The Memphis Grizzlies are constantly getting slammed for having selected one of the NBA Draft’s biggest busts. However, it was a good pick nine years ago.
Every year in late-June, it is a guarantee that someone will bring up Hasheem Thabeet relative to the NBA Draft. They may not be referring to the Memphis Grizzlies, but the two parties will be forever connected. After all, the Grizzlies selected Thabeet with the No. 2 overall pick on this date — June 25th — in 2009.
As most NBA fans know, Hasheem Thabeet is one of the worst Draft selections in NBA history since the league began the formal process in 1947. Terrible. Bust. “What were those Grizzlies thinking?!” is a sentiment shared worldwide by a lot of basketball fans — those of the Grizzlies and all other teams.
People know Thabeet was a bust. He did not make an All-Star appearance in the five seasons his NBA career lasted. To make matters worse, there were plenty of high-quality guys chosen soon after the Memphis Grizzlies made their decision. Stephen Curry, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, and other popular names were picked after Hasheem. Talk about salt being placed in the wound each time Steph wins a championship ring or Harden takes home league MVP trophy.
Even in 2018, the Thabeet pick haunts the Grizzlies and it scares away other defensive-minded center prospects. For example, Mohamed Bamba has drawn comparisons to Hasheem Thabeet because of his height, length, and defensive capabilities. Mo Bamba is much more mobile and athletic. He has a somewhat complete game, which it was evident that Thabeet did not. Traditional centers are becoming a thing of the past, which is why they are not nearly as valued as they were pre-2010. The 2009 NBA Draft really was a turning point for way hoops was played within the association.
In looking at the Memphis Grizzlies’ Draft options in 2009, the team did not reach. Being as Blake Griffin was off the board when their opportunity came, Thabeet was widely considered to be the next-best prospect. Overall, the class was expected to be deeply talented. Nine years later, it proved that it was. Another point this particular NBA Draft proved is that some teams develop their picks excellently, while others struggle mightily.
Without further ado, Beale Street Bears is here to explain why Hasheem Thabeet was a Draft bust and is no longer in the NBA while other picks from the 2009 class are setting records and making history.