Hasheem Thabeet's Journey In The NBA

Thabeet seeks boost from D-League stay
Marc J. Spears

The plush surroundings of all those Ritz Carltons and Four Seasons have disappeared. These days, Hasheem Thabeet(notes) rests his head in a two-star motel in chilly Bismarck, N.D. Gone, too, are the charter flights and all the legroom they afforded.

Eight months ago Thabeet was celebrating his selection as the second overall pick of the NBA draft. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA’s Development League. That’s not to say Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday’s game to $2.

For Thabeet, the D-League is home, at least for a little bit, and he’s determined to make the best of it.

People in the NBA are “definitely looking at it negatively,” Thabeet said. “ ‘He’s the No. 2 pick. He’s not supposed to be there. I can’t believe that guy is over there and he’s the second pick.’ But you got to go and work your way up there. I’m working my way up here, working on my confidence.

“When the time comes, I’ll be able to answer the call.”

The Memphis Grizzlies decided they couldn’t pass on Thabeet’s potential to become a shot-blocking giant when they drafted the 7-foot-3 center. A second-team All-America from the University of Connecticut, Thabeet drew comparisons to former NBA defensive great Dikembe Mutombo(notes). In doing so, however, the Grizzlies passed on more NBA-ready prospects like Tyreke Evans(notes), James Harden(notes), Jonny Flynn(notes) and Stephen Curry(notes).

Thabeet’s high draft selection earned him a $4.5 million salary for his rookie season, and he admits to feeling immense pressure to succeed immediately. His contributions, however, were much more modest: Before being sent to Dakota, he was averaging 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two fouls in 10.3 minutes per game. He’s struggled to adjust to the quicker pace of the NBA and his offensive skills still need considerable refining.

“People are expecting a lot from you,” Thabeet said. “Your teammates back from high school and college. Your college coaches, everyone that knows you. They’re all expecting a lot from me. That’s a lot of pressure. But now I have to look at it as motivation to work even harder. They sent me out here. I got to show them, ‘OK, this is not where I belong.’ I just have to keep working hard and my time will come.

“I put myself into this situation. Now I got to deal with it.”

Thabeet’s rookie season reached a low point when he recently lost his place in the rotation to second-year center Hamed Haddadi(notes). Thabeet’s confidence needed a boost, and for that, he needed minutes. So the Grizzlies decided to send him to the D-League for six games. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said Haddadi benefited from his stay in the D-League last season, and the hope is that Thabeet will do the same.

“We’re looking to give Thabeet playing time and experience,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We’re looking for development.”

In Dakota, Thabeet is playing for the league’s smallest-market team in a city with frigid temperatures and a black population of .28 percent. After playing two games in Fort Wayne, Ind., the Wizards flew to Detroit and then to Minneapolis on commercial planes before finally reaching Bismarck. Not quite the posh non-stop charter flights Thabeet was accustomed to taking with the Grizzlies. If Thabeet gets bored, he has the Kirkwood Shopping Mall and Dakota Zoo nearby to hang out.

“It’s pretty cool, but there is not much really to do,” Thabeet said. “I’m just focused on what brought me here. I’m on a mission and I want to show people what I’ve been working on.”

Thabeet’s arrival has generated some interest in Bismarck.

About 20 media members showed up for his introductory news conference. Ryan Carlson, the Wizards’ director of group sales and media relations, had 40 ticket requests from friends for Thabeet’s home debut, which drew a crowd of 2,544, about twice as large as normal. Thabeet didn’t disappoint, totaling 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 109-81 win over Albuquerque. Afterward, he was greeted by several fans waiting in line for his autograph. Through three D-League games, Thabeet has averaged 15 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 68 percent.

Dakota coach Rory White said Thabeet remains a “work in progress.” “Right now, it’s all about getting him some confidence, and the only way to do that is to get him some minutes in a real game,” White said.

Thabeet hasn’t grumbled about his D-League assignment. Born in Tanzania, he hasn’t forgotten that he began playing organized basketball just seven years ago. It’s not too long ago that he was emailing coaches and schools, begging for an opportunity to play in the United States.

To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.

“This is my job,” Thabeet said. “I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do – my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them.

“I’m excited and I can’t wait to go back up there.”
 
