Anthony Bennett

[Shack]

Draftexpress average measurement for top 30 rated PFs in their database, is 7'1 wingspan and 8'11 standing reach. A few sources seem to indicate Bennett is around 7'1 wingspan and 8'9 standing reach. If so Bennett is a few inches undersized in standing reach but average in wingspan, which makes sense when considering how his thickness helps his wingspan

7'1 wingspan and 8'9 standing reach is identical to Paul Millsap's measurements. If true some may say that to take "so the best we can get is Millsap", but that's just not true. Blake and Love have 8'9-8'10 standing reaches respectively and wingspans shorter than Millsap or Bennett, at around 6'11. The reason Millsap is not a star like Blake and Love isn't his standing reach. It's because his other talents aren't as good as theirs either. Millsap is also an average athlete at best and while having great skill, he's not as freakish as KLove in that area either, or maybe not even Blake. Yes his lack of reach hurts him but it's one piece among many in the puzzle when determining why he's not one of the best players in the NBA.

Depending on what's included in the definition a case can be made none of Love, Blake, Millsap or Bennett are undersized. They all have less length than the average PF but more strength. So what is the net of their strength/length? For Kevin Love I think it is certainly positive since he has the most strength and the highest standing reach of the group. If seeing him as a plus sized PF it starts to make sense how his upside has been this high with everything else he has going for him. I would call Millsap's either average or slightly undersized, with the 8'9 standing reach and less strength than Love or Blake IMO. Blake and Bennett are probably either average or above average in the net of length and strength.

Overall Bennett's size won't prevent him from being as good as Blake or Love. It's the other stuff. How will his bball IQ be, will he really turn into a great 3pt shooter, can he become a good post up threat, will attacking off the dribble be consistent, will he have the lateral mobility to stay with PFs, etc.?

 

[CosmoKramer]

Depending on what's included in the definition a case can be made none of Love, Blake, Millsap or Bennett are undersized. They all have less length than the average PF but more strength. So what is the net of their strength/length? For Kevin Love I think it is certainly positive. I would call Millsap's either average or slightly undersized. Blake and Bennett are probably either average or above average in the net of length and strength.

Um, what? We don't have to wonder about what's being included, height, weight, and length are the main components everyone uses for size. Strength doesn't factor into whether a player is undersized or not, that's an attribute like speed or agility.

I'm always amused at the lengths people go to try to discredit how important height is in the NBA when talking about AB.

 

[Nathan S]

If I'm not allowed to call him undersized, give me another adjective I can use for bigs who are unable to protect the rim or contest jump shots.

 

[chrisrich91]

All night people keep talking about how we "missed" on Bennett. People are stupid. Dude still projects to be awesome, and he's got very little pressure on him now. Kyrie, Dion, Bennett, Embiid/Parker/Wiggins...

Jesus. My attitude about this team was so bleak a few hours ago.

 

[Tornicade]

... I'm not sure if this is a troll but he is incredibly slow of foot on the defensive end. Like Rich said he consistently was torched trying to close out on players, it was painful to watch. You could see MB almost seize out after it happened each time. Not to mention he seems to have almost zero game sense on the defensive end. Couple low agility with low defensive sense and it isn't pretty. I'm not sure how you could have watched many games this season and think otherwise.

You mention how Dion "doesn't really struggle with his size, and AB can make up for it"

To be a top tier team you need to be dominant, not "just get by", or play "average defense" like you say AB can do (even though he has not shown that at all). You can get away with it here and there, but if you have multiple people playing from a disadvantage the odds stack against you.

Again, there is a reason every contending team is built this way. In the playoffs especially the difference in a game can be minute. Having 2 or 3 players that have to play against bigger, more agile players night after night starts to add up.

I think you are missing the overall point. I love Dion, you defend him well in your last paragraph. My point is to start both he and AB is likely not to be met with much playoff success as they are both undersized, which is why i said Griffin has a lot of tough choices to make. It is much easier to balance a roster around maybe one person playing small for their position, once you start to get to 2 and 3 it becomes very difficult to hide that weakness.

Dion Waiters played the three for long stretches frequently throughout the season.. I am tired of hearing about how undersized he is when it doesnt have a negative impact on the court.

