LAS VEGAS -- Before his first NBA game, Memphis center Hasheem Thabeet wanted a modest haircut before hitting the floor at Cox Pavilion. The result was a rather disturbing looking Fro-Hawk and Thabeet was relegated to playing with the landing-strip hairstyle during the Grizzlies' 86-57 win over Oklahoma City.Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 center, finished with nine points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. He made three of four shots and picked up a blocked shot and steal.
"Today, after I got my ankle taped, the barber was there and I was like 'Can I get a cut too?' and I just wanted a little trim and I got up, went to look at myself in the mirror and I had this," he said. "I didn't have time to go get it fixed. So I had to come [play], so I guess it's a rookie thing. I am OK. I will go get it fixed."
Of course, regardless if Thabeet rocks an Afro, Mohawk, cornrows or a mullet, the Grizzlies are tabbing him as their franchise center. He is far more advanced defensively than offensively, so his immediate impact will be rebounding and blocking shots.
"[The first experience] was good, with the first time with that group and we had to play together and stay together," he said. "A lot of people are expecting a lot from me and to be honest, I haven't played basketball for that long but I am making some good progress. I want to do better and make my teammates better. There are the first few days and I am going to get better."
Former Pitt standout Sam Young led Memphis with 14 points in 21 minutes while ex-UConn guard Marcus Williams set a summer league record with 17 assists in 29 minutes.
