Just reported on NBA.com, Hasheem Thabeet is being sent to the D-League. Thabeet is now the highest drafted player in the history of the NBA to be sent to the D-League - he was drafted 2nd behind Griffin.
First of all, let's push the 'pause' button and say what a dissapointment it's been for the top two picks of last year's draft. Griffin and Thabeet were both drafted ahead of phenoms Evans and Jennings. It just goes to show that you just don't know how it'll all shake out.
But anyway, I think that the D-League is getting to the point that it actually is a benefit to teams instead of a banishment for the players. It's the DEVELOPMENT league. How many times do struggling young hitters and pitchers get sent to AAA to get their game back - even if they weren't injured to begin with. It's a lesser league. It's a chance to slow the game down, take the pressure off - and develop.
Memphis is a great up and coming team. Right now, they are blessed to have Haddadi and Gasol in the Center position. And being 3.5 games back in the hunt for the 8th playoff spot, right now is the perfect time to send Thabeet down to get some confidence and some serious playing time. It's a lock that Thabeet will walk into the D-League team as the starter too. Thabeet is 7 foot 3 inches. The upside on this guy is huge. I hope that he uses this time to work, and doesn't use it to dwell on what a failure he must feel his season has been in a personal sense.
Thabeet is avering 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game. And for a guy well over 7 feet tall, that's a dissapointment. But he needs to count his blessings. He should be thankful that his only problem is finding his move to the rim and not rehabbing a broken knee. Really, for a tall guy, the injury bug hasn't tagged him yet.
On a hobby note, I would still buy up some Thabeet RC's. The price will probably be great right now. And I really do think that he'll come back and be a force in the league. He's still young.
3 comments:
All Memphis really drafted him for was his paint presence...and he didn't even provide that! However, I think the D-League is just what he needs. I agree, I think he will make an impact in the future.
In general, I think that the D-League is underutilized. As a Bucks fan, I've watched Joe Alexander and Jodie Meeks struggle in limited minutes the past two seasons. They'd have a better chance of finding their games if they were playing 35 mpg elsewhere.
I agree with Zach about the d league being underutilized but as long as the Euroleague pays more marginal players will go over there reducing the quality of the dleague. All 7'-3" of Thabeet got regularly abused all 6'6" of Dejaun Blair in college. That just might of been a hint he was not ready to hang in the NBA.
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