I was thinking if Hakeem Olajuwon will be the last great player out of Africa, but then the name of Hasheem Thabeet came up to my mind. They are very similar in my opinion, especially if you compare that they both started playing basketball at the age of 15. Their names rhyme, so "the Dream" fits well to both. The only different I see is Hasheem is bigger 7'3 vs. 7'0, and Hasheem is Tanzanian but Hakeem is Nigerian. And meybe Hakeem was 1st pick but Hasheem 2nd pick, so not that much pressore on Hash.
If we compare their first year in the NBA it is quite obvious who started out quicker.
Hakeem Olajuwon started every game of the rookie season, averaging about 11.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steal, 2.7 blocks, 2.9 turnovers, 4.2 personal fouls and 20.6 points in
35.5 minutes, and .538 FG%.
Hasheem Thabeet started 13 games and performed in 64 games for Memphis in rookie season. He averaged about 3.6 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 2.4 personal fouls and 3.1 points in
13 minutes, and .588 FG%.
You can see that Hasheem played 22,5 minutes fewer per game than Hakeem. So if one multiplies Hasheem's stats by 2,73 you find his stats for every 35.5 minutes. You get 9.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 3.5 blocks, 6.5 personal fouls and 8.4 points in
35.5 minutes, and .588 FG%
Hasheem's stats can also be compared with slow starter, now MVP PG Steve Nash, who had worse stats than Hasheem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Done and Done
10.5 minutes, 1 rebound, 2.1 assists, 0.3 steals, 0 blocks and 3.1 points per game in rookie season on .423 FG%,
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So one may say that Hasheem is utter rubbish right now, but you can see by comparing his stats with Steve Nash that he might become one of the leagues elite in a couple of years time. And if you compare his multiplied number with Hakeems numbers you see that he isnt far off, and remember Hasheem "the Dream" was
2nd pick and Hakeem "the Dream" was
1st pick.

Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon.

Steve "the point-guard" Nash.
Hasheem ¿"the Dream"? Thabeet