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Hasheem Thabeet News & Rumors

Rockets pass on lottery picks options, extensions; will save money for summer.
"The Rockets have told each of their four lottery picks from the 2009 NBA Draft – Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, Terrence Williams and Jordan Hill – they won't be picking up the fourth-year option on their rookie contracts, a person with knowledge of the talks said. The moves were not unexpected. Only Hill is playing. The Rockets, however, made the decision not as much because of the play of the four lottery picks, but to create room for a max contract should there be a free agent (Dwight Howard, Deron Williams lead the class), according to the person familiar with their thinking."
Thabeet keeping his head up
"The deadline for NBA teams to make roster cuts using the amnesty provision, in which the salary of a cut player would not count against the cap, passed Friday, but center Hasheem Thabeet said he felt no sense of relief. Thabeet could have been an amnesty cut had the Rockets needed to carve out an additional $5 million of cap space for a free-agent pickup. But when their efforts to land another big man fell through, the Rockets needed Thabeet more than additional cap room. "I'm just being grateful and staying humble and keep working," Thabeet said. "I've just been positive, coming out here ready to work for the coaches.""
Warriors pass on Andris Biedrins trade offer
"The Warriors have passed on a several trade offers from Houston, including one that would have sent center Andris Biedrins to the Rockets for Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet. At least, that's what Warriors director of basketball operations Kirk Lacob told French Web site BasketUSA.com. The Warriors seem to have growing confidence in a mental and physical training program they developed for Biedrins this summer."
Jury still out on Thabeet's Rockets future
"Though his answer may have sounded as if Hasheem Thabeet had been forced upon him, Rick Adelman meant it much more literally. Pretty soon, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will likely know how his coach felt. Asked whether Thabeet might receive playing time, Adelman caused a stir last week when he said, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do with him." He did not know at the time what Thabeet might be able to contribute or even if he could. With the Rockets still clinging to hope of a playoff run and with more big men than available playing time anyway, Adelman was not ready to experiment with a second-year player who had struggled so greatly in Memphis. Thabeet was not acquired to"
Grizzlies trade Thabeet for Battier; Mayo-to-Pacers deal never completed
"With starting forward Rudy Gay out with a shoulder injury for at least three more weeks, the Grizzlies acquired forward Shane Battier from the Houston Rockets for 2009 No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet at the NBA trade deadline today. The Grizzlies thought they had a trade that would send O.J. Mayo to Indiana for power forward/center Josh McRoberts and a first-round draft pick. But the deal was never consummated because the teams missed the NBA’s 2 p.m. deadline. “Despite published reports, O.J. was not traded,” Griz general manager Chris Wallace said in a tweet. The Indianapolis Star reported, on a source basis, that the Grizzlies pulled out of the deal at the last minute. National NBA reporter"
Grizzlies talk to Houston Rockets about Shane Battier
"The Grizzlies had serious discussions Wednesday with the Houston Rockets regarding a proposed deal that would swap second-year center Hasheem Thabeet for forward Shane Battier. A deal would hinge on Memphis' willingness to also include a future first-round draft pick in its bid to reunite with Battier. The Griz failed in their initial attempt to acquire Battier earlier this year and may try to enlist a third team to avoid sending the Rockets a pick. Battier, who was Memphis' first draft pick in 2001, played five seasons for the Griz, averaging 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He was traded to the Rockets in July 2006 in the deal that brought Rudy Gay to the Grizzlies. Memphis' 2011"
Memphis Grizzlies consider trading Hasheem Thabeet
"The Grizzlies' record dipped five games below .500 earlier this week, and now the possibility of reshaping the roster has piqued their interest. Team executives, who had insisted the current group would have until the All-Star break to find a rhythm, will consider potential trade offers depending on how the Griz handle the next two weeks. Sources with knowledge of the team's thinking said Wednesday that the Grizzlies' 12-17 record has been deemed unacceptable. The team might look to shake up the roster if it can't put together a significant winning streak and solidify a place in the Western Conference playoff race. To that end, 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet is no longer unavailable. The Griz"
Grizzlies Haven't Given Up on Struggling Hasheem Thabeet
"Hasheem Thabeet hasn't exactly shown signs of being the next Dikembe Mutombo, the NBA's last top big man from Africa. In fact, he's looking a lot more like the next Yinka Dare. But Memphis general manager Chris Wallace insists he's far from given up on the center the Grizzlies took with the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Thabeet, a native of Tanzania, was selected ahead of the likes of Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and Brandon Jennings and well ahead of No. 26 pick Taj Gibson, who so far has been the best big-man pick of that draft. "I'm not a regrets guy,'' Wallace said. "I don't think he should be put in a dead-letter file. That's extremely premature for that.'' Still, it's stunning how"
Griz officials say no deals are imminent despite rumors about Mayo, Thabeet
"Trade rumors involving the Grizzlies are starting to swirl, but team brass put on ice Monday any notion that they are looking to deal guard O.J. Mayo and/or center Hasheem Thabeet. One Internet report speculated that the team had given up on Thabeet, the No. 2 pick in 2009, and were actively shopping him. A different blog cited an unidentified source as declaring that Mayo could be headed to New York as soon as this week. "We are not trying to trade O.J. or Hasheem," said Griz owner Michael Heisley, who sat courtside Monday with Portland in town. "We haven't had any conversations about them, and I should know because I'm the one making the decisions." Griz coach Lionel Hollins said trade"
Grizzlies' Hasheem Thabeet honors father by giving back
"Hasheem Thabeet's late father, Thabit Manka, instilled in his son the belief that if he was good to others, he would grow up to do great things. That explains why the Grizzlies' second-year center from Tanzania is proud to be taking part in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in Dakar, Senegal. Thabeet, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and several other NBA players arrived in Africa Thursday and will be there until Monday. While in Senegal, they will help coach the top 60 19-under players from Africa, as well as participate in several community-service events. "I'm doing this for (my dad) right now," Thabeet said. "I don't have words to explain it. "Several years ago, I was"
Mutombo pays visit, scouts Thabeet
"Retired center Dikembe Mutombo sat courtside Wednesday night, putting a cap on a day mostly geared toward meshing with Grizzlies rookie Hasheem Thabeet. "He's very interested in Hasheem," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. "He wanted to come in and get together with Hasheem." Mutombo has served as a global ambassador for the NBA since he retired from the Houston Rockets in 2009. It is not uncommon for the former Defensive Player of the Year to visit different NBA cities throughout the season. It is believed, too, that the Griz might talk to Mutombo about working as a paid consultant in the offseason. Mutombo will spend a lot of time coaching Thabeet in the summer if the Griz have"
Grizzlies recall Thabeet from Development League
"The Grizzlies recalled center Hasheem Thabeet from the Dakota Wizards, the team's NBA Development League affiliate, general manager Chris Wallace announced today. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Thabeet averaged a double-double with 13.8 points and 11.2 rebounds along with 3.2 blocks in six games (four starts) with Dakota."
