I would not worry about Thabeets slow start

BRIGGS · Post #1 » by **BRIGGS** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:24 pm

Of course I would rather see the 13 points 10 reb 3 blocks BUT you guys are winning. He is a player who brings a lane presence that does not get put into stats. Players know a 7-3 guy with long arms is in the lane and that has a very solid effect within itself. He will get better as well. He started the first game very well and has been quiet since---I think he just needs a jumpstart--slow himself downa little and concentrate on rebounding.

Downtown · Post #2 » by **Downtown** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:32 pm

I hope you're right, but as a Seattle Supersonics fan I watched as three years in a row they drafted Robert Swift, Johan Petro, and Mo Sene, and it was a disaster. None of them developed.

Forgive me for being a little cynical but it scares me after going through that and seeing three wasted drafts. But I'm always open minded and of course Thabeet shouldn't be judged yet.

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #3 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:56 pm

The problem with Thabeet, for many of us, is not just the 3 summer league games but the fact that we saw this coming a mile away. His game just did not look like it was going to translate well to the NBA, at least not for 2-3 years (if ever at all). I honestly hope I'm dead out wrong. I hope he turns into the force that he's been purported to be. He's a Grizzly now, so I'll root for him during every game. But that in no way shape or form will keep me from criticizing him as I see fit. It's my right and duty as a fanaddict.

Post #4 » by **SD2042** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:58 pm

^^^When the Sonics back then, drafted these bigs, I wonder what they were thinking at the time b/c these moves prove not to be smart by any stretch of the imagination. Also did they have a big man coach on staff at the time these guys were drafted?

jefe · Post #5 » by **jefe** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:02 pm

Honestly, I think more fans than not expect Thabeet to bust - so anything he does will be beyond expectations. So, if Thabeet starts slowly, not many will be surprised or really concerned.

Downtown · Post #6 » by **Downtown** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:36 pm

SD2042, the Sonics had Jack Sikma as their big man coach, plus Detlef Shremph(sorry for the wrong spelling) was also a coach for a while. Dwayne Casey was an assistant for Nate McMillan but I think he was more of a right hand man rather than a big man coach.

Robert Swift will most likely get a minimum contact as an insurrance third center, Sene is struggling in summer league and is bound for the D league, and Johan Petro should end up on a team somewhere(to be fair, he was drafted #24 so it wasn't a bad choice as a gamble that far down the list).

Downtown · Post #7 » by **Downtown** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:44 pm

As for something positive, Damarre Carroll looks pretty solid so far. He's one player I'm actually looking forward to next season. I loved his energy and toughness in college. He seesm to get it as far as how to play on both ends of the floor. And Marcus Williams is showing alot of polish as the leader that's steering this summer league team to their victories. He seems to have a fairly mature game.

But I see that Anthony Carter may be on the Grizzlies radar and the Nuggets might be targeting Williams. Imagine that if Memphis pays the veteran more when they could sign Williams for probably less, and Williams turns out to be the more effective of the two. It wouldn't surprise me.

Any word on the Randolph/Richardson trade that is supposed to be finalized today?

Post #8 » by **SD2042** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:53 pm

So far no word as of now. As for Carter and Williams. Get me Williams. I know it's summer league, but I've fine myself impress with his on the court plays so far. If he can be had for cheap and considering it's the Grizz we're talkin about. I don't see why not.

On Jack Sikma and Schrempf, how efficient were their coaching methods with the bigs during their time with the Sonics? Considering who they drafted, the centers the Sonics drafted either were duds or the coaches methods needed some improvements.

Post #9 » by **el loco** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:45 am

Downtown wrote:SD2042, the Sonics had Jack Sikma as their big man coach, plus Detlef Shremph(sorry for the wrong spelling) was also a coach for a while. Dwayne Casey was an assistant for Nate McMillan but I think he was more of a right hand man rather than a big man coach.

Robert Swift will most likely get a minimum contact as an insurrance third center, Sene is struggling in summer league and is bound for the D league, and Johan Petro should end up on a team somewhere(to be fair, he was drafted #24 so it wasn't a bad choice as a gamble that far down the list).

The Nuggets had Petro for a half of a season last year, and while not great, he isn't a bad option as the 4th or 5th big man off of the bench. I would like to see the Nuggets upgrade and get someone a little more polished for that role, but it wouldn't bother me a bit if they brought him back for that role.

Robert Swift is somewhat talented, but injuries have derailed him big time. As for Sene, I can't comment on him because I haven't seen him play enough to speculate one way or the other on his game.

I still don't understand why Memphis took him after the rookie season that Gasol had. Maybe he can become the Grizzlies Birdman off of the bench, but you don't get guys like that with the 2nd overall pick in the draft. I hope he turns out to be better than expected and makes several of the so-called experts eat some crow.

Before the draft Jim Boeheim gave his endorsement on Thabeet and felt that he was worthy of the 2nd overall pick (he was on mike and mike), and he has seen him play and knows more about his game than most.

