Hamed Haddadi finally signs.

[boogiesdad]

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free-agent center Hamed Haddadi, who led all 2008 Olympians in rebounding and blocks, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Ahvaz, Iran native recently participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, where he was the only player to average a double-double (16.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks) in Olympic competition while playing five games for the Iranian National Team. The 7-2, 254-pound center had his best performance came against eventual bronze medal winner Argentina when he had a team-high 21 points and game-high 16 rebounds on Aug. 16. “We are pleased to sign Hamed,” said Wallace. “He is a young center who was very productive as a rebounder, shotblocker and scorer at the Rocky Mountain Revue Summer League in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2008 Olympics and the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament in Nanjing, China prior to the Olympics. Our coaching staff is eager to begin working with Hamed.”

[boogiesdad]

I love this signing, but when you look at this team, it almost seems a certain that Darko is gone.

Current Lineup:

Conley/Lowry
Mayo/Crittendon
Gay/Jaric/Buckner
Warrick/Walker/Arthur
Gasol/Haddadi/Milic

We are stacked at the C spot, but still light in the pants at the PF.

[zike_42]

So the Darko/Z Randolph trade makes sense then?

[grizzleGM]

I will be shocked not to see some type of Darko for Randolph swap, but I wonder about...

Randolph, Walker(exp), Warrick, Critt
for
Randolph, Gallinari

Maybe???

Conley/Lowry
Mayo/Jaric
Gay/Gallinari
Randolph/Arthur
Gasol/Haddadi

[boogernights]

If Darko is going to be gone, it should be for another big or interior player. I don't see Memphis prospering with two international rookies as their only bigs. Playing alongside them at the PF are Warrick, Arthur and maybe Antoine. The first two are too thin, the last one is too fat.

[manun]

Ive seen Milwauke want Darko. CV + Damon jones work for Darko.
But im not sure u guys want to do it, CV got potential but rite now hes an unknow player.
He can flat out score but the problem is defense
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/charlie_v ... stats.html

He was pretty nasty at the end of the season but unconsistent and too perimeter oriented.


Conley/Lowry
Mayo/Jaric
Gay/Gallinari
CV /Arthur
Gasol/Haddadi

A young and upcoming team that could blossom.

[pumuki]

Ive seen Milwauke want Darko. CV + Damon jones work for Darko.

I like CV but the Grizzlies are looking to clear the logjam at the Guard position and improve their frontcourt. Giving Darko and getting a perimeter player that needs to be resigned and another guard is nothing the Grizzlies are looking for.

Maybe something with Jaric + Warrick for CV + Damon Jones should be much closer

[ib4]

hey, i think haddadi was an EXCELLENT signing for you. based on the videos i've seen of him, he looks like he has a good skill set and basketball IQ. i would even predict him ahead of gasol in the memphis depth chart (debatable). good move by CW and the grizz FO to bring him in

[Magicalltheway]

Great signing you guys, as an Iranian I watched his games and was very impressed. He lacks conditioning badly but once he is out there he will make every one better. Not very fast but very soft hand and can finish around the basket beautifully. I cant believe a Persian is in the NBA. All I can say is that I will be cheering for your guys when you come to Orlando but we will win.

[BarbaGrizz]

after all, maybe CW doesn´t look so stupid

[aroba]

hey, i think haddadi was an EXCELLENT signing for you. based on the videos i've seen of him, he looks like he has a good skill set and basketball IQ. i would even predict him ahead of gasol in the memphis depth chart (debatable). good move by CW and the grizz FO to bring him in

Absolutely not debatable. Marc Gasol is way much better than Haddadi. Hands down.

Haddadi is a more Yao prospect with weaker physique, but not used to play vs strong competition. Has nice hands and being that tall also is a great add-on. Made great numbers on the olympics, but used to get most of the gameplays of Iran, worst team of the tournament; while Marc played limited minutes and secondary role for second best team.

