[valentine]

I can’t stand the fact that Blake Griffin is dominating the top spot in a lot of mock drafts. If he was so great he should have came out last season. I truly believe that Hasheem Thabeet is the answer for the number one spot. Legit centers don’t come around every draft, and Thabeet is a game changer at 7’2. All the bad teams that draft high are usually bad defensive teams and with Oklahoma or Washington eyeing the that top spot both those teams have solid scoring foundations. Blake Griffin reminds me of a Sean May or Kevin Love player in the fact that he can over power his peers with little effort. Blake Griffin is a bad free throw shooter (63 percent), and lacks post skills. I understand how fitting it is for Blake to play in his home town if he gets pick by Oklahoma, but I think at this level it is about winning in the NBA, and I think Thabeet gives you a better chance at that.

[L.ShapParticipant]

Blake Griffin seperates himself from Kevin Love and Sean May easily because of his speed. He can also shoot from mid range pretty well. He has the speed of Amare and the post moves of Carlos Boozer. The guy is not like any other player in the NBA. He also does not get in foul trouble often either. At 6’10” he is a legitimate power foward too.
Thabeet has a lot of potential, but he is far from it right now. He can barely score 13 points consistently. His shot blocking is advanced, but his rebounding needs work, considering he isn’t dominating the boards in college like Griffin is.

[kpi03Participant]

The only reason he didn’t come out and go to the draft last year is because this year is his brother Taylor Griffins senior year. He wanted this chance to finish playing with his brother because he would never get the chance to again. This guy is GREAT, and he is the hardest working player on his team. When you are the best player and the hardest worker, watch out. He deserves to be (and will be) the first over all pick and I think Oklahoma has a real chance to win it all with him in the middle. Just imagine how much better Oklahoma City would be with their hometown hero… him and durant would be sick. What about if the Grizzlies get the first pick? Wow OJ, Gay, and BG??? Sickening.

[NBA scout]

We over hype these type of decorated players. I’m not a Blake Griffin hater, but I still think Thabeet is the answer. Griffin is playing in a watered down Big 12 and I like to see him play in the same competition that Thabeet has to go up against. These type of players like Griffin put up gaudy stats and flop. Uconn traditionally puts out productive pros. Also don’t tell me that he wants to play with his brother one last time, Blake is a big boy he isn’t a baby that was just an excuse to show he isn’t ready. He knows he’s got a lot of work ahead of him. So yes he has the stats, but Thabeet has the nba game. You can find a PF sleeper in the draft like Darell Arthur.

[bolewa]

Notre Dame beat Texas by one, Syracuse beat Young Kansas team by eight, Texas beat Villanova by 9, Baylor beat Providence by fifteen, and Pittsburgh beat Texas Tech by 13, the same Texas Tech that got blown out by 22 to Texas, that’s watered down??? Your Blake Griffin Hater, that’s cool you don’t have to like the dude, but respect his decisions, he’s a baby for wanting to play ball with his brother? Your talking mad ignorance man, how many players arent ready go to the league and become bust, at least he’s leaving when he’s ready. Thabeet at best is Dikembe Mutumbo, whereas Blake Griffin at best is more Athletic Karl Malone and if you were scout and told that to GM who had the number one pick you’ll be jobless wishing you kept your mouth closed.

[canesboy6Participant]

I know you can’t teach 7’3, but if you’ve ever watched Thabeet actually play you can tell that 7’3 is just about the only legit NBA skill he has. This is absolutely absurd to even discuss, he has next to no offensive game, and its his JUNIOR YEAR already. He looks lost on offense have the other times, and the other half he is getting in peoples ways when they are trying to drive or setup in the post. He is a great shotblocker, but that is because he camps his tall self under the basket, which would be a defensive three seconds in the nba. His lateral foot speed is pretty bad, the 6’7 and slow, albiet talented Harangody was destroying him off dribble. So if he is a non factor offensively and a liability of sorts in man to man defense, im really puzzled as to what makes him a more legit number 1 than the absolute beast who is blake griffin, who might i add has a phenominal skill level paired with off the charts potential, which you see by his actually improvement in his 2 years at oklahoma. It’s not even close

[canesboy6Participant]

just 1 more thing. The argument that griffin would have come out last year is bunk, because the same applies for Thabeet, EXCEPT for another year. Griffin stayed to be 1st overall pick and more ready to play right away, rather than the 5th or 6th and a year or two away. If you are 7’3 and not completely immoble and it takes 3 years to enter, to me that suggests that there is a severe deficciency in skills.

