Mistakes happen. We sleep in a little too late or we forget to do a project. But for us, mistakes are simply, just that – mistakes. For the thirty NBA teams, mistakes cost them, potentially, tens of millions of dollars, a playoff appearance, or even a championship. They have been riddled throughout history. It can be draft picks (Blazers fans know what this is like), it can be free agency (can I get an amen from Knicks fans?), or it can be virtually anything else (in the case of the Kings, EVERYTHING ELSE). Thus, we present the worst mistakes from each NBA team over the past ten years.
The Memphis Grizzlies Biggest Mistake in the Past Ten Years
The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA in recent years. They are one of three teams to make the playoffs every year for the past six seasons – the others being the Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs. They have thrived with the core of Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol. Due to the Grizzlies’ steady success, fans often forget about Memphis’ mistakes prior to establishing their core.
The 2009 NBA Draft
Before the Grizzlies’ six-year stretch of playoff runs, they were a bottom-feeding team. They picked top-five in the 2007, 2008, and 2009 drafts. Heading into the 2009 draft, they were desperate for more size. They finished the 2007-08 season 30th in rebounding. Their only big men under contract were Marc Gasol, who was coming off an impressive rookie season, and Darrell Arthur. On the other hand, Memphis believed they were set for the next decade on the wing. Rudy Gay had come off a 19 point-per-game season, and O.J. Mayo had an incredible rookie season, also scoring close to 19 points per game.
The 2009 draft featured University of Oklahoma star Blake Griffin, who was sure to go first overall. After him, the draft board was cloudy. UConn center Hasheem Thabeet was dominant in college, and most mock drafts had him going second overall to Memphis. Current NBA stars James Harden, Stephen Curry, and DeMar DeRozan were also some of the best prospects in the draft.
The Mistake
The Clippers took Griffin first overall, which everyone anticipated. The Grizzlies then made the mistake that could’ve set them back in their rebuilding process. They selected Thabeet second overall.
In terms of fit, the pick made sense at the time. Memphis desperately needed another big man who could rebound and protect the paint — they did not anticipate Marc Gasol becoming the player he is today. Thabeet fit the need. He was 7’ 3”, and averaged 3.5 blocks per game in his junior season of college. His scouting report strengths were defense, athleticism, and mid-range shot. However, this was a classic case of drafting for need instead of best player available.
When a team has a top-five pick, it often drafts the player who is most likely to become a star. Thabeet had too many weaknesses to be drafted so high. He lacked a post game, he didn’t have great hands, and he wasn’t strong enough to compete with other centers. He wasn’t NBA-ready by any means.
Additionally, he never drew comparisons to All-Star big men. NBADraft.net listed his best-case comparison as Dikembe Mutombo, but that was only if he turned all his weaknesses into strengths. DraftExpress listed Thabeet’s best-case scenario as Samuel Dalembert, and his worst-case scenario as DeSagana Diop. Neither of those players is worthy of a top-two pick.
Possible Alternatives
The Grizzlies had many alternatives. They could’ve drafted the best player available, who was James Harden at the time. Harden drew comparisons to Brandon Roy and Manu Ginobili. Many scouting reports praised his basketball IQ, shooting, and finishing. The only downside to Harden was his lack of aggressiveness, but he was only 19 years old. He seemed to be an NBA-ready prospect with the potential to be an All-Star if he worked on his few weaknesses. Imagine if the Grizzlies had Harden to go along with the rest of their grit-and-grind core.
The Consequences
Thabeet never panned out. He averaged just over two points and two rebounds in ten minutes in 113 career games for the Grizzlies. When he played for them, he provided nothing. The UConn star never worked on his weaknesses. Today he is thought of as one of the biggest draft busts of all time. The most value Thabeet ever provided to the Grizzlies was when they traded him for Shane Battier in 2011.
This move could’ve set the Grizzlies back by a few years, but they achieved success by trading for Zach Randolph and developing young players such as Mike Conley and Marc Gasol into stars. Despite their recent success, the Grizzlies fans and front office are still kicking themselves when they think about whom else they could’ve selected.
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