Hasheem Thabeet!!!

Who Would You pick #1 Right now if these 3 players were available

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Greene is 6'10 as well. So what would be the plan? Bring Hawes off the bench for JT and HT? Or HT off the bench for Hawes and JT with Hawes sliding to the PF in those stretches?
 
I really don't like the idea of drafting someone in the top 3 just to have a shot blocker. Now I'm open to Thabeet if he shows improvement as we get closer to the draft, but drafting him on the basis that we need a shot blocker is a plan for failure.
 
Vlade4GM said:
I really don't like the idea of drafting someone in the top 3 just to have a shot blocker. Now I'm open to Thabeet if he shows improvement as we get closer to the draft, but drafting him on the basis that we need a shot blocker is a plan for failure.
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He rebounds well to and is pretty damn athletic and will score close to the rim.. defense, rebounding, shot blocking. We will have sufficent scoring around him so any liability on offense is more than made up for. think about Tyson Chandler but 3 or 4 inches taller. Or Ben Wallace but 8 inches taller.
 
Entity said:
He rebounds well to and is pretty damn athletic and will score close to the rim.. defense, rebounding, shot blocking. We will have sufficent scoring around him so any liability on offense is more than made up for. think about Tyson Chandler but 3 or 4 inches taller. Or Ben Wallace but 8 inches taller.
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Meh... Thabeet is like Shawn Bradley. Because their college stats are the same and they are 7'2+ players that block shots. :rolleyes:

If you are bashing one to hype another you might want to make accurate assumptions. You can take any player in the draft and list a college counterpart which was similar height/stat wise and say they will not be successful. Right now Griffin is the consensus #1 pick, not Thabeet.
 
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Right now have about the same rankings
1) Rubio
2) Thabeet (And I really haven't been sold on this kid all year)
3) Griffin

If Thabeet is really what people think he can be and bring -some- offense, but mainly defense and if we can go out and actually steal Marvin Williams away from the Hawks I like the complete change on defense we might have.
 
Vlade4GM said:
I really don't like the idea of drafting someone in the top 3 just to have a shot blocker. Now I'm open to Thabeet if he shows improvement as we get closer to the draft, but drafting him on the basis that we need a shot blocker is a plan for failure.
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Given this draft its not at all farfetched.

Lacking guaranteed stars, or even many truly exciting prospects, Thabeet could end up having more impact for us than anybody else. In fact Thabeet could end up having more impact on our team than even one of the other guys turning out to be a star, depending on the position and game that they play. Another nondefending 20ppg OG for instance would do nothing but reinforce the very things that make us suck in the first place. We are just disastrously bad at rebounding and interior (or anywhere) defense, and we will never be a good team again without simply dramatic improvement in those areas. We can stack up scorers and finesse guys *** deep to a tall indian (as my dad used to say) and never get anywhere, or maybe you make the play for a defensive game changer.

Going forward, I would be pretty happy with a Hawes/JT/Thabeet frontcourt trio (NOT with one of them at SF, just the standard three man rotation). Have pretty much all areas covered. Great size across the whole crew (in fact 7'3, 7'0", 6'11" might actually make us the biggest frontcourt in the game). Have 2 shotblockers, 2 rebounders, 2 offensive players. Very few toes stubbed, and Spencer's ability to easily swing to PF makes it a solid fit. Get the young frontcourt set, don't worry about it for several years, and devote all your other resources to the other three positions. It still leaves us without a superstar out of a high lottery pick, but there are years when those guys just aren't there.


P.S. If we are able to clear some of these salaries here at the deadline and become players inthe FA market, I would remain intrigued by this possible rotation:

C/PF -- Hawes/Thompson/Thabeet
SF/OG -- Hedo/Martin/Cisco
PG -- ?/BJax

Just have a feeling that adding those defensive personnel might be enoguh to tip the attitudes about defense, especially if we brought in a coach who could teach it. And no, still without the star we need, and no, do not know who the PG would be (I am discounting Beno because Beno and Kevin together are a defense destroying backcourt). Just doodling, but doodling in way that leaves us with great size, some vets with connections to the franchise who understand defense, a big young frontline etc.
 
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Gary said:
Meh... Thabeet is like Shawn Bradley. Because their college stats are the same and they are 7'2+ players that block shots. :rolleyes:

If you are bashing one to hype another you might want to make accurate assumptions. You can take any player in the draft and list a college counterpart which was similar height/stat wise and say they will not be successful. Right now Griffin is the consensus #1 pick, not Thabeet.
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Except Bradley was slow non athletic and couldn't rebound. But yeah I see where you are going with this.
 
