Hasheem Thabeet

ESPN had a big write up on Hasheem Thabeet today which implied he was soft by saying things like, “Although, in UConn’s Elite Eight win over Missouri last weekend, Thabeet hurt his ring finger going after a loose ball. The way he flailed around, you’d have thought he lost an eyeball.”

What the article neglects to mention is the big man entered UConn as an extremely raw talent still getting a feel for the game. His development over this short period of time has been nothing short of remarkable.

I also seem to remember DeJuan Blair tossing him over his back by his shoulder earlier this year and Thabeet staying in the game and playing big minutes against the linebacker sized Blair.

Yes he gets muscled sometimes, but the toughness has steadily improved along with his game and he hasn't shown any reason to believe otherwise. If Thabeet is given all of 2009-10 to fill the need the Knicks are so desperate for - a shot blocking center to clog up the middle - he will serve as the perfect compliment to LeBron in 2010. The guy doesn't need any plays run for him and can clean up other people's messes. He's going to be happy whether he gets 5 shots or 15, its just the type of player he is and that is what you need to work with LeBron's game. Think Anderson Varejao at 7'3" with real talent...

Now, before everyone gets carried away, yes Blake Griffin is a better compliment, but I'm not getting greedy, lets just hope the Knicks can move up in the lottery, not necessarily to the #1 pick. Knick fans have been beaten down by too many lost lotteries since 1985 to think we'll get #1, but #2 or #3 I'd be thrilled to get chance to draft Thabeet there and I think if he continues to progress, LeBron would be thrilled to team with him in 2010 as well.