Hmmmh...why everyone is negative bout you dogg?...Yaani hata columnist kaanza kwa kusema kuhusu Ritz Carlton na Four seasons taste from the get-go ya taarifa...D-League sio kuzimu kaka, kaza buti tu..

ma 4 Seasons, Ritz yapo na screen kubwa for highlights zako kiwango husika kikifika, usijali negativity..
 
Hasheem, bado ni shujaa wetu

risasi mchanganyiko
pix.gif

​
Hatua ya uongozi wa timu ya mpira wa kikapu ya Memphis Grizzlies ya Marekani kutangaza kumshusha kutoka Ligi Kuu ya NBA mchezaji wake, staa kutoka Bongo, Hasheem Thabeet na kumpeleka ... kucheza kwenye ligi ndogo ya kuendeleza vipaji, Developmental League kutokana na kutoridhishwa na kiwango chake hakijawashangaza Watanzania wengi ambao bado wana imani kubwa kwa staa huyo mwenye asili ya Kichagga.

Uchunguzi wa gazeti hili umebaini kuwa mashabiki wengi wa mchezo wa kikapu Bongo wameonyesha kumpigia saluti kijana huyo na kusema kuwa licha ya kilichompata lakini bado ni shujaa wa taifa hili hasa baada ya kufika kiwango ambacho hakijawahi kufikiwa na mchezaji yeyote wa game hiyo kutoka Afrika Mashariki.

Wakati minong’ono ya kushushwa katika Ligi ya NBA ikiendelea, Hasheem amedhihirisha ubora wake wiki hii baada ya kufanikiwa kufunga pointi 19 na kuokoa ‘ribaundi’ 16 kwenye mchezo wake wa pili wa ligi hiyo uliochezwa mwishoni mwa wiki iliyopita.
Timu ya The Memphis Grizzlies ambayo awali Thabeet alikuwa anaitumikia iliamua kumteresha mchezaji huyo hadi kwenye ligi za chini kwa madai ya kushuka kwa kiwango chake jambo ambalo Mtanzania huyo ameweza kulitetea kutokana na uwezo wa juu aliyouonyesha hivi karibuni tangu ajiunge na Development League.

Tangu alipojiunge na NBA mwaka jana Hasheem amefanikiwa kugonga jumla ya game 50 na kujipatia pointi 40.3 baada ya kupiga ‘ribaundi’ 2.9 kabla hajashushwa katika kikosi cha kwanza cha timu ya Memphis.

Ingawa timu yake haijaweka wazi tarehe ya kumrudisha kwenye Ligi ya NBA Hasheem ameahidi kuwa atarejea hivi karibuni kutokana na ufanisi mkubwa anaoendelea kuuonyesha hivi sasa kwenye ligi hiyo ndogo.

“Ki ukweli Hasheem bado yupo juu kwenye mchezo wa kikapu, tunaamini atarejea haraka NBA na sisi kama mashabiki wa mchezo huo tutaendelea kumuombea kama shujaa wa taifa letu” alisema Abubakar Mussa wa Temeke, Dar es Salaam.

Sisi kama wadau wa michezo na burudani, tunaungana na Wabongo wengine kumuombea Hasheem ili afanikiwe kurudi kwenye Ligi hiyo ya NBA na aendelee kuipeperusha bendera yetu vema. Imeandikwa na Hemed Kisanda
 
To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.
“This is my job,” Thabeet said. “I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do – my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them.
“I’m excited and I can’t wait to go back up there
Click to expand...
all the Best Kijana
 



The plush surroundings of all those Ritz Carltons and Four Seasons have disappeared. These days, Hasheem Thabeet(notes) rests his head in a two-star motel in chilly Bismarck, N.D. Gone, too, are the charter flights and all the legroom they afforded.
Eight months ago Thabeet was celebrating his selection as the second overall pick of the NBA draft. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA’s Development League. That’s not to say Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday’s game to $2.


q.gif
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1267650240.jpg
Hasheem Thabeet (center) is the highest NBA draft pick to ever play in the D-League.
(NBAE/ Getty Images)

