Haddadi still a work in progress
It’s a 
Kid plays soccer in a poor country, turns to basketball at 13, doesn’t even have shoes at the beginning, but ends up excelling to the point that he’s called to play pro ball in America.
That’s the story in brief of Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi, who became a trivia answer last season as the first Iranian ever to make it into the NBA.
One year and a half later, though, Haddadi has done little to be remembered for anything else.
Stuck behind All-Star Zach Randolph, double-double machine Marc Gasol and shot-blocking rookie Hasheem Thabeet, Haddadi’s playing time has actually gone down a notch this season – 4.8 mpg, 0.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg – compared to the last one, where he averaged 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 0.6 bpg on just 6.3 minutes per game.
“I’m not happy that I’m not playing,” Haddadi said. “But I’m happy that I’m in the NBA and winning games.”
That success, with the team no longer in the player development business and using a short rotation (no bench player averages more than 17 mpg in Memphis), probably isn’t helping Haddadi’s cause. Also hurting him early in his NBA career is the brutal transition he’s had to go through. Unlike most international prospects, Haddadi didn’t see much real competition before joining the league and is still playing the price for it.
“Everything goes so fast,” Haddadi said. “Here everybody can run, shoot and jump. In Iran, if you were good at one of those things, you were not good at the others. It’s difficult for me.”
While basketball is a booming sport in Iran, the domestic league is leaps and bounds behind what you’ll find in Europe, for example.
“The league was not very competitive at all,” said former Clipper Josh Moore, who played for a club called BEEM at the northeastern Iranian city of Babol. “A large majority of the players were casual fans at best and viewed the league as a glorified men’s league that was trying to go legit, so there was a big gap between the teams that were very bad and the ones that were competitive.”
A stint in Europe may have eased the transition for the likeable Haddadi, but he passed on playing there when given the chance. The 7-foot-2 center, whose English is as much a work in progress as his game, says he received an offer from Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade three years ago.
“They called me and said they wanted me for one year,” Haddadi. “But I answered no because I wanted to focus on the Olympic Games in Beijing and wanted to practice with the National Team. It worked well for me because I played pretty good at the Olympics and Memphis signed me.”
The Beijing outing indeed proved to be key for Haddadi’s NBA hopes. He led the Olympic tournament in rebounds and blocked shots and was able to display his skills in front of a large audience.
Moore, who played against him during his time in Iran, wasn’t surprised by Haddadi’s impressive performance.
“He has a great amount of natural skill and potential,” Moore said. “I would compare him to Dirk Nowitzki skill-wise, with enough heart to get dirty around the basket - which Dirk doesn’t have. He has great footwork and, for some reason, a natural feel for the game.”
NO BIG CELEB BACK HOME
For all the attention he commands in the U.S. even while not getting much playing time, Haddadi is far from a household name in Iran, a soccer-crazed country where the rest of sports don’t get nearly as much attention.
“In fact, I’m a bigger star here than I am in Iran,” said Haddadi. “There, it’s all about the football players. You see the TV or the newspaper and it’s all football. They know me, but I’m not on that level. And I’m cool with that.”
Haddadi, who has another guaranteed year left on his contract with Memphis, will have a chance to increase his profile back home next September when he plays at the World Championships in Turkey with Iran. In Beijing, the current Asian Champions went 0-5 and lost their games by an average margin of 28.1 points.
It might be a tall task, but the Iranian giant believes things will be different this time around.
“We have a good team,” Haddadi. “We have six or seven players that can play well. We share the ball and we know each other because we’ve played together six or seven years. We can make some noise.”
HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra » Haddadi still a work in … | Iran Today Said,
February 22, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
[...] Original post: HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra » Haddadi still a work in … [...]
oneal-sama Said,
February 22, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
I wish him the best; I’ve seen him play and he is a great talent ready to bloom. Just needs the chance.
