.'' :glasses: hope the big man develops... worth a shot for the Rockets. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Grizzlies-owner-thinks-Hasheem-Thabeet-could-hau?urn=nba-326184 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 For essentially an expiring contract, you can't go wrong with trading for a 7'3 center loaded with potential. Memphis didn't have the big man coaches Houston has at their disposal such as Jack Sickma, who has done great work with Yao and our other bigs over the years along with Carrol Dawson. I know Hakeem comes down to Houston every summer and has worked with Thabeet in the past (even gave his 'seal of approval' before the draft), not sure about Dikembe but I've always hoped the Rockets would bring him back as a front office personnel or something. And of course there is the 7'6 monster himself, Yao Ming. So basically Houston has to be one of the ideal landing spots for Thabeet, plenty of guys that would work with him and hopefully groom him into a contributor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 For essentially an expiring contract, you can't go wrong with trading for a 7'3 center loaded with potential. Memphis didn't have the big man coaches Houston has at their disposal such as Jack Sickma, who has done great work with Yao and our other bigs over the years along with Carrol Dawson. I know Hakeem comes down to Houston every summer and has worked with Thabeet in the past (even gave his 'seal of approval' before the draft), not sure about Dikembe but I've always hoped the Rockets would bring him back as a front office personnel or something. And of course there is the 7'6 monster himself, Yao Ming. So basically Houston has to be one of the ideal landing spots for Thabeet, plenty of guys that would work with him and hopefully groom him into a contributor. Exactly if we cant develop him here in Houston then he just cant be developed. I really hope he reaches his potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest N/A Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 IMO, Thabeet is the black Shawn Bradley, but who knows.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 IMO, Thabeet is the black Shawn Bradley, but who knows.... 10pts 8rebs 3blks coming off the bench for us i wouldn't mind that all that much, for the first year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htown11 Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Reconstructing Hasheem: CD goes to work with Thabeet on Friday Carroll Dawson did terrific work in helping Hakeem Olajuwon refine his game around the basket. He did the same with Yao Ming and has worked tirelessly with Jordan Hill with mixed results. On Friday, with the Rockets back in town, he'll have a one-on-one session with Hasheem Thabeet, who was the second pick of the 2009 draft and once projected as an impact player. His rookie season was modestly productive despite numbers that lack otherwise. He seemed to understand that his game was defense and rebounding. But it fell apart this season and he ended up at the end of the bench. The Rockets have no idea if his career can be resurrected, but they think he's worth a try if he understands what he can be, and more important, what he can't be. If he can focus on defense, rebounding and shot-blocking instead of scoring, he has a chance. He lost his defensive focus in his second season. If he wants to score, if he thinks he's a scorer, he'll probably end up out of the NBA fairly quickly. But if he wants to work at his game, if he has Patrick Patterson's heart and desire, he has a shot. Project begins. http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2011/03/reconstructing.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Looks like the Rockets are going all in with Thabeet, love it. Lets turn this ship around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 For essentially an expiring contract, you can't go wrong with trading for a 7'3 center loaded with potential. Memphis didn't have the big man coaches Houston has at their disposal such as Jack Sickma, who has done great work with Yao and our other bigs over the years along with Carrol Dawson. I know Hakeem comes down to Houston every summer and has worked with Thabeet in the past (even gave his 'seal of approval' before the draft), not sure about Dikembe but I've always hoped the Rockets would bring him back as a front office personnel or something. And of course there is the 7'6 monster himself, Yao Ming. So basically Houston has to be one of the ideal landing spots for Thabeet, plenty of guys that would work with him and hopefully groom him into a contributor.Awesome post man. +1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Truth Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Memphis could've taken Tyreke Evans in that draft, but they already had Conley. I could understand that decision if Conley was an all-star caliber pg, but he was never even close. they should've taken Evans when they had the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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