Hamed Haddadi the next big thing

[Handlez73]

yeah H.H is a big time player !!!

[kerdito]

IMO, Thabeet is way too overrated. He is great at defense but his offense is non-existent. IMHO, Haddadi is better than Thabeet at this point in their career.

Don't forget that Hamed as a lot of experience already while Thabet's experience is only his NCAA games which means nothing on the international level.
Hamed already played in the Olympics and a season more in the NBA but still Thabet is more athletic and a better defensive player, Hamed has some good offensive level comparing to Thabet.

[mvblair]

A nice article about Haddadi and pro-ball in Iran. Click on the link for the whole article:

Haddadi Still a Work in Progress - by Jorge Sierra, HoopsHype.com, February 22, 2010

....Stuck behind All-Star Zach Randolph, double-double machine Marc Gasol and shot-blocking rookie Hasheem Thabeet, Haddadi’s playing time has actually gone down a notch this season – 4.8 mpg, 0.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg – compared to the last one, where he averaged 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 0.6 bpg on just 6.3 minutes per game.

“I’m not happy that I’m not playing,” Haddadi said. “But I’m happy that I’m in the NBA and winning games.”

That success, with the team no longer in the player development business and using a short rotation (no bench player averages more than 17 mpg in Memphis), probably isn’t helping Haddadi’s cause. Also hurting him early in his NBA career is the brutal transition he’s had to go through. Unlike most international prospects, Haddadi didn’t see much real competition before joining the league and is still playing the price for it.

“Everything goes so fast,” Haddadi said. “Here everybody can run, shoot and jump. In Iran, if you were good at one of those things, you were not good at the others. It’s difficult for me.”

While basketball is a booming sport in Iran, the domestic league is leaps and bounds behind what you’ll find in Europe, for example.....

....A stint in Europe may have eased the transition for the likeable Haddadi, but he passed on playing there when given the chance. The 7-foot-2 center, whose English is as much a work in progress as his game, says he received an offer from Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade three years ago.

“They called me and said they wanted me for one year,” Haddadi. “But I answered no because I wanted to focus on the Olympic Games in Beijing and wanted to practice with the National Team. It worked well for me because I played pretty good at the Olympics and Memphis signed me.”

The Beijing outing indeed proved to be key for Haddadi’s NBA hopes. He led the Olympic tournament in rebounds and blocked shots and was able to display his skills in front of a large audience.

[Former Clippers center Josh] Moore, who played against him during his time in Iran, wasn’t surprised by Haddadi’s impressive performance.

“He has a great amount of natural skill and potential,” Moore said. “I would compare him to Dirk Nowitzki skill-wise, with enough heart to get dirty around the basket - which Dirk doesn’t have. He has great footwork and, for some reason, a natural feel for the game.”

....

Haddadi is a good player, obviously. It's hard for him to get more minutes behind Gasol and Randolph, but I think he will make a nice back-up center for a team in the near future.

[rikhardur]

Haddadi spent 15 minutes on the floor and recorded 8 points (3/4 FG), 8 rebounds (3 offensive) and a block as the Grizzlies beat the Wizards.

[mvblair]

Haddadi spent 15 minutes on the floor and recorded 8 points (3/4 FG), 8 rebounds (3 offensive) and a block as the Grizzlies beat the Wizards.

And his +/- was a team high +14.

“I want to give Hamed a shot. He’s done well in practice. And then he goes in the game and does a little bit better than I expected. I want to see if he can continue to do that. He’s a guy who can get some offensive rebounds and guard the basket. We’ll see if he can do it on a high level.” -- Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins

[Buran]

And his +/- was a team high +14.

“I want to give Hamed a shot. He’s done well in practice. And then he goes in the game and does a little bit better than I expected. I want to see if he can continue to do that. He’s a guy who can get some offensive rebounds and guard the basket. We’ll see if he can do it on a high level.” -- Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins

it's surprising that all the sudden and out of the blue, the coach has decided to bench his project" Thabeet, and give Haddadi some chance. Are they benching Thabeet because of some disciplinary issue? (he is not injured apparently).
Whatever the reason, I'm sure Haddadi knows that he should capitalize on this opportunity and show how good of a player he is, his stats for last night are great. There is no question that at the moment Gasol is the best C in Memphis' Roster, but I have no doubt Haddadi could at least be the #1 C off the bench if given the chance.

[silnismo]

Good News for Haddadi,

Memphis Grizzlies have sent Hasheem Thabeet to the D-leauge. Coach Lionel saids Haddadi will be taking his minutes and will be the back up for starter Marc Gasol.

I like the guy alot, and hope he can embrace this oppurtunity.

[rikhardur]

Good News for Haddadi,

Memphis Grizzlies have sent Hasheem Thabeet to the D-leauge. Coach Lionel saids Haddadi will be taking his minutes and will be the back up for starter Marc Gasol.

I like the guy alot, and hope he can embrace this oppurtunity.

Yeah, Hadaddi is receiving a very strong vote of confidence from Hollins. He deserves it, that's all I can say. Now it's up to him.

[sinobball]

Yeah, Hadaddi is receiving a very strong vote of confidence from Hollins. He deserves it, that's all I can say. Now it's up to him.

More like a "last chance" for him, if he doesn't impress now, his NBA days are numbered. Thabeet doesn't have to worry about a paycheck these years but Hadadi should.

He would be great in Europe I believe. I think he's a little too slow and unathletic for NBA standards.

[rikhardur]

More like a "last chance" for him, if he doesn't impress now, his NBA days are numbered. Thabeet doesn't have to worry about a paycheck these years but Hadadi should.

He would be great in Europe I believe. I think he's a little too slow and unathletic for NBA standards.

Good point, totally agreed.

[silnismo]

Since taking over Thabeets minutes, Haddadi has struggled a bit.

-Picking up 4 fouls in 7 mins in 1st game.

-Then going 1-5 FG, including a 3pt attempt in the next game.

Im pulling for Haddadi, but he's better then this.

[silnismo]

Thabeet recalled back form the D-leauge.

Does not look good for Haddadi.

[kerdito]

Hamed is a tough player yes he is unathletic for the NBA but he can really be usefull in the NBA, he has a great vision on the court and shown that with some gorgeous assits.
Haddadi has the talent but unfortunately the minutes he has got won't give him enough experience to fit in the NBA, the most time he played in a single game in the NBA is 18 minutes!!! and that was last year as for this year it is 15 minutes.
I think in games where the difference is big in the score he should get some extra minutes so they can really judge him.

[BBallfanJ]

Well, Haddadi may finally get an opportunity to get decent minutes as the Grizz have shut down Marc Gasol, due to neck troubles. Tonight, Haddadi scored 3 points, with 4 rebounds in 15 minutes.

[sinobball]

Well, Haddadi may finally get an opportunity to get decent minutes as the Grizz have shut down Marc Gasol, due to neck troubles. Tonight, Haddadi scored 3 points, with 4 rebounds in 15 minutes.

... and 0pt in 3 minutes the next game. Thabeet is getting all the minutes despite having similar scoring outputs.

It looks like we won't see Haddadi in Memphis next year. Where will he be? I think he might find another chance in the NBA. But if not, Europe or back to Iran? Or China? (Whichever CBA team that gets him as an "Asian import" can battle for the CBA title... hehe)