Marc Gasol has excellent footwork and pure center moves on the offensive end, nice shooting range (uses to shoot FIBA treys on games with decent %), big body, and nice bball IQ without the ball and on the pass. He's also a great kid with excellent work ethic and mindset.

Unlike brother Pau he's fierce and aggresive at both ends, but lacks of his brother's movility (he can't play PF at all so forget about twin towers). He was named MVP on spanish ACB, beating the all-time Arvydas Sabonis record of player of the week awards. That should mean something about his value and class since Pau didn't acomplished something similar there, and players like Bargnani or Milicic went to NBA being nobody in Europe (just because of his potential)...and failed.

Marc was best pure center left in Europe. Ready to produce.
Congrats, you didn't trade Pau for nothing

[jefe]

Why does everyone think this signals that Darko is no longer wanted? He's the only C on our roster that has played an NBA game - and there's going to be an obvious learning curve for both Gasol and Haddadi. Further, his contract is reasonable (given the market for bigs) and he's young. While his offensive game leaves alot to be desired, his man-to-man post defense is excellent. If given consistant minutes (something he lacked last year due to picking up fouls on help defense when our perimeter defense was beat and opposing guards got in the lane - that happened alot), he's our best (interior) defender.

[Downtown]

I see both sides of it. On the surface it looks like Milicic is the odd guy out since I'm sure they didn't sign both Gasol and Haddadi to do nothing. But like Jefe said, there is going to be a big, and I mean big learning curve for both of them. If nothing else Darko can be a combo center/power forward that is the main backup at both positions.

Haddadi should be brought along slowly. So should Arthur at the start. So I can see a need for center AND power forward to be played by comittee with the group of Gasol, Milicic, Haddadi, and Warrick and Arthur being given a shot at claiming the bulk of playing time.

Experiment and evaluation for the first bit and make a decision from there. If a trade offer comes along that makes sense for not just now, but for the longterm then go for it. But I wouldn't make a knee jerk reaction and take on a burden like Randolph just to consolidate some overloaded positions.

Honestly, besides Milic's contract, which isn't that bad for a serviceable center when you look around, they have pretty good deals on the rest although I don't know the details of Gasol or Haddadi, which I assume aren't that large.

[A.J.]

Great pickup by you guys. I kinda mad that we didnt get to sign him, but oh well. You guys should be much improved this season, and I am looking forward to seeing him play against us.

[carmelbrownqueen]

Where did this Milwaukee rumor come from?

[grizzleGM]

Where did this Milwaukee rumor come from?

I would not call it a rumor... unless you consider ideas generated on this board as rumors.

[Joseph17]

Iran beat Lebanon in the Asia Championship by 5 points. If they lost that game, Iran probably wouldn't have played in the summer league, they wouldn't have been in the Olympics, and no one would know who Hamed Ehadadi is. It's amazing how important one game could be for a basketball player's career.

Edit: I'm not saying that Ehadadi is lucky that he signed with an NBA team. I'm just stating a random thought that I had.

[babak82]

Iran beat Lebanon in the Asia Championship by 5 points. If they lost that game, Iran probably wouldn't have played in the summer league, they wouldn't have been in the Olympics, and no one would know who Hamed Ehadadi is. It's amazing how important one game could be for a basketball player's career.

Edit: I'm not saying that Ehadadi is lucky that he signed with an NBA team. I'm just stating a random thought that I had.

He had already received invitations for tryouts with NBA teams prior to the summer league or Olympics.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=26 ... id=3510211

[boogernights]

It's interesting that the Grizzlies can throw in three 7 footers in a game. Reminds me of the Luc Longley-Bill Wennington-Parish/Kleine or the Jack Sikma-Randy Breuer-Paul Mokeski three headed monsters back in the 90s and 80s, respectively

[Darko Miliminutes]

Did the OP really just list Darko as the 3rd center? No way whosyourdaddy, and fat boy get the nod over Darko. You guys have way too high expectations for a couple of decent prospects. I'll be stunned if haddadi even gets regular burn. And when is the last time a fat person excelled at NBA level ball? I understand it's possible, but history tells us it is very unlikely.