[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

With the 7’4 C Hasheem Thabeet now in Houston, is there any sense of hope that this kid becomes a servicable player offensively? I look at what opportunites are granted to him in Houston:

– Has a coach in NBA legend Kevin McHale who can most definately teach him a thing or two offensively (Footwork, post game).

– Teammate Luis Scola could also assist him in this department.

– HOFer Hakeem Olajuwan, who stays tight with the team he won 2 titles with, perhaps can lend a helping hand with the Rockets’ "Frankenstein" (?)

These are just reasons for me to believe Thabeet can embrace this opportunity in Houston to learn valuable lessons he wasn’t given during his tenure in Memphis from here on out. All three people I just mention have a reputation for being excellent scoring big men, with the inclusion of Hakeem’s defensive prowess. Thoughts?

 

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

I can’t see him developping as an impact player.

he could be serviceable as a back up center with defensive abilities, but offensively….

therefore the rockets are loaded in the paint with quality players or young guys with upside (scola, patterson, hill) and are chasing chandler, nene and dalembert.

[knicks4lyfe88Participant]

I think he could really help a team like the knicks, But to me he seems like a player who wont do Sh** til hes in a contract year i.e. jerome james…so on that note we should expect him to play good every 4-5 seasons lol

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I’m a Memphis season ticket holder and Thabeet was given every chance to become a decent player while in Memphis..They werent looking for points from him..They wanted defense, shot blocking and rebounding..But he was constantly getting sholved out of position, by big men and even some shooting guards..He had very poor footwork,doesnt really understand how to play the game yet..Which caused him to commit alot of silly fouls..And once he got that reputation,sometimes players would pretend like he fouled them and referees would rule in their favor..Coach Hollins sent him to the D-League hoping he would go there and post big numbers..But he failed to dominate there..Thats when the Grizzlies washed their hands with him ,admitted they  made a huge mistake on draft night and decided to trade him…

 While at UCONN coach Calhoun and his staff molded him into a nice college player..And he won Big East Player of the Year..He could get away with only having great athleticsim and running the floor well in college, becuz he was much bigger than everyone else and going up against smaller and less experienced players…

 

[Scottoant93Participant]

Its simple for hasheem thabeet to be anywhere near a servicable player he needs to

1. get stonger- as rudeboy stated he gets pushed around too easily

2. he needs to truely develop a work ethic and start to focus- hes looks to comfortable just being in the nba that hes lost. He also needs to be more agressive in rebounding and on the offensive side

3.Timing- this is not college you don’t have to block every shot and you have to make players think you block every shot(yes i stole that off of nba 2k10). He’s entering his 3rd season he should know when and how to control his fouls.

This will literally probably be a make or break year. If he continues to suck Hasheem will be out of the league when his rookie contract ends

[JoeWolf1]

 Offense? No.  I think Thabeet’s only chance at sticking in the league is if he finds a notch as a shot blocker and post presense, much like DeSagana Diop or late career Shawn Bradley.  Still, that is up in the air due to his stupid mistakes and fouls.  The Mutombo of the D-League is most likely going to make his living blocking and altering shots.

Hopefully McHale and co can help him find a nitch blocking shots, but I feel there is a 2% chance of Thabeet doing sky hooks and dream shakes in a couple years….and 2% is pretty generous.

Jordan Hill, Pattrick Patterson and Marcus Morris are a different story.  I think those 3, who at least have a stronger offensive base, will greatly benefit from Kevin McHale.

 

[JNixonParticipant]

 Hasheem Thabeet doesn’t know how to effectively play basketball when there is a defensive 3-second rule. It was not exposed at UConn because you can park in the paint. If he is ever able to learn how to play with the rule then he can be a Diop-type. Not that that is really what you want from a 2nd overall pick, but still.

[Da1potParticipant]

 I have to admit I thought for a while he could be a pretty good NBA player based on how he performed at UConn. The one game when they played against Pitt and he got dominated by Dejuan Blair changed my opinion. It made me realize how physically weak he was and how easy it was to push him out of position. Blair is a strong dude, but he pretty much effortlessly threw Thabeet around despite Thabeet being listed at 265. Right now, he only has above average athleticism, shotblocking ability and (obviously) size. If Desagana Diop can have a ten-year career, Thabeet should be able to stick around in the NBA for a long time as well- because of his potential, size, and intrigue.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

He did have (some) nice defensive moments in Memphis,but it was only in spurts..Teams were afraid to go inside on him..But he couldnt do it on a consistent basis..It was only for about 5 minutes a game..Then he’ll go back to committing fouls..You also have to fault Memphis also,for making the mistake of trying to get him to become more offensive mided…And he hadnt understand how to play the game yet…

To me the only difference between Thabeet and Diop,is that Diop is much stronger and he can hold his position inside…

I remember toward the end of his rookie year during a game i was attending coach Hollins took him out and scolded him for committing 2 fouls in 40 seconds and for letting a small forward toss him around..A fan behind the bench yelled out”’Hey Lionel”my 10 year old son can do better than that African..Give him a spear and then he’ll clear some people out inside the paint….This was coming from an african american guy….Thabeet shouted back”i bet my anoconda can please your wife better than your earthworm can…The Memphis bench bursted out in laughter,even coach Hollins had to chuckle….

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