[deuce4off]

For all those who discredit this kid, you have to consider this is his 4th or 5th year playing organized basketball. The kid still has tons of untapped potential. His numbers have improved year after year on a team where he is at best the 4th option on offense. He even knocks down 75% of his FT’s with the best form someone his size has probably ever had. Granted he still needs a lot of work on post skills, someone 7’3” who can move, rebound and block shots like him rarely comes along. He would benefit from a mentor as Andrew Bynum has benefitted from the knowledge of Kareem. Thabeet and Griffin should be the consensus top 2 picks, unless a team in the top two passes already having a big. I see no problems with anyone putting Thabeet #1. It will probably come down to who is drafting first.

[janestis308Participant]

Griffin at this point is much more polished and ready to contribute right now. Both Krstic and Collison are signed through the next 2 seasons and even though neither is by any means a franchise Center they are both capable enough with the right surrounding cast.

Krstic/Collison, Griffin, Green, Durant, Westbrook starting 5 would be a great start to a franchise that is building right. They still have 2 more first round picks to continue to build depth so it’s no-brainer to take Griffin.

In addition, even though I agree OKC should not just take the hometown kid, they are still trying to build a fanbase – taking a kid that is local and has little bust potential is the right choice.

I also agree with canesboy, I admit I have only seen Thabeet maybe a half-dozen times but he has been mediocre at best when I have seen him. Both Monroe and Harangody were superior in the games I watched when they went head to head. You also failed to mention that Thabeet is a worst FT shooter than Griffin.

[janestis308Participant]

Good post Duece but no idea where you are getting that FT % from:

65 for 105 that’s 62%, no where near 75%

He has actually dropped in % from last year at the line.

[canesboy6Participant]

you are more than welcome to be wrong and vulgar, but i dont know what you are talking about. Eddy curry and Kwame brown never played in college. If your talking about htier high school hype, LEBRON and KOBE and AMARE had big hype outta highschool and htere ok. Tyler Hansbrough wont be a lottery pick, but will be a good pick and pop hustle player off hte bench or a fringe starter, which is pretty good for a late 1st rounder which is what he will be. Griffin’s hype comes fom his crazy athleticism and skill level before his amazing numbers, which you would know if you followed the draft because he woulda been top 6 last year, when he didnt have the amazing numbers. Just because some guys with amazing numbers flopped doesnt mean guys with good numbers cant play, thats backwards logic. KEVIN DURANT had huge numbers as did MICHAEL BEASLEY and a million others. All in all, Griffin’s hype comes from the fact that he is an animal who is only getting better and a huge athlete. not on just his numbers. booya

[shipargosParticipant]

Griffin athelticism is hard to ignore, and has skills too, at worst he will be Shawn Kemp.

Thabeet deserves some credit as well, he is a supreme shot blocker and average rebounder for a center, with an improving offensive game. but right now he needs at least two years in NBA to show something else other than blocking shots. if Thabeet had played in his early days at school he will be the choice right now but lacks experience.

worst case scenario for Thabeet, Saer Sene,
Best Case Mutombo.
Most likely case a cross beetween Diop and Mutombo.

[shipargosParticipant]

Griffin athelticism is hard to ignore, and has skills too, at worst he will be Shawn Kemp.

Thabeet deserves some credit as well, he is a supreme shot blocker and average rebounder for a center, with an improving offensive game. but right now he needs at least two years in NBA to show something else other than blocking shots. if Thabeet had played in his early days at school he will be the choice right now but lacks experience.

worst case scenario for Thabeet, Saer Sene,
Best Case Mutombo.
Most likely case a cross beetween Diop and Mutombo.

[NBA scout]

Don’t fuckin piss me OFF! My uncle Jay murphy played college and pro ball and my cousin Erick yeah he is going to florida to play for billy d. So stop trying to act proper and you should be vulgar, that’s a real man. My draft knowledge goes back when len bias was drafted. You sir need a life. Ok don’t take cheap shots at me pussy. I’m not here to trade insults! Don’t push me.

[darkman97Participant]

Well first I want to know which one of you guys are dating these college players? lol. I think that there is no question that Blake Griffin is the best big in college right now. Only thing is I also liked Michael Beasley all of last year and have been highly disappointed in his NBA effort thus far. As far thabeet and him being 7’3, I don’t look into that anymore, the game has changed from how it was in the 1980’s. The center and both forward positions have merged meaning back when Alonzo Mourning came out at 6’10 he was a true post center, now he would be a slow power forward. With players like KG and Dirk we have taken the seven footers and force them to be more gaurd like.

[kpi03Participant]

Blake Griffin is Karl Malone/Shawn Kemp rolled up into one big bad ass power forward.

