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Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen Reveals Why Hasheem Thabeet Failed

By Christian Dudley

DENVER - APRIL 12: Hasheem Thabeet #34 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes for the dunk against the Denver Nuggets during the game at Pepsi Center on April 12, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 123-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER - APRIL 12: Hasheem Thabeet #34 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes for the dunk against the Denver Nuggets during the game at Pepsi Center on April 12, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 123-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Tony Allen opens up on his perspective as to why the Memphis Grizzlies did not hit a home run with the selection of Hasheem Thabeet in 2009.

On Tuesday, Memphis Grizzlies legend Tony Allen joined Grind City Media‘s Chris Vernon on his show for a consecutive week.

Last week, Allen (better known as “The Grindfather”) was providing gem after gem while on air. Though he is no longer an active player in the NBA, he is still the same Tony that Grizzlies fans fell in love with during his time in Memphis.

This week was no different. The golden stories and recollections continue to flow from Tony Allen. While the Memphis Grizzlies legend touches on a number of items, one in particular stood out.

The Grizzlies are known for a few things around the association. Of course there have been the “Grit-‘N’-Grind” days that made them a prominent force in the NBA. But when it comes to a gaff at the NBA Draft, it may very well take the cake for what they are known for most.

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies held the No. 2 overall pick. With Blake Griffin going to the Los Angeles Clippers with the first overall selection, there was still plenty of star potential to choose from. It could not be that hard to hit a winner, right?

Wrong. Memphis passed on names that turned out to be franchise-altering guys by the likes of James Harden, Stephen Curry, and DeMar DeRozan. Even guys like Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, and Ricky Rubio have become solid players and continue to play at a high level to this day.

As the basketball world knows, the Grizzlies decided upon Hasheem Thabeet out of the University of Connecticut. He was a raw talent but had incredible height. Perhaps a little bit of focus and attention this development would have made him an offensive post threat, too.

Related Story. Three Reasons Hasheem Thabeet Failed the Memphis Grizzlies. light

It was a terrible pairing. Memphis had been (and you could argue they still have been) very poor in the player development department. It was a major risk as it was, yet they did not have the support staff in order to mold Hasheem Thabeet into a formidable NBA player, let alone an All-Star center.

Though this was just the beginning of the quick downfall for Thabeet’s professional basketball career, Tony Allen recalls interactions with the UConn product as the two became teammates in Memphis. Take a look at the Chris Vernon Show video clip directly below:

https://twitter.com/chrisvernonshow/status/1085331077152034819?s=21

After listening to Tony Allen, it makes even more sense why Hasheem Thabeet never got his feet off the ground once he entered the NBA.

Thabeet did not have the proper eating habits. Surprisingly, it seems as if nobody was really focusing on him or really molding him into a starting-caliber NBA center. Even a guy like Marc Gasol has underwent a lifestyle change with a strict diet in order to achieve NBA All-Star status.

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Then you add int the factor that he “didn’t want to listen.” With all those veteran players around him that would serve as great mentors — Tony, Marc, and Zach Randolph — it seems as if Thabeet thought he had it all figured out on his own. Obviously now, years after the fact, he did not. He Hasheem Thabeet those lessons, but he did not accept them.

At the end of the day, as Tony pinpointed to Vernon, Hasheem was very raw. The basketball talent was not there; he was merely a freak of a physical speciment with his 7’4″ height and even longer wingspan. That — by no means — meant that he was going to be a great (or even a good) professional basketball player.

Next. Memphis Grizzlies Rumors: Why a Trade for Dennis Smith Jr Makes Sense. dark

Shame on the Memphis Grizzlies’ Front Office for believing the hype and selecting Hasheem with the No. 2 overall pick. However, shame on Thabeet for not striving for greatness and doing everything in his own power to find success in the NBA. All of the blame cannot be placed upon the Grizzlies organization for the bad selection.

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