*say no to thabeet*
1Commenter Said,
February 22, 2010 @ 11:41 pm
For the record, I know that you were quoting someone who made such a comparison, but still…
AkashInanc23 Said,
February 22, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
Haddadi = Nowitzki, skillwise? Are you joking? I watched almost every game in the Olympics including the ones Iran played. That is a horrible comparison. “Dirty” around the basket? Well given the fact that Haddadi is supposed to be a center, and Nowitzki is an oversized small forward masquerading as a power forward, I would hope Haddadi is “dirtier” in the paint. Most 4’s in the association are more inside out players now, Nowitzki being almost completely out. However, the 5’s have stayed closer to their traditional roles, (barring run and gun styles like the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks). I am by no means a Nowitzki fan. In fact, I wish he would play more a traditional 4. However, such a comparison made me fall out of my chair. Until I see Haddadi taking people off the dribble from 15 feet, shooting fadeaway midrange jumpers and nailing them like there is no tomorrow, hitting clutch 3’s, and leading his team to consistent playoff runs, I would hold off on the Nowitzki/Haddadi comparison. For the record, I know that you were merely quoting someone in your article, but still…
George Anderson Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 1:50 am
I give the Grizzlies management team a tremendous amount of credit to sign an international player to bolster there young nucleus. What I find most interesting, and most pleasing, is that the Grizzlies management put global politics aside and looked at the global scene to bring a player on from Iran. Although Hamed may not get much playing time yet, his presence on the Grizzlies gives hope for better international relations. Here is to wishing that the politicians took the same open, objective and pure approach to bringing peace to the world as the Grizzlies management team has managed to do on the basketball court with a winning product. Thanks hoops hype for sharing the article.
Max in Missouri Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 4:00 am
lol yeah you kind of lost it there at the end by including the Dirk comparison. I know you didn’t say it, but you are the one that put it in the article
mvb Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 8:06 am
George Anderson is spot-on. Haddadi could be a great bridge for our countries.
He’s a great player who will eventually become a nice bench-center for some team. I wish he could get more minutes in Memphis. He’s got a good attitude about playing for a winning team and not getting playing time.
Haddadi Admits He's Struggling On NBA Level - NBA Core Forums - Discussion & News Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 10:52 am
[...] He clearly doesn’t have fantasy value, and the jury is out on his future in the league. HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra Haddadi still a work in progress [...]
Brian Boitono Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 11:42 am
Cmon guys. I hate to be negative but he can’t play at this level and even the Griz know it. He will be out of the league as early as after this year, as late as the end of next when his contract runs out. Sorry.
Sinan Cem Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
@ Brian Boitono
How many more careers like Jermaine O’neals, Zach Randolphs you need to see to understand what potential means. Basketball is on the court not on the statistic paper. When a coach doesnt gives chance thats not means he s a bad player. With your logic one of the top 5 big men in the game before injury Jermaine O’neal supposed to be out of the league.
DS Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
@Brian Boitono even if he doesd end up being a bust it’s not liek he is comparable to the likes of Kwame Brown and Darko Milcic.
James Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
After watching the first half of the Grizzlies-Nets game Sunday, I don’t know why the Grizzlies coaching staff hasn’t deactivated Thabeet or sent him to the D-League and given his minutes to Haddadi. He isn’t great, but even as raw as he is, he has a better basketball IQ and more skill than Thabeet does. The few minutes he played Sunday, he hustled, passed well, and got rebounds. He couldn’t handle Brook Lopez, but neither could anyone else. The staff needs to go with the better player instead of trying to justify their horrible draft decision.
Max in Missouri Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 5:29 pm
Sinan Cem,
Jermaine O’Neal always showed much, much more potential than Haddadi. Plus, let’s not forget JO was coming straight out of high school and was 18 yrs old and bone skinny. Haddadi is a full grown, large man who has been playing professional basketball for a long time. His situation is not even remotely comparable to that of Jermaine O’Neal
Neliz Favidad Said,
February 24, 2010 @ 12:58 am
The backup centers in the above mentioned article have unique names.