What you don't get (and what Brick is trying to get acroos) is this yeah Blake may be a good player. He may average 18pts a game and Thabeet will never average more than 14 if he plays for 20 years. It is what he brings to a team concept. He brings something that only a few teams have. More than half the teams in the NBA has a PF that will get them 15+pts and 8+rebounds a night. Hell we have one with Thompson. Now how many teams have an intimidating force inside defensivley? Say you take Blake well Thompson has to go. Lets say Blake is better than Thompson and get 4more pts and 3 more rebounds. WoooHooo. Now say you take Thabeet and he comes in behind Hawes and Jason instead of Kenny Thomas, Mikki Moore. And in the 15 min he plays he completely shuts off the lane defensivley and get 7 or 8 reb and a few blocks in those 15 with maybe a put back dunk or 2.

You say Griffin >>>>>>>>>Thabeet
but how about the Thompson, Griffin comparison? because thats the real question here not Griffin and Thabeet.
Thompson >>>>>>>>>> Griffin.
 
Entity said:
What you don't get (and what Brick is trying to get acroos) is this yeah Blake may be a good player. He may average 18pts a game and Thabeet will never average more than 14 if he plays for 20 years. It is what he brings to a team concept. He brings something that only a few teams have. More than half the teams in the NBA has a PF that will get them 15+pts and 8+rebounds a night. Hell we have one with Thompson. Now how many teams have an intimidating force inside defensivley? Say you take Blake well Thompson has to go. Lets say Blake is better than Thompson and get 4more pts and 3 more rebounds. WoooHooo. Now say you take Thabeet and he comes in behind Hawes and Jason instead of Kenny Thomas, Mikki Moore. And in the 15 min he plays he completely shuts off the lane defensivley and get 7 or 8 reb and a few blocks in those 15 with maybe a put back dunk or 2.

You say Griffin >>>>>>>>>Thabeet
but how about the Thompson, Griffin comparison? because thats the real question here not Griffin and Thabeet.
Thompson >>>>>>>>>> Griffin.
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Yeah I agree completely. Although if Thabeet completely shuts off the lane defensively, he better be playin more than 15mins
 
Entity said:
What you don't get (and what Brick is trying to get acroos) is this yeah Blake may be a good player. He may average 18pts a game and Thabeet will never average more than 14 if he plays for 20 years. It is what he brings to a team concept. He brings something that only a few teams have. More than half the teams in the NBA has a PF that will get them 15+pts and 8+rebounds a night. Hell we have one with Thompson. Now how many teams have an intimidating force inside defensivley? Say you take Blake well Thompson has to go. Lets say Blake is better than Thompson and get 4more pts and 3 more rebounds. WoooHooo. Now say you take Thabeet and he comes in behind Hawes and Jason instead of Kenny Thomas, Mikki Moore. And in the 15 min he plays he completely shuts off the lane defensivley and get 7 or 8 reb and a few blocks in those 15 with maybe a put back dunk or 2.

You say Griffin >>>>>>>>>Thabeet
but how about the Thompson, Griffin comparison? because thats the real question here not Griffin and Thabeet.
Thompson >>>>>>>>>> Griffin.
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That's the thing though.. Nobody knows who is going to be better than who.. If there was a poll out there I am sure that 65%+ of the sports writers would say Griffin. Also.. If Griffin came out last year we wouldn't have Thompson. We would either have Bayless, or Lopez. Griffin was a top 10 last year. This year he's a top 2. Thabeet was a 2nd rounder a couple years ago, a mid 1st rounder last year, and a top then this year. Not saying every team doesn't need a shot blocker... Just saying there are a few here that are putting Thabeet up on this pedestal and if history proves correct these same people will be let down. Bottom line is Griffin is much more of a baller than Thabeet at this point, and rivals what Beasley did last year. IMO I would take Beasley over Thabeet in a heartbeat as well. Look for his numbers to swell with Marion out of the mix.
 
I don't know about Rubio. Haven't seen him play. I've seen Thabeet, Griffin and Teague, and Teague has the most talent. Griffin is a short power player with no fluidity and dribble drive ability to get open against longer players. Thabeet has no offense, which means he makes every offensive player worse on the court rather than better; on D he makes his teamates better, I'll give him that. Teague has NBA top tier quickness and is an excellent shooter. He makes plays on the defensive end and the offensive end he can take over a game. Can he run an offense? I don't see why not. That doesn't mean he's a C. Paul, but he can make an excellent scoring point guard. With a center of Hawes's skills, you don't need a "true" point guard, making him an even easier choice. Teague.
 
Maybe if were starting a team from scratch, Griffin is the sure #1 that we should pick. But this isn't the first lottery in the NBA and we already have players that will more or less will match Griffin's average in the NBA and plays the same position on the team. We should draft by needs.

Trading down won't give you any assurance that other teams will deal with Griffin for Thabeet.

