Just a couple of weeks ago, he started his career as an NBA player. But before long, he broke his jaw in an incident involving him and his teammate, Zach Randolph. He actually suffered a ridgeline fracture in his mandible- a bone in his lower jaw.
Since the incident, his fans and well wishers have been praying for his quick recovery while his critics have also used the same opportunity to nail him down or try to elevate him. It just depends on how one looks at criticism.
I recently caught up with him, whereby, he took time to talk about his health and also to answer some of what his critics have been saying. Here is how my mini-interview with him went down…
BC: A lot of your fans and supporters have been worried about you since the jaw-breaking incident. Can you briefly tell me and of course…your fans how are you doing now and whether you are back in training and all that?
Hasheem Thabeet: Niko powa kabisa… I’m doing great. I have been back to work/practice since Monday and I am looking forward to play tonight when we play against L.A Clippers. I am a tough kid and don’t like to sit on a bench. I wouldn’t miss a game if it was my choice. But this is a professional level and coaches go with what they have been having or players that have been there before me. For now I am an additional and don’t mind playing that role.
BC: Some critics have been saying that you are not or were not ready for NBA and all that. I am sure you have heard such comments and criticism. What is your reaction?
Hasheem Thabeet: I know people have been talking and saying that I am not ready and or I should not have been drafted by Memphis and therefore suggesting I should have joined another team where there are more veterans so as to learn more and stuff. My answer to them is that; that is not or can’t work for everybody. If you may recall, Memphis Grizzlies drafted Pau Gasol. He was young and almost by himself. But eventually he ended where he is now…with a ring (Lakers).
I look at the situation differently. They drafted me for a lot of different reasons such as potential, progress, presence and production. That is what pushes to me to go out there and learn and strive to be better every day. There is a good reason they pay me $4 M per year.
So while I thank everybody for their advises, comments and criticism and try to understand those who keep doubting me or just hating for no well founded reasons, I wish to inform everyone that I am definitely making a progress and that is why I am able to survive the everyday’s routines of practices and the league itself.
BC: Thank you very much Hasheem. Wish you all the best.
Hasheem Thabeet: Thanks Jeff
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25 Responses to “HASHEEM THABEET:I AM DOING GREAT!”
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Hi Hasheem,
This is Muddy from DSM Tanzania, myself am on your side star, and always kwenye mafanikio fitna huwa hazikai mbali yaani sio Bongo tu hiyo ni principal ya maisha ya binadamu hususan wale ambao hawapendi kuwaona wenzao wakiendelea. Yaani binadamu ni wa ajabu sana, yaani ikitokea Hasheem akiikosa hiyo nafasi sio kwamba wao ndio wataipata na kuzipata hizo pesa la hasha, basi ilimradi wote wakose pesa wabaki kuwa maskini, wanashindwa jua mmoja akifanikiwa atatengeneza ajira kwa wengine.
Hasheem keep it up guy, sisi wengi mno tuko nyuma yako na tunakutakia mafanikio mema ktk mchezo wako, Inshah Allah mambo yatakaa sawa na wote wanokudiss wataona aibu.
Muddy Nice,
DSM-Tanzania
I real wish Hasheem all the best, all I’m telling hime is to take those criticism as challenge, all he has to do is to show them that he can more than they think.
With this spirit, I hope he will get where he needs to be.
All the best bro, and represent TZ for real..
I am so happy you are back kaka. Nakutakia mafanikio, uwanyamazishe haters.
Pole sana Hasheem na uwe na afya njema ili uweze kufanya vema na kudumisha malengo yako huko ughaibuni.Warm and many salaams from bongoland.”PAMOJA WE CAN”
THANK YOU SANA!
sana tu mzee wa outsider kamua bila kuuliza then haiters will automaticaly love you homie!adios
Hi! Hope Hashhem should understand that always life goes ups and down, so far as he stated that he is okay, Am just wish him all the best.
Gift Shine.
Hasheem,m’mungu atasimama na wewe na inshallah watanzania wenye maendeleo wako pamoja na wewe bro,keep going bro. tunajisifu nje ya nchi kuwa nasi tunajulikan ktk fani za michezo.M’mungu atakuvua hilo na jingine bro,
keep it up kaka achana na watu.
Hasheem,
Tunakushangilia sisi hapa Canada na tunaomba kwa mungu that you show the whole NBA that TZ got game.
We are proud of you big man.
Hongera hashim..Ila sielewi kwa nini hupangwi kucheza ? hata kabla hujaumia namba yako haiitwi..Ukiangalia wale waliokuwa drafted chini yako wanapata namba na wanafanya vizuri tu.. sasa wewe vipi? au hukutakiwa uwe hapo juu?
mtoto analamba billion tano kwa mwaka za
ki-tanzania, I MEAN PESA YA MADAFU
BILLIONI TANO ZA MADAFU SI MCHEZO
Do whatchyu gotta do dude….
Keep it up, God will be with you.
every success God is there, always we need the full package including understanding
Hasheem mdogo wangu nadhani wanaokuponda na kutaka kuona unashindwa wanakutakia mema unajua kwa nini? kwa sababu hao ndio wanatakaokufanya uongezee juhudi zaidi kuzishinda hila zao. Mdodo wangu kaza buti kama ulionekana na ukachukuliwa kwenye timu there is no turning back. Inshallah mungu ataendelea kukutangulia na kukupa nguvu na sisi wote tuko pamoja na wewe katika kila hatua unayopiga. Nina uhakika utafika mbali sana hata hao kina Jordan walianzia huko. Don’t worry boy you will make it Inshallah.
yuko jamaa mmoja anaitwa Julius aka Nyani Ngabu ana hate sana maendeleo mmjomba
Hasheem,
keep going man. what people doesnt know they should learn, and here is the lesson ”when the tough get going, the going get tough” playing in NBA!!! you are in tough and crazy world whereby only strong survives.
YOU Earn it Bro!!! all the best.
Cheers!
Hasheem, mimi ni mmoja wa watanzania wanaopenda kuona unafika mbali ki maisha, maneno yapo na watasema sana lakini jibu ni moja. your already there and there is no one will bring you down, just work hard to persue in everything you need and take their comments as a challenge. Hope you understand me. Am happy that your back in the game.Take care
mwana….kaza buti…wenye wivu wajinyonge..am sure they cant even b half way of where u r ryt now…so give dem a deaf ear n move on….u were born a STAR….shine on dem…
Yes Hasheem those criticism are the bridge to anable you to arrive to the success, take them as assistance towards the pick of your determinations. so long you know what you are suppose to do keep it up so as to make them shameful in comming days and apreciating for what you are doing.”no body can block RIZQ from GOD except himself”. Keep it up mzee,”your success iz our success”.
keep it up nigga….u ll never walk alone….
god bless tz bless Hasheem.
Hey ndugu Hasheem,
Hongera, hongera to make our dream come true.
You are the shinning star and role model that our kids can look up to into looking to play in the NBA.I followed your history and you havent given up in life.
Keep up the amazing work you are doing.
I wish you all the best of best.I am proud of you.Yopu have done something for others its not attainable.At least we can say one Tanzanian is in the NBA YOU THE MAN.
Peace and Love.
big up kaka hasheem you are the best pull your soxes we shall follow your habits, but how you reached there?
kaka Hasheem mungu akutangulie ktk kazi yako..ma haters washindwe kabisa na wajinyonge..good luck