Hamed Haddadi has been patient all season.

Between going back and forth, being assigned and recalled from the Dakota Wizards of the NBDL and rarely getting out of his warmups when on the Grizzlies’ bench, the hulking center has been frustrated but has quietly awaited his turn.

On top of the waiting, Haddadi recognizes the pressure of making his country proud as the first Iranian player in the NBA.

“I haven’t played enough or played good, I feel like I haven’t represented our country the best way,” he told the Commercial Appeal, through his wife, Missagh.

“I think it will be better when I play. I want to present the name of Iran to make good, positive connections.”

Patience is a Virtue
Monday night was the night Haddadi has been hoping for all season long.

“I sat on the bench and said to myself ‘Hamed, this is your game.’ If you get in, you can change the game,” Haddadi said.

With 10:38 remaining in the fourth, and Memphis down 88-79 to the Golden State Warriors, Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins inserted the 23-year old Iranian center for his first taste of action all night.

And the 7-2, 260lb Haddadi would make his presence felt almost immediately.

Less than a minute in, Haddadi would put back an offensive rebound.  The next possession saw Hamed roll down the lane for running  dunk off an assist from fellow rookie O.J. Mayo.

Haddadi leaned into Rony Turiaf to grab another offensive rebound, who retaliated by pushing Hamed. Turiaf would get his fifth personal foul.

That same possession, Haddadi end up hitting a 16-foot jumper.  He wasn’t done there, Haddadi would use his long arms and frame to  foul out Turiaf the next time down.  He would change shots, tip the ball, and frustrate Anthony Morrow, and the undersized Golden State frontline.

“Haddadi was the difference-maker,” Memphis point guard Mike Conley said. “He really held his own out there.”

All in all, Hamed would key a 12-0 Grizzly run that eventually turned a 9 point deficit into a six point lead when he left the game; Memphis would outscore the Warriors 27-12 while the first Persian NBA player was in the game.  Play after play, as the game’s momentum changed, Haddadi applauded himself, and his teammates during dead balls.

“I’m happy we won the game.” Haddadi told reporters after the game.

The native of Ahvaz, Iran would end the night with career-highs of 10 points and 8 rebounds, as well as a block in just 9 minutes and 45 seconds of play.  It’s important to note that his performance wasn’t during garbage time.  O.J. Mayo scored 24 points and a career-high 10 assists, Rudy Gay added 21 points and the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is the second straight game that Haddadi has received extended minutes.  He had recored a career-high 7 points and 6 rebounds in 12 minutes in Memphis’ previous game against Portland.

Links and Resources: Grizzlies rally to beat Warriors, 114-109 (Commercial Appeal),  Iranian star turned Grizzly yearns for time on court (Commercial Appeal), Memphis Grizzlies 114, Golden State Warriors 109  Boxscore (NBA.com), Hamed Ehadadi, the next BIG thing (Interbasket), Hamed Haddadi headed towards New York City! (Interbasket), Hamed Haddadi signs with Memphis Grizzlies, NBA (Interbasket)