Toons
is the Bo$$
Thabeet Says He's Getting Better
Statistically, Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet has regressed in his second season. His turnover rate is the second-worst in the NBA, and all of his other numbers have taken hits: points, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounding rate, blocks per game and, most importantly, minutes.
His uninspiring play jumpstarted trade rumors, but Memphis Commercial Appeal beat writer Ronald Tillery said the Grizzlies "aren't getting any offers compelling enough to give away the 7-3 project center."
He may have been the second-overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, but Thabeet almost seems unwanted.
Just don't tell that to him.
"I'm definitely getting better," Thabeet told HOOPSWORLD. "I'm doing all of the little things the coaches want me to do. I'm getting better every day."
The biggest area for improvement in Thabeet's game is undoubtedly offense. He hasn't been able to use his 9-5 standing reach near the hoop, and, as a result, Thabeet has shot only 44% from the field this season.
To remedy this problem, Lionel Hollins' staff is pushing the second-year center to get the ball as high as possible.
"The hook shot," Thabeet said. "That's my go-to move. I've been working on it for better timing.
"It's way better," he continued. "I'm at it every day. Every year I've progressed. Mostly [I'm shooting] right-handed, but a lot of times I'll shoot it with my left hand. At my best though, I'm shooting it with my right."
Thabeet has undeniably improved his conditioning. He was skinny, almost frail when he arrived at UConn in 2006. Now, after battling opposing NBA centers and practicing against teammate Marc Gasol, Thabeet has definitely made an effort to be in top form.
"Since I've got into the league I've already put on 10 pounds," said Thabeet, who is listed at 267 pounds. "That's pretty good. They don't want me to go above that or below that. Five percent body fat, that's pretty good for a big guy."
That may be the best silver lining that the Grizzlies can take from this whole experience. He hasn't scored more than eight points or grabbed more than six rebounds in a single game this season, but Thabeet has continued to develop physically. He may never be worth the second overall pick, but he doesn't have to be a complete bust
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18653#ixzz1CqnXMpCX
Statistically, Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet has regressed in his second season. His turnover rate is the second-worst in the NBA, and all of his other numbers have taken hits: points, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounding rate, blocks per game and, most importantly, minutes.
His uninspiring play jumpstarted trade rumors, but Memphis Commercial Appeal beat writer Ronald Tillery said the Grizzlies "aren't getting any offers compelling enough to give away the 7-3 project center."
He may have been the second-overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, but Thabeet almost seems unwanted.
Just don't tell that to him.
"I'm definitely getting better," Thabeet told HOOPSWORLD. "I'm doing all of the little things the coaches want me to do. I'm getting better every day."
The biggest area for improvement in Thabeet's game is undoubtedly offense. He hasn't been able to use his 9-5 standing reach near the hoop, and, as a result, Thabeet has shot only 44% from the field this season.
To remedy this problem, Lionel Hollins' staff is pushing the second-year center to get the ball as high as possible.
"The hook shot," Thabeet said. "That's my go-to move. I've been working on it for better timing.
"It's way better," he continued. "I'm at it every day. Every year I've progressed. Mostly [I'm shooting] right-handed, but a lot of times I'll shoot it with my left hand. At my best though, I'm shooting it with my right."
Thabeet has undeniably improved his conditioning. He was skinny, almost frail when he arrived at UConn in 2006. Now, after battling opposing NBA centers and practicing against teammate Marc Gasol, Thabeet has definitely made an effort to be in top form.
"Since I've got into the league I've already put on 10 pounds," said Thabeet, who is listed at 267 pounds. "That's pretty good. They don't want me to go above that or below that. Five percent body fat, that's pretty good for a big guy."
That may be the best silver lining that the Grizzlies can take from this whole experience. He hasn't scored more than eight points or grabbed more than six rebounds in a single game this season, but Thabeet has continued to develop physically. He may never be worth the second overall pick, but he doesn't have to be a complete bust
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18653#ixzz1CqnXMpCX