by Coltrane
Hasheem Thabeet is headed to the NBA Developmental (D)-League. Thabeet was the #2 pick in the 2009 draft. He becomes the highest draft pick ever to be sent to the D-League.
The popular comparison in the press is Darko Milicic, the #2 pick in the 2003 draft. I don’t think it’s the most accurate comparison. Milicic was drafted as an 18 year-old from Serbia. He has been in the league six years and he’s still less than two years older than Thabeet, who played four years at UConn.
The better comparison is Bryant “Big Country” Reeves. Reeves was the 6th pick of the 1995 draft. He played four years at Oklahoma State and was out of the league by age 27. Both Thabeet and Reeves led their teams as Seniors to the Final Four, which contributed to why they each got drafted as high as they did. Both had great size and were prolific shot blockers, but neither was mobile.
In a word, they’re both stiffs.
If there was any question that Thabeet would struggle at the pro level there’s a game that should have raised red flags in NBA draft rooms. The game took place late in Thabeet’s Senior year against Pittburgh and 2009 #39 draft pick DeJuan Blair:
February 16, 2009: Pittsburgh 76, UConn 68
DeJuan Blair: 10-17 FG, 22 Points, 23 Rebounds (6 offensive), 38 minutes
Hasheem Thabeet: 1-5 FG, 5 Points, 4 Rebounds, 23 minutes (5 fouls)
It was a direct comparison in a high level game. Blair completely dominated Thabeet. Somehow, the executives missed it. He must have looked great in individual workouts.
Footnote: Blair has no ACLs in either knee. That’s one reason that he was drafted in the 2nd round. Much like Leon Powe, he slipped due to concerns about his knees. The Spurs got a steal.
FlatbreadGarden 