[TimberTrollParticipant]

Scout guy I like your idea that Thabeet could be a better pick than Griffin for OKC or Washington, but I hope for your sake you try not to take opposition to your theories so personal. Anyways, until about a minute ago I haven’t been a big fan of Thabeet for a lot of reasons; he’s slow and thus can’t defend pick n rolls, he won’t be able to stay in front of quicker players, he gets backed down even though he’s HUGE, and he doesn’t show much offensively. But when I thought about it, and then looked at all the players who have been able to block more than 3 shots a game in the NBA, I realized that he does in fact have a good chance to make a big impact on a game. WOW, did I mention everyone should be watching the Duke vs Wake game? Teague and Henderson, I love it. Anyways, I agree that Thabeet could be a better fit than Griffin on some teams, but OKC and Washington ain’t them lol. Actually, I’m not sure who he’d be a better fit for cuz Griffin honestly brings no liabilites to the table and is just a beast. Damn what a frickin dunk by Aminu!!! I gotta get off this thing. Anyways, I think Thabeet would be a good top 5 pick if he can block more than 3 shots a game in the NBA.

[sauer1525Participant]

I dont know about thabeet at all, I think ive seen better hands on a snake. The thought of thabeet attempting to play defense on the likes of Dwight Howard is sickening just to think about! The guy has zero, and I mean absolutely zero offensive game. Yeah, hes a beast against the likes of Fairfield and the other terrible non conference teams uconn plays, but any team with a legit big man never seems to have a problem with thabeet. Monroe torched thabeet and I imagine Blair at Pitt will do more of the same. Personally I dont even feel like thabeet is the best big man on his team! When uconn needs a stop or a rebound, they turn to jeff adrian, not hasheem thabeet. Majority of all of thabeets points come off of alley oops, nothing created on his own. He also appears to be clueless on backdoor cuts and knowing where the ball is at all times. He never chases down a rebound either, it pretty much has to fall into his hands. He does understand the concept of not leaving his feet early and blocking shots for the most part…and he does a great job. But something tells me that since he struggles at times to score in double digits at the college level, if he even came close to averaging 5-6 points a game in the league, id be suprised. Wasting such a high pick on someone who was supposed to be coming into his own this year, which obviously hasnt happened seems insane. Oden absolutely dominated the college game on both ends of the floor, and hes struggling for 10 a night and double digit rebounds….thabeet hasnt even come close to dominating the college game, so i cant believe hed even impact the least bit at the next level….

[deuce4off]

he was at 75% at one point this year regarding my post….As for your last comment Sauer, you say Oden completey dominated on both ends of the court in college while Thabeet hasn’t come close. Well comparing stats Oden averaged 15.7 ppg. 9.6 rpg 3.3 bpg 61 fg% in a watered down Big 10 while Thabeet is averaging 13.0 ppg 10.1 rpg 3.7 bpg 66 fg% in the best conference in college, while being the #4 option. Don’t really see much difference if any. Not sure where you were going with those comments but you’re clearly confused.

[los2003Participant]

I still think it should come down to team need.. you should have good players coming out a a couple positions.. the 1,2,4 and 5.. I don’t really see any 3 men worthy of the first pick right now.. you have ricky rubio, and brandon jennings at the point (whom I think will be taken around 7) James harden at the 2.. Hasheem at the 5 he is a great prospect..

[los2003Participant]

if the draft went the way it’s setup on the site.. Blake should go number 1.. There a chance they may take thabeet or harden.. But okc doesn’t really need anmore guards the picked up westbrrok to play the point and signed kristic to a 3 year deal.. but you could say they still nee da 2 man so harden would fit.. So if the don’t take harden I can see him falling to 3 or 7

[los2003Participant]

and I don’t think Jordan hill shoud even be a lottery pick.. He hasn’t don’t much in his college career he was a rold player no all of a sudden he a physical specimen say all the scout.. he was the same guy last year.. he added 10 pounds that sall..

[Stevedot]

wit the thunder is going to do

but they picked russel west broke

over my point gaurd bayless

and its turning out well cuzz they got a great point gaurd

not a tweener

so im sure when griffin comes in to work out that

the thunder will see if hes over hyped or not

i would like to see harden on the thunder tho

cuzz they no they a b gettin a bradon roy type of player out of him

we not sure wat griffins gone be alot of bigs end up nothing

darko millici

kwame brown

i think boozer excels in jerry sloans system to

so u gotta take that into factor when u compare him to boozer

boozer play the way he does cuzz hes running in a hall of fame stystem

milsap is doing great in that system to

did u see boozer in the Olympics

he looked like he aint kno wat to do

turningover the ball

so griffin has alot to prove

and over the years not alot first over all picks won a champonships

thew last 2 that did

shaq and duncan are hall of famers

and i dont see griffin domintaing like them

i see griffin
being a keyon martian type of player

[CoherentParticipant]

Every player in this draft will not be a star their first year, I am almost positive of that. The only lock starters in the draft are Griffen and Thabeet depending on their teams. Blake is definetly not a lock at number one if OKC gets 1. Have you seen the center situation their? Although they have look took a couple centers in the first round each of the last couple years. Thabeet will be a solid NBA center, Mutumbo type player.