Brian Boitono Said,
February 24, 2010 @ 3:17 am
@ Ds - never said he was a bust. in order for him to be a bust someone (outside of his small group of supporters) would need to have had high expectations for him.
@ Sinan Cem- I kind of understand your Jermaine O’neal reference but since Max in Missouri covered that… Zach Randolph was a contributor to portland since Day 1. As a 19y/o he got more run in the first half of his rookie year then Haddadi (5 years older) will in his first 2 seasons
General Larry Platt Said,
February 25, 2010 @ 2:54 am
8pts/8rbs/1blk (should’ve been 2) against the Wizz tonight.. Playing before their #2 pick, Thabeet.. Haha @ whoever said he doesn’t belong
ISRW Said,
February 25, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Right now both Thabeet and Haddadi would need to get their fouling under control in order to see more floor time. Haddadi’s actually worst in the league; per 36 minutes, he’s committing 9.9 fouls. Thabeet, too, would more than foul out in a starter’s minutes.
They’re both stuck behind Marc Gasol’s extremely efficient offensive play, so they’re going to need to patch up that problem in order to earn time.
ISRW Said,
February 25, 2010 @ 9:34 am
And incidentally, could we stop referring to Jermaine O’Neal as our example of how bigs develop? He was a H.S. pick, and he was buried on a Portland team loaded with talent at the time. There’s not much evidence other than accepted wisdom to even say “bigs” develop slower than, say, point guards, but the second they come up somehow Jermaine O’Neal’s name is like a talisman.
Yurgus Said,
February 25, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Hey, James, Coach Hollins must have listened to your excellent advice. Against the Wizards, Haddadi was moved into the rotation over Thabeet and Arthur and responded with 8 points and 8 boards in 15 minutes. The guy plays with a lot of energy and contests shots. Maybe he’ll be able to get his minutes up on a regular basis.
I think that Hollins has done a great job of turning a group of “individual” players, such as Mayo, Gay, and Randolph, into a focused team. Gasol is doing a great job of equalizing that trade for his brother with L.A. - he’s an extraordinarily efficient, smart player and a pure center.
Hollins for Coach of the Year and go Grizz!
Federico Said,
February 25, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Haddadi could be a good backup center in the NBA. Comparison between Jermaine O’Neal and Haddadi is not possible. But you gotta say something: Haddadi started playing basketball when he was 13, not in a great basketball country. The NBA experience is the very first one at a good level. He could still develop: he’s 24, right now he’s far better than the last year. Who knows in a couple of years…not a Hall of Famer for sure, but maybe a good rotation player…
Richard Said,
February 27, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
Grizzlies are retarded ,, Im the biggest NBA fan EVER and how can Memphis choose the development of haddidi over thabeet , how can thabeet the number 2 pick get sent to the devolopment league and the unathletic older haddidi gets to stay in the nba ,,,, I have nothing else to say about this .
Get ready for me to comment on everything contraversal on this site
roy Said,
March 1, 2010 @ 12:37 am
why should you start your article by insulting other country as poor and the player as having no shoes, you are a selfish impolite writer those shit came out of your head is garbege article, the next time you write an article you dont have to insult others. how does it feel when you get insulted.
Brian Boitono Said,
March 1, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Roy… You should be ashamed of yourself. your mother should be ashamed of you… You should wear a muzzle and not be let near a computer.
The author stated facts, the player was poor, he was without shoes.
Now you have been insulted
strap your helmet on before you hurt yourself
Jhonnny Jhakke Harmaledeegington Said,
March 2, 2010 @ 8:05 am
@ roy thabeet will improve in nbdl .. @ brian do you know kofi kingston beacouse you sound like A wrestller no offense ….and more defense ..
A. Bynum + Luke Walt Disney 20 1st. rnd picks for Lebron james and 400 pairs of shoes!!!!!!!!!!!! byron scott 2 LAKERZ ass. coach
Richard Said,
March 4, 2010 @ 10:12 am
Thabeet is from africa , don’t talk about haddadi being poor , just shutupp .