OKC? - Maybe has more love on Griffin but not sure on that, they also need a C.
WAS? - already has Jamison at PF and would surely be high on Thabeet
Memphis - Most possible partner for a trade down for Griffin. But they may not be able to grab Thabeet as they may finish with better record.

So back to the Gambit....Motumbo was the oldest player to play last season at the age of 41....That just gives you a glimpse how important and reliable defensive C to any teams....And guys like Thabeet/Motumbo don't just grow at your backyard every year, that's why Motumbo still got calls for a job even at this late in his career.

IMO one of the reasons we are the worst defender of the 3pt line is not only because Natt has stupid plays but also because we don't have an intimidating big inside so we are forced to play team defense at the interior which leaves a lot of open shots from the outside.

With Hawes, Thompson, and Thabeet rotation. We'll never give up the paint that easy anymore. We can even use a defensive scheme that the Spurs do with Duncan, which is to just funnel the player to Duncan and force him to shoot in front of the 7'0" Duncan. Now you add 3 more inches to that height and you have Thabeet.

He may not be much of an option on the offensive end but he's a sure intimidating beast on defense.

And by the way, I'm on the Thabeet bandwagon.
 
Gary said:
That's the thing though.. Nobody knows who is going to be better than who.. If there was a poll out there I am sure that 65%+ of the sports writers would say Griffin. Also.. If Griffin came out last year we wouldn't have Thompson. We would either have Bayless, or Lopez. Griffin was a top 10 last year. This year he's a top 2. Thabeet was a 2nd rounder a couple years ago, a mid 1st rounder last year, and a top then this year. Not saying every team doesn't need a shot blocker... Just saying there are a few here that are putting Thabeet up on this pedestal and if history proves correct these same people will be let down. Bottom line is Griffin is much more of a baller than Thabeet at this point, and rivals what Beasley did last year. IMO I would take Beasley over Thabeet in a heartbeat as well. Look for his numbers to swell with Marion out of the mix.
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Yeah his numbers may swell but his teams Losses will do the same. I totally agree with Griffin is alot better all around basketball player than Thabeet will ever be. Thabeet may never have a game where he scores 20 pts.

You are totally missing the point. What you have to look at is depth of the front court and needs of the front court. Now is Griffin heads and shoulders better than Hawes or Thompson??? I say no Is Thabeet heads and shoulders better than any of the 3??? I say no.

Now lets say we get Griffin and have Griffin/Thomposn/Hawes front court. Thompson and Hawes can pass and score in the post as well shoot an outside jumper. Neither are much of a shot blocker both are good rebounders. Now Griffin he can jump real high not much of a passer not much of a shooter or shot blocker and doesn't posses any kind if intimidating defense inside neither does Hawes or Thompson. Thabeet has something all 3 don't thats size and ability to change the game by being in the paint. If he never takes a freaking shot he still changes the game. Does Griffin change any sort of dynamic of our team??

Better yet Griffin always gets the ball right now. How good of a player would he be off the ball not getting his touches every trip down court. Griffin needs the ball to be effective and behind Martin, Hawes, Thompson and Greene who all have better skills when it comes to offense he will never be higher than 3rd option.

Now Thabeet would thrive even more IMO where his isn't asked to do anything offensily except get boards and clean up duties along with screens or what not.

Griffin would make Oklahoma City better Thabeet wouldn't. Griffin does not make us better he would just be an extension of what we already have with Thompson. Thabeet would make us better
 
KingsCitizen said:
Maybe if were starting a team from scratch, Griffin is the sure #1 that we should pick. But this isn't the first lottery in the NBA and we already have players that will more or less will match Griffin's average in the NBA and plays the same position on the team. We should draft by needs.

Trading down won't give you any assurance that other teams will deal with Griffin for Thabeet.

OKC? - Maybe has more love on Griffin but not sure on that, they also need a C.
WAS? - already has Jamison at PF and would surely be high on Thabeet
Memphis - Most possible partner for a trade down for Griffin. But they may not be able to grab Thabeet as they may finish with better record.

So back to the Gambit....Motumbo was the oldest player to play last season at the age of 41....That just gives you a glimpse how important and reliable defensive C to any teams....And guys like Thabeet/Motumbo don't just grow at your backyard every year, that's why Motumbo still got calls for a job even at this late in his career.

IMO one of the reasons we are the worst defender of the 3pt line is not only because Natt has stupid plays but also because we don't have an intimidating big inside so we are forced to play team defense at the interior which leaves a lot of open shots from the outside.

With Hawes, Thompson, and Thabeet rotation. We'll never give up the paint that easy anymore. We can even use a defensive scheme that the Spurs do with Duncan, which is to just funnel the player to Duncan and force him to shoot in front of the 7'0" Duncan. Now you add 3 more inches to that height and you have Thabeet.

He may not be much of an option on the offensive end but he's a sure intimidating beast on defense.