For Thabeet, the D-League is home, at least for a little bit, and he’s determined to make the best of it.
People in the NBA are “definitely looking at it negatively,” Thabeet said. “ ‘He’s the No. 2 pick. He’s not supposed to be there. I can’t believe that guy is over there and he’s the second pick.’ But you got to go and work your way up there. I’m working my way up here, working on my confidence.
“When the time comes, I’ll be able to answer the call.”
The Memphis Grizzlies decided they couldn’t pass on Thabeet’s potential to become a shot-blocking giant when they drafted the 7-foot-3 center. A second-team All-America from the University of Connecticut, Thabeet drew comparisons to former NBA defensive great Dikembe Mutombo(notes). In doing so, however, the Grizzlies passed on more NBA-ready prospects like Tyreke Evans(notes), James Harden(notes), Jonny Flynn(notes) and Stephen Curry(notes).
Thabeet’s high draft selection earned him a $4.5 million salary for his rookie season, and he admits to feeling immense pressure to succeed immediately. His contributions, however, were much more modest: Before being sent to Dakota, he was averaging 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two fouls in 10.3 minutes per game. He’s struggled to adjust to the quicker pace of the NBA and his offensive skills still need considerable refining.
“People are expecting a lot from you,” Thabeet said. “Your teammates back from high school and college. Your college coaches, everyone that knows you. They’re all expecting a lot from me. That’s a lot of pressure. But now I have to look at it as motivation to work even harder. They sent me out here. I got to show them, ‘OK, this is not where I belong.’ I just have to keep working hard and my time will come.
“I put myself into this situation. Now I got to deal with it.”
Thabeet’s rookie season reached a low point when he recently lost his place in the rotation to second-year center Hamed Haddadi(notes). Thabeet’s confidence needed a boost, and for that, he needed minutes. So the Grizzlies decided to send him to the D-League for six games. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said Haddadi benefited from his stay in the D-League last season, and the hope is that Thabeet will do the same.
“We’re looking to give Thabeet playing time and experience,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We’re looking for development.”
In Dakota, Thabeet is playing for the league’s smallest-market team in a city with frigid temperatures and a black population of .28 percent. After playing two games in Fort Wayne, Ind., the Wizards flew to Detroit and then to Minneapolis on commercial planes before finally reaching Bismarck. Not quite the posh non-stop charter flights Thabeet was accustomed to taking with the Grizzlies. If Thabeet gets bored, he has the Kirkwood Shopping Mall and Dakota Zoo nearby to hang out.
“It’s pretty cool, but there is not much really to do,” Thabeet said. “I’m just focused on what brought me here. I’m on a mission and I want to show people what I’ve been working on.”
Thabeet’s arrival has generated some interest in Bismarck.
About 20 media members showed up for his introductory news conference. Ryan Carlson, the Wizards’ director of group sales and media relations, had 40 ticket requests from friends for Thabeet’s home debut, which drew a crowd of 2,544, about twice as large as normal. Thabeet didn’t disappoint, totaling 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 109-81 win over Albuquerque. Afterward, he was greeted by several fans waiting in line for his autograph. Through three D-League games, Thabeet has averaged 15 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 68 percent.
Dakota coach Rory White said Thabeet remains a “work in progress.” “Right now, it’s all about getting him some confidence, and the only way to do that is to get him some minutes in a real game,” White said.
Thabeet hasn’t grumbled about his D-League assignment. Born in Tanzania, he hasn’t forgotten that he began playing organized basketball just seven years ago. It’s not too long ago that he was emailing coaches and schools, begging for an opportunity to play in the United States.
To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.
“This is my job,” Thabeet said. “I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do – my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them.
“I’m excited and I can’t wait to go back up there.”
 
Kwa wale wafuatiliaji wa EPL, vipi kuna majeruhi yoyote katika top 4 baada ya mechi za kimataifa za jana? Tujuzane tafadhali, this is a very crucial period, kila timu inahitaji wachezaji wake wote wawe fit.
 
Mbonea, before i said to my self the guy needs more courage and brain to play in NB, people need to know NBA is not a joke, needs a lots of skills, needs mind calming and hard working, ile sio RBA that even if you don't work hard, practice hard, pull your mussles lakini kwenye game utapangwa, there people are serious, they are paying you good money for positive output, make the team win and not with those shamefull records of 2.5 and 2.9, they cant accept that. i know the guy, we used to play together at Kijitonyama Udsm hostel, he need to leave all childish stuffs behind and start the moto, he must has got moto goals to shine, me actually i believe in him, he can do that, he must work hard to prove himself that he can play the game
 
Mbonea, uwe unaandika kwanza umetoa wapi hiyo makala. Wape YAHOO haki yao.

