Hasheem Thabeet looked more like a baller than a bust in his second D-League game with the Dakota Wizards.

David Bell saw it coming.

When I asked him about how Hasheem Thabeet did in his D-League debut for Dakota at Erie last week, the point guard was happy with the Memphis rookie’s effort.

Even though Thabeet scored just eight points and had only one block, Bell took into consideration that the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft had just got off the plane hours before playing against the BayHawks.

Bell was certain Thabeet would be better in his next game.

19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks is better.

Much better.

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“I truthfully don’t listen to that. The team drafted me there. They saw what I have and that’s why they drafted me. Again, I’m out here getting better for myself and my team and that’s it,” – Hasheem Thabeet on hearing negative talk of him being the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and getting sent down to play in the D-League.

The Memphis Grizzlies sent down their 7-foot-3 rookie Hasheem Thabeet, to the D-League's Dakota Wizards.

One block.

Some would say that number should have read 11 or more, but Hasheem Thabeet was only credited for one block in his D-League debut Friday night for the Dakota Wizards against the Erie BayHawks at Tullio Arena in Erie. The Wizards won, 108-103.

Personally, I thought he got two, but he finished the game with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, two rebounds, two turnovers and four fouls in 17 minutes and 51 seconds of play.

The Memphis Grizzlies sent Thabeet down to the Wizards on Thursday and he played his first of scheduled six games with Dakota.

The second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Connecticut is scheduled to return to Memphis on March 8, Dakota coach Rory White said. The Grizzlies and Washington Wizards are Dakota’s NBA affiliates. An NBA team can send down first or second-year players up to three times a season.

Playing just 17 minutes and 51 seconds, Thabeet also had his shot blocked from behind by Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Danny Green, who at 6-foot-6 is much shorter than the 7-3 center.

Green was returning the favor as Thabeet blocked his shot within 25 seconds of him entering the game for the first time in the first quarter. An NBA affiliate for Erie, The Cavalier sent Green down to play for the BayHawks.

A rookie out of North Carolina, Green finished with a game-high 36 points Friday.

After the game, I interviewed Thabeet, who arrived in Erie hours before the 7 p.m. game.

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Seems like a mismatch. Hasheem Thabeet is 7-foot-3. Danny Green is 6-6.

So when Thabeet came off the bench in the first quarter for the Dakota Wizards and swatted Green’s shot out of bounds in his first 24 seconds of play, it wasn’t shocking.

Thabeet just smiled. Green was grinning, too, for the Erie BayHawks, but he had revenge on his mind.

“He caught me the first time,” Green said. “I forgot he was in the game for a second. I think I was in the post or something. I had a lay up and he just threw it out of bounds. I said, ‘alright, I got you neck time big dawg.’”

Thirty-nine seconds later, Green got him.

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Memphis rookie center Hasheem Thabeet (smiling) is probably not too happy in the D-League right now.

I was watching ESPN’s Around The Horn and the panel debated the idea of the Memphis Grizzlies sending down their 7-foot-3 rookie center, Hasheem Thabeet, to the Dakota Wizards.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Denver Post columnist Woody Paige made the most open statement by saying, “Oh I’m gearing up to watch the Erie BayHawks and Dakota Wizards” in a very sarcastic manner. Remember Thabeet was the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, but has been a bust up to this point.

Then on PTI (Pardon The Interruption), Michael Wilbon and guest Dan Le Batard talked about it.

Even more interesting.

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Darnell Jackson had his way inside, but was as winded as a sail boat Thursday night.

Danny Green’s first shot, a corner 3, sailed over the other side of the rim, but his lob pass to Cedric Jackson was as perfect as a 24oo SAT score.

In the end, the Cleveland Cavaliers forwards put in work and were instrumental in Erie’s 114-108 win against the Dakota Wizards tonight.

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Erik Daniels finally saw some playing time this weekend.

After not playing in the first three games for Memphis during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Erik Daniels got in the final two that included Sunday’s 76-75 win against the San Antonio Spurs. The Grizzlies finished 5-0.

Daniels played 12 minutes and 44 seconds. The Erie BayHawks forward scored three points on 1-of-2 shooting (made a 3-pointer) and added two rebounds and a steal.

Once again, first-round pick Hasheem Thabeet was plagued with foul trouble as he was in the previous game Saturday night for the Grizzlies so that opened the door for the former Kentucky standout to see some action.  In the consecutive video clips, Daniels, wearing No. 32, is shown getting a block and an assist against the Suns.

In addition, power forward Darrell Arthur didn’t play Sunday. After talking with Daniels Saturday afternoon, he seemed so frustrated with the situation so it’s good to see he finally got a chance to play. Now whether that leads to him playing in the NBA again, not sure, but he at least got a chance to make a small case for it this weekend.