- The Thabeet pick: Plenty of blame to go around.
The Grizzlies host the Charlotte Bobcats tonight at FedExForum. Currently only 3.5 games out of the Western Conference’s final playoff seed despite a five-game home losing streak, tonight’s game provides a good chance for the Grizzlies to end that streak against a Bobcats team that’s 7-22 on the road.
But the story of the day for the Grizzlies isn’t tonight’s game or even the team’s weakening grasp on the playoff race. It’s the assignment of #2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet to the NBA Developmental League’s Dakota Wizards, with whom he’s scheduled to play tonight.
This latest turn in what has been a disappointing rookie season for Thabeet has spurred another look at how the team came to draft Thabeet. (A pick that, it should be noted, was fairly widely questioned locally but not particularly denigrated around the country, with the Grizzlies getting pretty good “draft grades” from most national sites.)
The media narrative that has emerged around the pick goes something like this: That General Manager Chris Wallace preferred Tyreke Evans at #2. Player Personnel Director Tony Barone Sr. favored Thabeet. Scouting Director Tony Barone Jr. was pushing Stephen Curry. And Assistant General Manager Kenny Williamson and Head Coach Lionel Hollins were either leaning Curry or not pushing hard for anyone in particular, depending on which account you believe.