Nimeisoma hiyo makala kwa majonzi sana utafikiri ndiyo kwanza nimeiona leo. Baada ya kusoma kwa upande fulani nakubaliana na huyu Homeboy wangu wa Kinyamwezi.

Mara baada ya Thebeet kuchaguliwa, hakuwa anafahamika sana na tulikuwa tukimuongelea kwa nadra kuwa anaweza kuwa Mtanzania wa kwanza kucheza NBA. Hiyo ndoto yetu akaitimiza na akawa kweli mchezaji wa NBA. Kilichotokea hapo kwa kweli ilikuwa ni kama Obama kupewa Nobel Price kabla hata hajaanza kazi.
Nakubaliana na yeye kuwa PRESSURE kubwa sana ilikuwa karibu yake na hakupata muda akae chini na kuanza kujipanga vizuri na kazi mpya aliyopewa. Kila siku akawa anatakiwa aonekane sehemu akiwa kavaa suti na apige picha na watu kibao waliokuwa wakitaka kujipandisha chat kwa kusimama na mchezaji wa NBA.

Najiuliza sasa nini kitatokea kama Thabeet akija Tanzania. Kuna watu watataka kweli kwenda kusimama au hata kuongea naye? Bungeni watasimamisha kazi zao na kuanza kumuongelea yeye? Ubalozi wa USA hapo Tanzania watamkaribisha yeye na familia yake? Magogoni watamuita tena awatembelee?

Thabeet, kumbuka kuwa ulikuwa ni kama MUWA. Ukishaishiwa utamu na maji, wanakutema na kukukanyaga na kusema wazi kabisa "kafie mbali". Hii chukulia kama fundisho. Jipange na ujiweke vizuri na kama ukirudi NBA, usikubali hawa WANASIASA wakakutumia. Wewe endelea na mazoezi yako na kunyenyua chuma. Nafikiri ulijisahau juu ya jambo moja kuwa "Kuingia NBA ni kazi ngumu ngumu ila kubaki NBA ni KAZI NGUMU SAAAAANA".

Kila la kheri.

http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/sn/gal-sn/hartley-gal/Hartley-photo-070425.html

http://bongocelebrity.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/michu9.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_stxylFr6jLM/Sova7HwlbcI/AAAAAAAAfhU/fu30YiJ5Ycg/s400/8D6U1611.JPG

http://spotistarehe.wordpress.com/2...rekani-wamkaribisha-hasheem-thabeet-nyumbani/
 
habari za uhakika zinasema kua hasheem thabeet mtanzania aliyechaguliwa kucheza nba kwenye timu ya memphis grizzlers ameshindwa kutamba katika msimu wake wa kwanza kufikia hatua ya kupelekwa akajinoe mchangani labda akirudi katika kiwango atarudishwa nba, cha kusikitisha kwa sasa anacheza timu ya sokoni huko dakota!
thabeet alikuwa 2nd draft chaguo kwenda nba kutoka college basketball league, nadhani tunakumbuka jinsi alivyokuja apa bongo with his chest held high na tv interview kibao, club za usiku ndio usiseme!

je wana jf ndio thabeet ameonesha tabia ya watanzania kwa kulewa sifa kwa mafanikio kidogo au ni mpito tu?
 
bona said:
habari za uhakika zinasema kua hasheem thabeet mtanzania aliyechaguliwa kucheza nba kwenye timu ya memphis grizzlers ameshindwa kutamba katika msimu wake wa kwanza kufikia hatua ya kupelekwa akajinoe mchangani labda akirudi katika kiwango atarudishwa nba, cha kusikitisha kwa sasa anacheza timu ya sokoni huko dakota!
thabeet alikuwa 2nd draft chaguo kwenda nba kutoka college basketball league, nadhani tunakumbuka jinsi alivyokuja apa bongo with his chest held high na tv interview kibao, club za usiku ndio usiseme!

je wana jf ndio thabeet ameonesha tabia ya watanzania kwa kulewa sifa kwa mafanikio kidogo au ni mpito tu?
Click to expand...

Mapema kuyasema hayo. Tusubiri details zaidi, lakini na wewe ungetupatia source ya habari hizi.
 