Post #10 » by **el loco** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:52 am

Downtown wrote:As for something positive, Damarre Carroll looks pretty solid so far. He's one player I'm actually looking forward to next season. I loved his energy and toughness in college. He seesm to get it as far as how to play on both ends of the floor. And Marcus Williams is showing alot of polish as the leader that's steering this summer league team to their victories. He seems to have a fairly mature game.

But I see that Anthony Carter may be on the Grizzlies radar and the Nuggets might be targeting Williams. Imagine that if Memphis pays the veteran more when they could sign Williams for probably less, and Williams turns out to be the more effective of the two. It wouldn't surprise me.

Any word on the Randolph/Richardson trade that is supposed to be finalized today?

AC gets a lot of hate on the Nuggets board, but if you look at his numbers he is a decent veteran to have as a backup pg, but most Nuggets fans want the 2nd pg spot to go to our #1 pick (myself included) and see AC as an obstacle preventing that from happening because our coach has a mancrush on him. Williams would be the 3rd pg for Denver. AC can also play some defense, so I can understand a young team like Memphis wanting a vet like him to help Conley out.

Downtown · Post #11 » by **Downtown** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:56 pm

El Loco, good summary of Carter. As for the Nuggets, I like their team. Some in here know I was a big Seattle fan(going back to the seventies). While Geaorge Karl is a somewhat controversial coach with some of the things he says, I like the style he coaches. He's always been about not playing conservative. He had the Sonics playing a very aggressive style.

I also think the trade for Afflalo was a good one, adding a solid defender off the bench. I think he could find a nice role in Denver.

jefe · Post #12 » by **jefe** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:01 pm

Downtown wrote:As for something positive, Damarre Carroll looks pretty solid so far. He's one player I'm actually looking forward to next season. I loved his energy and toughness in college. He seesm to get it as far as how to play on both ends of the floor. And Marcus Williams is showing alot of polish as the leader that's steering this summer league team to their victories. He seems to have a fairly mature game.

But I see that Anthony Carter may be on the Grizzlies radar and the Nuggets might be targeting Williams. Imagine that if Memphis pays the veteran more when they could sign Williams for probably less, and Williams turns out to be the more effective of the two. It wouldn't surprise me.

Any word on the Randolph/Richardson trade that is supposed to be finalized today?

Agreed on Carroll. Hopefully, he'll be something like Battier, but with a bit more attitude.

bgassassin · Post #13 » by **bgassassin** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:38 pm

GrizzledGrizzFan wrote:The problem with Thabeet, for many of us, is not just the 3 summer league games but the fact that we saw this coming a mile away. His game just did not look like it was going to translate well to the NBA

This +10

Mumbles · Post #14 » by **Mumbles** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:41 pm

Downtown wrote:I hope you're right, but as a Seattle Supersonics fan I watched as three years in a row they drafted Robert Swift, Johan Petro, and Mo Sene, and it was a disaster. None of them developed.

Forgive me for being a little cynical but it scares me after going through that and seeing three wasted drafts. But I'm always open minded and of course Thabeet shouldn't be judged yet.

Hasheem's defensive presence **** on all three of those guys combined. You will have a defensive anchor that should take you well into the next decade.

KennerLeaguer · Post #15 » by **KennerLeaguer** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:30 am

BRIGGS wrote:Of course I would rather see the 13 points 10 reb 3 blocks BUT you guys are winning. He is a player who brings a lane presence that does not get put into stats. Players know a 7-3 guy with long arms is in the lane and that has a very solid effect within itself. He will get better as well. He started the first game very well and has been quiet since---I think he just needs a jumpstart--slow himself downa little and concentrate on rebounding.

You can jumpstart him all you like. But in the end he will still have bad hands.

NJ To BK · Post #16 » by **NJ To BK** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:23 am

I think he will take time to develop. He is a very young and thin body, who is not NBA ready. I think he will get pushed around a little, since this being his first year. Put the more weight this kid puts on, and the more he develops, he can be really special.

Post #17 » by **SD2042** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:31 pm

Thabeet needs to be for the team and the city's sake. A lot of ppl aren't thrill with the pick. It would be worse to confirm their fears if he turns out to be a bust.

AJ Valliant · Post #18 » by **AJ Valliant** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:38 am

What would scare me is not his offensive polish, or lack of bulk, but the complete lack of heart and hustle he shows. You can teach fundamentals and build muscles...it is very hard to instill heart, hustle, and toughness. I wonder if the kid even enjoys basketball?

alphad0gz · Post #19 » by **alphad0gz** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:15 am

Thabeet will be a nuclear bust. I was never so happy to see a guy drafted ahead of our pick (NY). There were rumors of Walsh's love for the guy. I watched him his entire year and his game is not going to translate at all. He was intimidated by strong aggressive guys and smart small guys that went into him. The NBA is full of those guys. Very surprising pick since you had Gasol who was improving and have other holes to fill. Briggs has a man love for the guy but he is wrong. You guys have some good posters here. I'd invite you all to the NY board but I can hardly stand it myself. We have a few good posterrs and a board full of trolls...including a mod or two. Good luck this year.....really like OJ.

twinthunder3 · Post #20 » by **twinthunder3** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:22 am

the dude is a bust. mark my words.