Will Hasheem Thabeet Be Given Another Opportunity At NBA Level?
As the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, it's safe to say that Hasheem Thabeet holds the dubious honor of being one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. He played with four teams (the Grizzlies, Rockets, Blazers, and Thunder) in five seasons from 2009-14, averaging 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds through 220 games.
Scouts, coaches, and other
talent evaluators on the big league level often say that should a
respective big man have just enough talent, they'll likely be in the NBA
sooner, rather than later. At 7'3" and 260 pounds, it's safe to say
that Thabeet boasts the type of size and stature that is well desired
(and often difficultly obtained) by such teams desperate for capable
players down in the low post or on the defensive end.
Nevertheless, Thabeet has
seemingly received ample opportunity to strut his stuff. He remained in
the NBA for parts of five seasons, and failed to meet expectations early
on. Of course, expectations are often set by those around you. A player
doesn't have much control over them. Nevertheless, Thabeet didn't
really come close to meeting the mark.
Thus, he's found himself in the
D-League this season by way of the Grand Rapids Drive. And while his
production may not be as eye-popping as one may like for such a former
NBA lottery standout, it's certainly respectable, nonetheless. As
someone more comfortable with doing the dirty work down low, Thabeet is
anchoring the Drive's defense. The 28 year old is averaging 5.9 rebounds
and 2 blocks to go along with 6.7 points (on 58% from the field) in
just over twenty minutes per contest.
Thabeet isn't being asked to do
too much, but perhaps that's for the best at a time like this. With the
pressure finally off of him once and for all, he's been able to find
success in smaller doses. On Monday night, he broke out of his shell for
a change, logging 20 points, 11 rebounds, and an all the more
impressive seven blocked shots. Such an effort helped Grand Rapids gain
specific ground on the division-rival Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Despite being
18-21 on the season, the Drive remain just four games behind the Sioux
Falls Skyforce for the division-lead.
It's time to shake the lottery
tag from Thabeet's reputation. It's a expectation he's not ever likely
to meet. Still, he's showing some real positive signs in the D-League.
Taking things with a grain of salt and displaying a positive attitude
throughout, the former UConn standout is finding ways to impact his
team's success. That's arguably even more important than individual
production.
Having said that, when it comes
to his own progression, perhaps Thabeet is doing enough to warrant
another look come NBA Summer League. Teams need to understand what he
can and will do best. Should they allow him to come off the bench and
man the middle, providing relief for a team's respective starters, an
NBA could find themselves benefitting from quite the efficient of
services on the defensive end from Thabeet.
In the meantime, he'll have to continue proving he can do just that as the Drive eye the postseason in the coming weeks.
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