Thabeet seeks boost from D-League stay
"The plush surroundings of all those Ritz Carltons and Four Seasons have disappeared. These days, Hasheem Thabeet rests his head in a two-star motel in chilly Bismarck, N.D. Gone, too, are the charter flights and all the legroom they afforded. Eight months ago Thabeet was celebrating his selection as the second overall pick of the NBA draft. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA's Development League. That's not to say Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday's game to $2. For Thabeet, the D-League is home, at least for a little bit, and he's determined to make the"
Nothing But 'Net: Thabeet trying to find way back to NBA, via North Dakota
"Hasheem Thabeet grabbed his sneakers and began wandering around the visitors locker room last Friday at Tulio Arena in Erie, Pa. He had just made his debut with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League, but he was still finding his way. Where was the equipment bag for his sneakers? "Hasheem, this is the D-League," Wizards coach Rory White told him. "And in the D-League, you carry your own sneakers." If Thabeet suddenly felt thousands of miles removed from the trappings of the NBA lifestyle, then there would be more. Oh, so much more. How about folding up his 7-foot-3 frame on Monday afternoon and flying coach from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Detroit … and then from Detroit to Minneapolis"
Grizzlies big man Hasheem Thabeet stepping up game
"Hasheem Thabeet is trying to prove himself a consistent rebounder and shot-blocker. When Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden glided toward the rim for a lay-up attempt last Friday, Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem Thabeet was there to meet him. Before Thabeet's body collided with Harden and before an official called a foul, Thabeet's right hand had already pinned the basketball against the backboard. The Grizzlies protested the call as the FedExForum crowd roared its approval. Thabeet sat on the court, emphatically smacking his hands on the floor. It was a rare show of emotion from the 7-footer. He was fired up. Thabeet appeared confident. The No. 2 overall pick from the 2009 NBA draft"
Thabeet might be back soon
"Grizzlies rookie Hasheem Thabeet did not make the trip to Toyota Center, but he could return from injury as soon as Saturday. The rookie center appeared to suffer a broken jaw Tuesday after a collision with teammate Zach Randolph during a loss to Portland. But Griz coach Lionel Hollins described Thabeet's injury as a "fractured bone on the lower jaw along the teeth line." Thabeet will miss only a matter of days. "It's a hairline fracture," Hollins said. "They've got it wired. Obviously, it'll be a pain issue, but we'll see what happens." Hollins said the timing of the injury was bad, too. He'd decided to give the 7-footer consistent playing time. "I was going to give him that time"
Thabeet leaves game with broken jaw
"The Grizzlies returned home to FedExForum on Tuesday night after a tumultuous trip to the West Coast, where they took a beating in the press and in the Western Conference standings. Coach Lionel Hollins knew his team needed something good to happen against the Portland Trail Blazers. "It would be great," he said before the game, almost in a whisper, "to get a win." The franchise was fragile, his young players rattled — by five straight losses and by Hurricane A.I., who had left so much damage in his wake. Allen Iverson was hundreds of miles from the Grizzlies bench by the opening tip, at home in Atlanta mulling retirement. But his ghost haunted the place. The Blazers are a talented team"
Griz rookie Hasheem Thabeet finally waking up
"He has already adopted the nickname "Dream," something Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon emphatically put in the NBA lexicon. Given how Grizzlies rookie Hasheem Thabeet looked until the team's first two preseason games, you could understand the snickers. Thabeet must be dreaming, right? The No. 2 overall pick in the June draft didn't come close to dominating the rookie/free-agent showcase at Las Vegas in July. Then, the 7-3 Thabeet often wandered aimlessly through Grizzlies' training camp at Birmingham-Southern College. First impressions hardly suggested "HasheemTheDream," as his Twitter account states. He seemed more like HasheemTheLostCause, a rookie asleep for too many stretches on the"