MEM sends Thabeet to D-League

[Lucky17]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/64993/20100225/thabeet_sent_to_d_league/

What do you guys think about this?

On the one hand, I think it's a terrible move. Memphis should have the kid with the big club round the clock, training with professional staff and coaches, and learning the ropes of being in the NBA.

On the other hand, maybe the kid needs some confidence and as much game experience as possible, and by dominating (hopefully) the D-League, he might get some of that.

[Donoghus]

This should be a lesson to all NBA execs.  When you have a top 5 draft pick; draft on talent and what you see before your eyes not on need. 

I think most people were saying at the time that Thabeet was a project and had serious "bust" potential and nothing has really changed. 

He's definitely still young enough to turn it around and he's shown glimpses of good things but its still a headscratcher.

[Lucky17]

I know the "bust" label gets thrown around a lot. And I know you're not saying Thabeet is there yet, Dons.

But I gotta believe that some of the blame falls as much on the team as it does on the player. For instance, I have no doubt that in a parallel universe where Thabeet was drafted by the Celtics, he'd have a completely different career than the one he's currently embarked on.

Who's mentoring this kid? What resources are at his disposal? We're blessed with having Clifford Ray, who I think has been instrumental in Perkins' development (thankfully, Perk also possesses the work ethic and drive to do something with Ray's input).

I feel sorry for Thabeet. The kid went to a great college program, had a collegiate career of modest success, and got drafted too high by a crappy franchise. I hope his NBA career (whatever it may end up being) doesn't suffer for it.

[PosImpos]

It's almost a good thing for Memphis that they drafted him instead of somebody else; I can't imagine how they'd find the touches for Mayo, Gay, Gasol, Randolph, AND Tyreke Evans or Stephen Curry or whoever.

They had a high lottery pick, but I don't think they had a great situation for any high lottery player, except probably Rubio (if he had been willing to play there).  They need somebody who can run an offense and get all of their high-usage offensive players good looks, not another ball-dominating star.

[Who]

Thabeet has been the Grizzlies best bench player this season.

[Fafnir]

Thabeet has been the Grizzlies best bench player this season.

Yeah I don't understand this.

[PosImpos]

Thabeet has been the Grizzlies best bench player this season.

The guy averages 1.2 blocks in 10 minutes a game.  He'd have the most blocks in the league if he played starter minutes.  

He also has very good FG%, so it's not like he's hopeless on offense (or at least he's only going for easy attempts).

I don't really understand why they'd rather play Hahmed Haddadi.

[Who]

I imagine the Grizzlies want to give all of Thabeet's minutes to Darrell Arthur who only came back from injury recently.

Personally, I'd rather play Thabeet. I think he's the better player. Nevermind because it's the right thing to do to help him develop.

[Who]

I think Memphis needs to trade one of Marc Gasol or Hasheem Thabeet for both players to fulfill their potential.

One guy is going to get put on the back-burner and it's going to hold back his career tremendously ... and given how well Gasol is playing that player is a near certainty to be Thabeet.

[Lucky17]

I think Memphis needs to trade one of Marc Gasol or Hasheem Thabeet for both players to fulfill their potential.

One guy is going to get put on the back-burner and it's going to hold back his career tremendously ... and given how well Gasol is playing that player is a near certainty to be Thabeet.

Is there no way they could both play in the frontcourt at the same time? I wonder if that's what Memphis was envisioning on draft night. Or perhaps I give them too much credit.

[Donoghus]

I think Memphis needs to trade one of Marc Gasol or Hasheem Thabeet for both players to fulfill their potential.

One guy is going to get put on the back-burner and it's going to hold back his career tremendously ... and given how well Gasol is playing that player is a near certainty to be Thabeet.

Is there no way they could both play in the frontcourt at the same time? I wonder if that's what Memphis was envisioning on draft night. Or perhaps I give them too much credit.

You might be giving them too much credit.

[Who]

I think Memphis needs to trade one of Marc Gasol or Hasheem Thabeet for both players to fulfill their potential.

One guy is going to get put on the back-burner and it's going to hold back his career tremendously ... and given how well Gasol is playing that player is a near certainty to be Thabeet.

Is there no way they could both play in the frontcourt at the same time? I wonder if that's what Memphis was envisioning on draft night. Or perhaps I give them too much credit.

Both players are natural centers. It would be a waste to take Thabeet away from the rim defensively to defend power forwards and god knows Gasol can't do it.

They'd be able to play some minutes together because Thabeet is athletic enough and talented enough defensively to make it work. But it's not an ideal situation. It would make their life difficult offensively. Not a tandem you'd build a team around. A short term solution.

As for Memphis' planning, I don't think they expected Gasol to make the leap he made this season. I know I sure didn't. I don't think they considered him good enough to pass up on an opportunity to get a game changing defensive presence ... the type of player owner Michael Heisley has desperately wanted for the last 5+ years.

[Who]

I like Marc Gasol a great deal but I think Memphis might be best off trading him. He'll have terrific trade value and will be able to bring back a talented player.

Hasheem Thabeet, on the other hand, I'm not convinced teams will give up a major asset for him. Not after the 10mpg he's received this season. I think they'd be better off keeping him and developing him. He'll offer more value down the road than what I reckon they could get in a trade.

[Lucky17]

I like Marc Gasol a great deal but I think Memphis might be best off trading him. He'll have terrific trade value and will be able to bring back a talented player.

Hasheem Thabeet, on the other hand, I'm not convinced teams will give up a major asset for him. Not after the 10mpg he's received this season. I think they'd be better off keeping him and developing him. He'll offer more value down the road than what I reckon they could get in a trade.

Considering Wallace's reputation around the league as a sucker (deservedly earned or not), I imagine Memphis would get very little for Thabeet right now.

[KungPoweChicken]

I know the "bust" label gets thrown around a lot. And I know you're not saying Thabeet is there yet, Dons.

But I gotta believe that some of the blame falls as much on the team as it does on the player. For instance, I have no doubt that in a parallel universe where Thabeet was drafted by the Celtics, he'd have a completely different career than the one he's currently embarked on.

Who's mentoring this kid? What resources are at his disposal? We're blessed with having Clifford Ray, who I think has been instrumental in Perkins' development (thankfully, Perk also possesses the work ethic and drive to do something with Ray's input).

I feel sorry for Thabeet. The kid went to a great college program, had a collegiate career of modest success, and got drafted too high by a crappy franchise. I hope his NBA career (whatever it may end up being) doesn't suffer for it.

You're grossly overestimating a coach's worth on a player. To put it simply, some players have it, and some players don't. Thabeet doesn't. The sad part is just about everyone already knew this except Memphis.