The Grizzlies summer league squad got off to a good start Sunday night with an 86-57 demolition of the Oklahoma City Thunder summer team. The Grizzlies started four players certain to be on the team’s regular season roster — rookies Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, and Sam Young and rising second-year forward Darrell Arthur — and one with at least a puncher’s chance — free agent point guard Marcus Williams. The Thunder also countered with a roster that included at least seven probable NBA players, including the team’s likely starting backcourt next season — Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
You shouldn’t put too much stock in summer league, especially after only one game. But all info is good info, especially when trying to evaluate players that haven’t yet logged much NBA time.
My notes on the players that mattered:
Hasheem Thabeet: The number-two overall pick in last month’s draft showed up with a slick fro-hawk, but that was probably the only flashy part of his pro debut. In 20 minutes, Thabeet registered 9 points (all in the first half) on 3-4 shooting, only 2 rebounds (though that seemed like a low count watching the game), and 1 block. Thabeet clearly needs to add strength, particularly in his rather slender upper body, to be a significant NBA player. He was weak setting picks and struggled to maintain his ground and control the ball in the post against collapsing defense. That strength is not going to be gained quickly, which is why I’ll be surprised if Marc Gasol isn’t the significantly better option next season (if not beyond).
On the good side, Thabeet impressed with his mobility and quickness off the floor. This will help not just with contesting shots, but rebounding and scoring off putbacks and catch-and-dunk plays (where most of his points came in this game). In an on-air interview, Lionel Hollins stressed this as well, praising Thabeet’s mobility and ability to get to the rim and finish. Hollins said Thabeet would be used a lot in pick-and-rolls next season but wouldn’t be expected to do much in the post. I wouldn’t be too concerned about his meager block total: He was not being challenged very often, which is itself a strength.
