The Classic Draft Blunder, Again.

[KG Living Legend]

      Hasheem Thabeet, Tanzania, Seven Feet, and three inches tall, Two hundred and sixty seven pounds, of pure, unadulterated, poop.
       Sent to the D leauge, the highest pick, (#2) ever to do so. Now there was some justification for taking him, he is really tall, can run and jump, and block shots. But best case you were going to get Mutumbo, and worse case you were going to get, well, Hasheem Thabeet.

 The Thunder made a solid choice in Harden, who fits in well with the Durant's. But Memphis Screwed up big-time, drafting the big hurt.
 There is usually about four or five really, really, good players in every draft. This draft was no different.

 This is why you must draft the guy, you think is the most talented player, regardless of position, or need. Danny knew Tyreke was the real deal. The first tier of talent in this class was, Griffin, Evans,  Curry, and Harden, all four about as solid as you can ask, as far as being complete players in college.

 Then you had Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Dejuan Blair, and Johnny Flynn. Four more, really experienced, solid players, you knew would be productive in the Nba.

 Now that's 8 players, that anyone who follows college ball knows, were solid picks, and you can't be hoping someone learns how to shoot and dribble win the NBa.

 Just take who you like the most beteen Harden, Evans, and Curry. Then make a key trade somewhere dowm the line.  If they would have taken Evans, they would start him at point, then Mayo, Gay, Randolph, and Gasol. Not bad huh. Then trade Conley when you want, or keep him as a backup. Point is draft an asset when you draft that high, Period. This, is their fault.

[thebirdman]

I like Thabeet. Everybody knew he was raw, so I don`t know what was expected of him. With his length he already changes the game on the defensive end. I think he can develop into a great defensive center but he needs time...

[KG Living Legend]

 How much time? So right now your saying yuo would still take him over, Curry, Evans, Etc.

[freshinthehouse]

Way too early to give up on him yet.  Guys that big often take time.  The only major blunders were taking him ahead of Evans and Curry.  No one else in that draft is all that exciting.

[thebirdman]

 How much time? So right now your saying yuo would still take him over, Curry, Evans, Etc.

Of course, not. I liked Evans the most on draft day.

But saying Thabeet is a bust after a few months is ridiculous. He has the physical tools to be a special player in the league. I watched a few MEM games this year and whenever he was in the game he changed it because of his length. I would give him at least 2 more year before I would call him a bust. Let`s wait and see how he looks next season and how much he improves...

[wdleehi]

I am more impressed that Memphis understood that he needs time to develop and he isn't going to get that time on the team right now, so they sent him somewhere to get that time. 


Even if it means that many fans would see it as a sign of being a bust. 


Big men take time to develop.  To early to label 'bust'

[Cman]

I am more impressed that Memphis understood that he needs time to develop and he isn't going to get that time on the team right now, so they sent him somewhere to get that time. 

Even if it means that many fans would see it as a sign of being a bust. 

Big men take time to develop.  To early to label 'bust'

Good point about Memphis' decision.

       Sent to the D leauge, the highest pick, (#2) ever to do so.

...of course, the D League hasn't been around that long, so this doesn't mean much.

[Andy Jick]

I see nothing wrong with this...  He was a project from the moment he was picked.  Get him some solid coaching and individual teaching sessions.  The final chapter of his career hasn't been written yet.  How he responds to this demotion will be the key...

[MBz]

Everyone knew he was a project, but he shouldn't have gone as high as he did.  Their were much better options on the board at the time.  With that being said, this was a guard heavy draft.  They had Conley, Mayo and Gay so they went for the best big man project available.  They drafted based on need.  I think the guy who may have fit in well would have been Curry, as Mayo really dominated the ball so Evans, Jennings, etc wouldn't have been as effective, but Curry's shooting ability would have made him a threat for the Grizzlies.

[JSD]

So players are a decided blunder or bust their rookie season now? I don't think that's being fair. I mean, give the kid some time to develop.

Then again, I'm one of the crazies that still thinks Oden (who would be wrapping up his senior year of college this year) will be the real deal.

[Greenbean]

It is expected for him to take time for develop but it also must be extremely frustrating for the fans (do they have fans?). Thabeet potentially is exactly the defensive presence that team needs. Put a guy like mutombo in his prime on that team and they would be contenders IMO.

[GreenFaith1819]

KG Living Legend - If Hasheem Thabeet eventually develops into another Dikembe Mutumbo, then Memphis got themselves a steal, IMO.

Good Post though..TP. The second paragraph is what stuck out for me.

[fairweatherfan]

I'll add to those who are saying that it's too soon to call the guy a bust.  Big men are traditionally the slowest to develop, much slower than guards or wings.  Thabeet hasn't looked great so far but he still has the ability to be a high-level player in this league.  I think in the long run he may well be better than Harden, for instance, who I'm still not sold on.

Still, gotta be quite a hit to his ego to have to go ride the bus from backwater to backwater. 

[KG Living Legend]

Everyone knew he was a project, but he shouldn't have gone as high as he did.  Their were much better options on the board at the time.  With that being said, this was a guard heavy draft.  They had Conley, Mayo and Gay so they went for the best big man project available.  They drafted based on need.  I think the guy who may have fit in well would have been Curry, as Mayo really dominated the ball so Evans, Jennings, etc wouldn't have been as effective, but Curry's shooting ability would have made him a threat for the Grizzlies.

 
  They drafted on need, is what you said. I'm saying, don't do that!!!!
 This is the NBA. You need two or three of the best players, and you can TRADE your assets for positions you need.

[Steve Weinman]

I see nothing wrong with this...  He was a project from the moment he was picked.  Get him some solid coaching and individual teaching sessions.  The final chapter of his career hasn't been written yet.  How he responds to this demotion will be the key...

Couldn't agree more, AJ.  I'm not sure who had any expectation of him coming in to be a big-time performer immediately: needs to add size and strength, needs to add an offensive game.  We knew that when he left UConn.

But he has the shot-blocking instincts and the size to be an impact defensive presence at the least and perhaps more than that if he puts in the work.

Covered this in some depth at D-LeagueDigest today as well: http://dleaguedigest.com/2010/02/26/victim-of-my-draft-night-stalking-now-a-d-league-assignee/

-sw