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**HKF** · 02-10-2008, 06:17 PM

Roy went for 20 and 8 against Thabeet and that's with UConn zoning and constantly double teaming him.

**RebelSun** · 02-10-2008, 07:34 PM

I did catch the GTech game. It was the first whole UConn game I've seen this year, and fortunately it was one to see. Thabeet didn't have any beasts to play against, but he's starting to put it all together.

I was surprised at his end-to-end speed, you have to remind yourself this guy is 7'3. I'm not sure I've seen a faster guy that size, or bigger. He also surprised with some explosiveness on dunks. His ability/willingness/etc to dunk had been in some question. Hash can really throw it down when he wants to; there's some nastiness in there. It was fun watching him get some consistent scoring, with contact, and then react; you can tell he's gaining confidence all the time.

I'm not sure he'll ever have the offensive awareness and IQ of Hong Kong Hibbert, but the defensive potential is pretty impressive. It'll be fun to see how he continues to develop.

**HKF** · 02-10-2008, 08:10 PM

lol. I'll be glad when Hibbert is in the league so I can stop arguing with RebelSun.

**croco** · 02-11-2008, 04:36 AM

Unless you expect him to come in and get something in the mold of 12/8 right away this debate will go on for a while.

Like A Breath · 02-19-2008, 07:34 PM

16, 13, 8 today in a come-from-behind win against a weak DePaul team. He's averaging 11 rebounds and 7 blocks over the last 5 games, but he's had 3 awful offensive games during this stretch. Thabeet is very inconsistent, but at he is at least showing flashes of rudimentary post moves.

While his defensive numbers have been good, he's been absolutely lit up by stars Luke Harangody(who he dominated during their first matchup) and Kentrell Gransberry in disturbing fashion. Any brute that puts a shoulder in his chest can score against him at this point. While his help defense has been magnificent, he needs more time in the weight room to be a good NBA defender.

I'm moving him from late first rounder to late lotto pick if he comes out this year, but it would do him so much good to stay another year. Unfortunately, his mom is still in Tanzania and he wants to move her over as quickly as possible.

TM · 04-27-2008, 12:21 PM

UConn center Thabeet to return to school for junior season

Good decision?

**HKF** · 04-27-2008, 12:41 PM

Excellent decision. Top 5 pick in 2009.

luther · 04-27-2008, 12:41 PM

I think it is a good decision. Thabeet is someone who is currently held back in terms of draft stock by things that can be improved upon--almost the opposite end of the spectrum from a Tyler Hansbrough. Thabeet has appeared almost clueless at times on the court, being a relative newcomer to basketball. As he continues to develop actual skills to complement his natural talent and size, his stock can only go up. (If he fails in that regard, well, then he has nobody else to blame but himself.)

He has a place in the NBA regardless, just because he's big and can impact a game defensively with his shot-blocking, while not being as immobile as a lot of guys that size. Right now if he declared, I think he'd go in the 15-25 range, depending on who stays in the draft and how some workouts go. But he could push himself to be a legitimate high lottery pick and make a lot more money earlier in his career. I realize his family desperately needs the money, which is why he talked about declaring the past couple of years. But hopefully they can hang on and he can keep getting better, because they may be much better off for it.

How much? If he left this year and went 20th, he'd be guaranteed about $2.5 million over his two guaranteed seasons. If he goes 5th in 2009 (not a lock, but not impossible, either), he is guaranteed about $6.3 million in his first two seasons (using this year's figures ... it would likely be a little more).

**RebelSun** · 04-27-2008, 04:26 PM

I like the decision. Dikembe was the closest comparison coming into college, and his progression has been pretty parallel. Both had relatively unremarkable frosh seasons before coming back and getting around 10/10/4bpg (Thabeet 2rpg less, but playing next to 9+rpg Adrien).

Deke had a killer junior season, getting 15/12/5bpg, which puts some pressure on Thabeet to step up if he wants to maintain that comparison. I don't think he'll be able to get 12+rpg with Adrien and the rapidly-improving Stanley Robinson next to him, but I think he should get close to the scoring and block average. He seemed to have more confidence on offense this season, and it should only improve.

UConn is going to be very good next season with everybody returning plus Kemba Walker, who should be a stud guard. They should make a solid tourney run, so Thabeet should have another chance to showcase himself on a huge stage on a great team. A monstrous tourney, following a great season, could easily bump him into the top 3-5.

No more college matchups against Hibbert, but he will have Samardo Samuels and Harangody. He needs to have very good showings against those guys, in terms of maintaining his stock next summer.

Nimreitz · 04-28-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKF

Excellent decision. Top 5 pick in 2009.

I concur. If Calhoun can't turn this kid into something special, it's because he doesn't have the drive or something. He has all the tools.

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