Playoff Pickup: Hasheem Thabeet
Usually 8 points and 8 boards is not something you’d get overly excited about — especially in the fantasy playoffs. But throw in 2.5 blocks per game, 11 percent ownership and plenty of minutes at the five in Memphis and you have rookie center Hasheem Thabeet with the best opportunity to produce of his young career.
Earlier in the season, Thabeet was stuck behind MIP Award candidate, Marc Gasol, at the five and thus had little opportunity for court time. Plus, when we would get minutes he would pickup quick fouls (6.7 fouls per 36 minutes) leading to short stints of court time. However, Coach Lionel Hollins decided to send him to the D-League on February 24th to get some playing time and maybe gain a bit of confidence.
And this renewed confidence couldn’t have come at a better time. The younger Gasol brother is out with a partially torn neck muscle and a cloudy timeline for a return to action. The results: Thabeet’s first four starts have been pretty successful and the Grizz have won three of four albeit against less than elite competition (CHI, GSW, SAC). In particular, Thabeet’s last game against the Kings was indicative of what we might be able to expect for as long as Gasol is out. In 30 minutes, Hasheem put up 8 points (4/5), 10 boards and 3 blocks.
If you can handle the terrible free throw shooting (low attempts), Thabeet should be a nice short-term pickup if you are looking for blocks and boards with low turnovers. If you are still looking for waiver-wire gems at this point in the season, then you are either knocking at the door or are a very dedicated fantasy manager. Regardless, congratulations and good luck.