 

[Cavatt]

Wow, if Anthony really has the talent some believe he does, we are looking at a deadly team. I think even if we just had Zeller at C for the future, we would be doing pretty well with tons of open lanes and shooters, and 5 guys who can drive the ball.

 

[Shack]

Um, what? We don't have to wonder about what's being included, height, weight, and length are the main components everyone uses for size. Strength doesn't factor into whether a player is undersized or not, that's an attribute like speed or agility.

I'm always amused at the lengths people go to try to discredit how important height is in the NBA when talking about AB.

Would it make a difference if I used the phrase "body size" or "frame" instead of strength?

Either way, is a PF who's shorter than his average peer, but equally wider than them, undersized?

 

[BimboColesHair]

So Tristan's amounted to nothing now? Wow. Jan Vesely and Jimmer Ferdette have amounted to nothing, you can't group TT in with those top-10 pick busts from his own draft class. A raw player with a broken free throw/jumper mechanics turned himself into a solid piece, he's not a star like you'd ideally want out of a #4 pick but I have to laugh when you labeled him as someone who amounts to absolutely nothing. You don't have to knock TT to make a point about AB.

Wow. Where are you getting this from from what I said? I have been one of Tristan's biggest supporters on this website, why would I ever say "he has amounted to nothing"? I said that is what will be brought up against his "potential" argument cause I have had that argument with the people who don't like Tristan around this website. Wasn't saying I personally believe it.

 

[CosmoKramer]

Would it make a difference if I used the phrase "body size" or "frame" instead of strength?

A slight difference, but body size and frame don't always correlate with strength. Boris Diaw has always had a big body with a massive frame, and he's not exactly a strongman on the court. In comparison Kawhi Leonard looks skinny for a small forward and is only listed at 225 pounds, but he sure plays with much more strength than what his size/frame would indicate.

In short, body size/frame sound great when we're trying to find positives about AB's size, but I'll take my size going upwards in the NBA rather than outwards.

Either way, is a PF who's shorter than his average peer, but equally wider than them, undersized?

Yes. This is where I believe Zen brought Chuck Hayes into the discussion, Chuck Hayes is a very large man. He's only 6'6'' but he's listed at a sturdy 250 pounds (but looks about 300). Does anyone think the Chuck Wagon isn't undersized for a big because he's about twice as wide as any 2 other NBA players combined + Gloria James?

 

[Tornicade]

I think next season will be a good one for Bennett developmental wise and he becomes reliable scoring off the bench. at the 4 and 3.

perhaps the following season he may be ready to start.

Ill be hoping to see him and Karasev grow next season and work their way into the rotation.

 

[CosmoKramer]

Wow. Where are you getting this from from what I said? I have been one of Tristan's biggest supporters on this website, why would I ever say "he has amounted to nothing"? I said that is what will be brought up against his "potential" argument cause I have had that argument with the people who don't like Tristan around this website. Wasn't saying I personally believe it.

I guess I interpreted your post differently, although I wasn't alone. Here's the paragraph in question:

"I've seen countless raw players with a "great work ethic" amount to nothing in sports. Our own Tristan Thompson will be brought up, I am sure, to counter your point here as he is an example many of us are currently exposed to. Banking on someones potential is how you get in trouble in sports. Potential is also not current fact."

I guess you could say you don't include Tristan among the countless raw players you mention immediately before him.

Even then, you're still using Tristan as an example (in regards to Nerlens Noel) that a player that can't develop an offensive game even after displaying they have the work ethic to do so. Still completely disagree with this.

 

[Zen]

I don't have the skills to do a proper AB riding a scientology spaceship... but I'm not going to go back on my word. (not sure how long this can last)

Godamn, this is really hard. brutal. :drink:

 

[stick]

I think him becoming the 'forgotten' number one pick is going to help his confidence. I expect a different AB next year. These are some exciting times!

 

[Snarly]

I can see Bennett right now building a Wiggins shrine In Griffins office as A, he Is a fellow Canadian and B. Wiggins will let Bennett hide behind the scense

 

[The Cav Sloth]

Someone help Zen out and make AB on the scientology spaceship avatar. pleeeease :chuckles: