Armed with the No. 2 pick, the Grizzlies didn't get the trade possibilities they wanted. So as figured, they finally got the big, shot-swatting center they've wanted ever since the team moved to Memphis.
They didn't hesitate in drafting UConn's Hasheem Thabeet, two-time Big East Conference defensive player of the year, a 7-3 roadblock that will toughen the soft middle of the Grizzlies' defense immediately. "We kept coming back to the fact of where are you going to find a 7-3, shot-blocking center?" Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
It didn't matter to coach Lionel Hollins that the Grizzlies just got a solid rookie season from center Marc Gasol. Hollins felt Thabeet's strength as a defender -- though his offense needs a lot of work -- was too good to pass up.
"He can be a force," Hollins said. "He can be more than just a big guy. We just felt this guy could make the biggest impact for 10, 12, 15 years. You have to have an anchor to be a decent defensive team."
While other draft possibilities like Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio thumbed their noses at the Grizzlies, Thabeet welcomed the chance to play in Memphis. He cleared up that misconception on draft night.
He explained that his student visa was set to expire and a previously scheduled appointment to deal with the situation forced the cancellation of his Memphis workout.
"I had to get that squared away before I got deported and missed (the draft)," Thabeet said. "The appointment was set before Memphis wanted me to work out."
The Grizzlies further toughened their inside game with their other two draft choices, picking at No. 27 in the first round Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll, a 6-7 battler who has the nickname "Junkyard Dog" and chose Pittsburgh small forward Sam Young in the second round with the 36th pick.
And since the Grizzlies also need outside shooting, they made a draft night trade with Knicks, sending center Darko Milicic to the Big Apple in exchange for guard Quentin Richardson and cash considerations.