That is just a life cycle, kama uchumi wenyewe una panda na kushuka itakuwa Binadam, Kabla ya kuanza kushangilia kushuka kwake jiulize mambo mangapi umevurunda?
 
Nyani Ngabu said:
The plush surroundings of all those Ritz Carltons and Four Seasons have disappeared. These days, Hasheem Thabeet(notes) rests his head in a two-star motel in chilly Bismarck, N.D. Gone, too, are the charter flights and all the legroom they afforded.


Eight months ago Thabeet was celebrating his selection as the second overall pick of the NBA draft. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA’s Development League. That’s not to say



Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday’s game to $2.
For Thabeet, the D-League is home, at least for a little bit, and he’s determined to make the best of it.People in the NBA are “definitely looking at it negatively,” Thabeet said. “ ‘He’s the No. 2 pick. He’s not supposed to be there. I can’t believe that guy is over there and he’s the second pick.’ But you got to go and work your way up there. I’m working my way up here, working on my confidence.

“When the time comes, I’ll be able to answer the call.”


The Memphis Grizzlies decided they couldn’t pass on Thabeet’s potential to become a shot-blocking giant when they drafted the 7-foot-3 center. A second-team All-America from the University of Connecticut, Thabeet drew comparisons to former NBA defensive great Dikembe Mutombo(notes).



In doing so, however, the Grizzlies passed on more NBA-ready prospects like Tyreke Evans(notes), James Harden(notes), Jonny Flynn(notes) and Stephen Curry(notes).


Thabeet’s high draft selection earned him a $4.5 million salary for his rookie season, and he admits to feeling immense pressure to succeed immediately. His contributions, however, were much more modest:



Before being sent to Dakota, he was averaging 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two fouls in 10.3 minutes per game. He’s struggled to adjust to the quicker pace of the NBA and his offensive skills still need considerable refining.


“People are expecting a lot from you,” Thabeet said. “Your teammates back from high school and college. Your college coaches, everyone that knows you. They’re all expecting a lot from me. That’s a lot of pressure.



But now I have to look at it as motivation to work even harder. They sent me out here. I got to show them, ‘OK, this is not where I belong.’ I just have to keep working hard and my time will come.
“I put myself into this situation. Now I got to deal with it.”


Thabeet’s rookie season reached a low point when he recently lost his place in the rotation to second-year center Hamed Haddadi(notes). Thabeet’s confidence needed a boost, and for that, he needed minutes.



So the Grizzlies decided to send him to the D-League for six games. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said Haddadi benefited from his stay in the D-League last season, and the hope is that Thabeet will do the same.
“We’re looking to give Thabeet playing time and experience,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We’re looking for development.”


In Dakota, Thabeet is playing for the league’s smallest-market team in a city with frigid temperatures and a black population of .28 percent. After playing two games in Fort Wayne, Ind., the Wizards flew to Detroit and then to Minneapolis on commercial planes before finally reaching Bismarck. Not quite the posh non-stop charter flights Thabeet was accustomed to taking with the Grizzlies. If Thabeet gets bored, he has the Kirkwood Shopping Mall and Dakota Zoo nearby to hang out.
“It’s pretty cool, but there is not much really to do,” Thabeet said. “I’m just focused on what brought me here. I’m on a mission and I want to show people what I’ve been working on.”


Thabeet’s arrival has generated some interest in Bismarck.
About 20 media members showed up for his introductory news conference. Ryan Carlson, the Wizards’ director of group sales and media relations, had 40 ticket requests from friends for Thabeet’s home debut, which drew a crowd of 2,544, about twice as large as normal. Thabeet didn’t disappoint, totaling 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 109-81 win over Albuquerque.



Afterward, he was greeted by several fans waiting in line for his autograph. Through three D-League games, Thabeet has averaged 15 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 68 percent.
Dakota coach Rory White said Thabeet remains a “work in progress.” “Right now, it’s all about getting him some confidence, and the only way to do that is to get him some minutes in a real game,” White said.


Thabeet hasn’t grumbled about his D-League assignment. Born in Tanzania, he hasn’t forgotten that he began playing organized basketball just seven years ago. It’s not too long ago that he was emailing coaches and schools, begging for an opportunity to play in the United States.


To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.
“This is my job,” Thabeet said. “I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do – my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them.
“I’m excited and I can’t wait to go back up there.”

From Yahoo sports
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What is your take Nyani?
 
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