I’m really believe the draft lottery is bought, no way Chicago got that pick without David sterns help. Chicago is a big franchise, and they wanted them to get rose. It will be NY or Memphis with the number one pick I believe, and if either of these teams get the #1, Griffen will be a lock.

[sauer1525Participant]

I dont see how thabeet will be effective at the next level, I just dont….he needs a roll in which there isnt alot demanded from him, and if he gets into a spot where he is being asked to contribute right away that just isnt a realistic goal I dont think right now. He brings absolutely nothing to the offensive end of the floor. SO what if he blocks 2 or 3 shots, the man playing him is still going to score on him, and thabeet isnt going to score at all. Thabeet may save you 6 points in blocks, but hes going to be giving up at least 20 to every legit center in the league while scoring barely any. Thats how games are lost. Jeff Adrian contributes more to UCONN defensively and offensively than thabeet does but out rebounding him every game and outscoring him…I seriously feel that thabeet and blake arent even in the same league, and if Hansbrough had to go up against thabeet in the NCAA tournement, i have a feeling tyler would shred him to pieces.

[sauer1525Participant]

to Deuce who said thabeet is averaging 10 ppg in the best conference in america and thinks he can score at the next level….

thabeet has scored over 20 points 3 times this season, not once against a big east team; Buffalo, Western Carolina and Fairfield….however against the beasts of the big east he has managed to score; 4 against G’Town, 8 against Cincy (not even a beast in the East), 9 against ND and a big east high of 15 against Rutgers and Seton Hall!! Yeah hes really tearing up the big east alright….Hes playing against guys that come up to his shoulders…..and when ever he plays a real center he gets worked like a 9 to 5. Harangody is pretty much glued to the floor and was able to score on thabeet in a variety of ways, while monroe took it right to the big guy in the paint. Once Dajuan Blair beasts on him twice and harangody one more time, we will see how great thabeet really is…if you seriously think greg oden was about the same as thabeet in college, you are the one confused.

[deuce4off]

I just don’t understand how you can say someone dominated college basketball and the other hasn’t come close when they put up comparable stats….you can’t refute that. Yes Oden was more polished, but to say one dominated and one did nothing is absurd. And for those players who scored on him, basically they are athletic power forwards who he should never be guarding, and wouldn’t guard in the NBA. They should be able to get around him on occasion, but never did they go up and over him. If you watched the ND/UCONN game you would have also noticed the 6 air balls Harangody chucked. Again discredit Thabeet all you want, he’s been playing basketball for 4 years and if you don’t think he’s still getting better you’re just fooling yourself. Also, don’t misquote me anymore as I never said he can score at the next level. What nonsense are you going to spit next guy?

[sauer1525Participant]

once harangody realized he could stick it to thabeet he did. He fired up a few airballs right after the tip off, then after that he murdered him on reverse layups, hook shots, three pointers…you name it he did it. Monroe went over the top of thabeet all day with the hook shot. You think thabeet could honestly defend someone like Dwight Howard, or how about the other almost uconn product, bynum? Shaq would toss him like a rag doll. Those are the guys that tool on everyone, I feel personally even the low tier centers could work him over. Guys like Okur would drag him out to the permiter and then blow by him never mind the moves duncan would lay on him. I bet even a slob like Dampier would be too much for thabeet to handle. The centers in the NBA are just as if not more athletic than the forward type players he is facing right now in college that you claim he wont have to deal with. Not many centers are giant lunks that cant even move, the games changed. Thabeet is going to be good for one thing in the NBA, getting posterized. Thabeet doesnt even have a hook shot. He gets 10 points a game posting up 6’8 centers and catching lob passes over the top, or he benifits from perfect alley oop passes from slicen dyson or price. You ever seen thabeet do a drop step? Nope. You ever see thabeet domianted by a smarter player? Yup…if this guy is drafted high and expected to rejuvinate a franchise, then hes going to bust. Looking at the worst teams in the league, that could draft him I dont even know if he could step in and be the center. Brendan Haywood for washington is more effective than thabeet. Uconn fans have been waiting patiently for this guy to blossom into the next great thing, and it hasnt even come close to happening. If it wasnt for Adrian bailing that bum out time after time, Uconn would be down somewhere in the 9-14 range for rankings i bet. Thabeet will leave after this year, and itll be the biggest mistake of his life.

[deuce4off]

haha you wasted how much of your life writing your last post….by the way im sure no one read…….like i said, 4th year

[Author]

Posts