And by the way, I'm on the Thabeet bandwagon.
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Ding Ding Ding we have a damn winner. Thank you sir I have been searching for the words all day and couldn't seem to come up with them. Espcially the 3pt line part.
 
The only concern I would have with Thabeet is that if picked #1, he could turn into the next Michael Olowokandi...although Olowokandi was a one year wonder with Pacific.
 
Entity said:
Thabeet has something all 3 don't thats size and ability to change the game by being in the paint. If he never takes a freaking shot he still changes the game... Thabeet would make us better
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For those who don't go for the Mutombo comparison, I'll try it from the other end.

Thabeet is a filthy rich man's Justin Williams with an extra 6" of height. Even though 3Will's overall basketball skills were kind of weak by NBA standards (especially offensively), the +/- numbers said that he helped the team very disproportionately to his personal stats. We desperately need a big who has no interest in being at at the perimeter. As Piksi said, a tree. Thabeet is an excellent tree.
 
If the Kings wanted to draft anyone besides Blake Griffin they should get something for him or his draft pick(1) instead of just picking someone else first. I think Hasheem Thabeet would probably be the best fit for the Kings with Ricky Rubio very likely not to enter the draft. I don't think he would be good enough to make our team much better NEXT year, which will allow another high draft pick and hopefully get a potentially great player next year likely at the point guard position. The Kings should then try and get a good SF in a trade or FA in 2010/2011.
 
Entity said:
Yeah his numbers may swell but his teams Losses will do the same. I totally agree with Griffin is alot better all around basketball player than Thabeet will ever be. Thabeet may never have a game where he scores 20 pts.

You are totally missing the point. What you have to look at is depth of the front court and needs of the front court. Now is Griffin heads and shoulders better than Hawes or Thompson??? I say no Is Thabeet heads and shoulders better than any of the 3??? I say no.

Now lets say we get Griffin and have Griffin/Thomposn/Hawes front court. Thompson and Hawes can pass and score in the post as well shoot an outside jumper. Neither are much of a shot blocker both are good rebounders. Now Griffin he can jump real high not much of a passer not much of a shooter or shot blocker and doesn't posses any kind if intimidating defense inside neither does Hawes or Thompson. Thabeet has something all 3 don't thats size and ability to change the game by being in the paint. If he never takes a freaking shot he still changes the game. Does Griffin change any sort of dynamic of our team??

Better yet Griffin always gets the ball right now. How good of a player would he be off the ball not getting his touches every trip down court. Griffin needs the ball to be effective and behind Martin, Hawes, Thompson and Greene who all have better skills when it comes to offense he will never be higher than 3rd option.

Now Thabeet would thrive even more IMO where his isn't asked to do anything offensily except get boards and clean up duties along with screens or what not.

Griffin would make Oklahoma City better Thabeet wouldn't. Griffin does not make us better he would just be an extension of what we already have with Thompson. Thabeet would make us better
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I wouldn't be heartbroken if the Kings did draft Thabeet at #2, or #3. I just wouldn't do it unless all other players we wanted were chosen.. If we had the third pick and Griffin was taken and Rubio was in the draft and taken #2 I wouldn't be mad if we took Thabeet. If the Kings had #1 and they chose Thabeet I would be a bit upset because if OKC had #2 they would get to draft Griffin w/o the Kings dealing for a future first as well as the #2.
 
Gary said:
If the Kings had #1 and they chose Thabeet I would be a bit upset because if OKC had #2 they would get to draft Griffin w/o the Kings dealing for a future first as well as the #2.
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That is kind of the dream scenario for this draft, isn't it? Thabeet + OKC's 2010 first rounder?
 
KCKingsCountry said:
I'm not a big fan of Thabeet. He is the type you package with a Brad Miller to get a superstar in a trade.
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You say that like it's a bad thing. If we could turn this year's draft pick + Brad into Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or Lebron James (take your pick), you'd be let down?!?
 
I like him too; he's 7'3", has rapidly progressed ever season at UConn, and has his shotblocking down pat which should easily translate into the NBA level--but perhaps most importantly, he's not that foul prone at all, so he's showing far more discipline. He's a great foil to the offense minded bigs we have on the court, and is the exact player who can cover for our defensive weaknesses at least in the paint. He was once perceived as a raw player, but playing at UConn he's played against a lot of NBA level competition, and he's more than risen up to the challenge. Really, I'd be surprised if he turned out to be worse than Samuel Dalembert...
 
fnordius said:
You say that like it's a bad thing. If we could turn this year's draft pick + Brad into Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or Lebron James (take your pick), you'd be let down?!?
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That sort of came out wrong. I would be tickled to death to get a player like that. Bosh or Amare were the guys I was thinking of. Thabeet's shot blocking is great but the rest of his game, I dont know. I would rather have Griffin or Rubio.
 
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