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Memphis Grizzlies: Top 5 Decisions We Wish Were April Fools’ Jokes

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies April Fools
Hasheem Thabeet was the ultimate April Fools joke in NBA Draft & Memphis Grizzlies history (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

April Fools! Worst Pick in NBA Draft History

The Memphis Grizzlies are historically one of the worst decision-making teams at the NBA Draft. First-rounders or second-rounders, it does not matter. Their Front Office has a tough time finding a hit, oftentimes landing a miss.

Despite all the bad picks Memphis has made, one in particular takes the cake. In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Hasheem Thabeet with the second overall pick.

It is not entirely the Grizzlies’ fault. Thabeet was a highly-touted prospect leading up to the Draft. His supreme height, length, size, and strength had teams gushing. Had Memphis went with a different name as their selection, Hasheem likely would have been gobbled up within the next few picks.

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

Ultimately, the Memphis Grizzlies placed all their chips on the “best available” option. Sometimes a team strikes out, and Memphis did just that. Unfortunately, Hasheem Thabeet became arguably the biggest bust in NBA Draft history. In the past, Beale Street Bears provided in-depth analysis on why the center did not pan out.

Immediately following Thabeet at No. 2, the Draft order read James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Jordan Hill, and DeMar DeRozan. Only two of these names — Flynn and Hill — were big disappointments while the rest have carved out productive careers at the very least.

Lastly just five seasons in the NBA, Hasheem Thabeet owns career averages of 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game on 56.5% field goal shooting. He managed to appear in 224 contests over those five seasons spent with a total of four different NBA franchises.

The 2009 NBA Draft could have completely altered the “Grit-‘N’-Grind” era, and it could have potentially landed one or mutliple NBA World Championships in Memphis, Tennessee. This Draft had plenty of “hits,” and the Grizzlies could not have missed any worse by selecting Thabeet. If only this would have been an April Fools’ joke!

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