Anthony Bennett

[Frank Reynolds]

I think when you are already in that weird 3-4 zone, it's probably the hardest adjustment because you can be exploited and fall into traps easily. First trap is trying to be a perimeter player first and a big man second.

Guys who look to rebound first get the most opportunities IMO. You have to understand positioning, Kevin Love doesn't get all those boards because he's leaping, it's positioning and using your body to block out. Bennett has got an enormous frame. You could see him bodying up some bigger players and they couldn't push back and get deeper position.


You don't look to get your game going by launching three pointers. We get it, he can make them, but he needs to establish himself inside first. I'd force him to make a strong post move and score that way first, and then we'll let you start using your outside jumper.

Once his jumper starts falling, then he can set up his dribble drive game. It's rudimentary, but if he understands how to use his biggest asset (his thick frame) he could be solid. He really needs to study Zach Randolph and Kevin Love.

He tried to do too much, and failed from a fundamentals standpoint. The jumpshot form is excellent, he just lacked the confidence and clanged an enormous amount of shots.

Fundamentals, use the big body and play like a big man first. Or else you risk being in that Derrick Williams, Michael Beasley zone where nobody is really sure what you are, and you aren't any type of advantage to the team.

I did see Bennett zip some outlet passes at times this season, it was an impressive display, and I encourage you guys to watch Embiid do it as well. We've seen how Love's Wolves have benefited from the strong outlet passes, which gains you quick and easy scoring opportunities in transition.

 

[Adam]

While I like Bennett as a prospect and his shots look good I find myself really worried about his shooting hand. It's sounds picky but he doesn't really get a grip on the ball. His hand his narrow and it causes those crazy air balls he shot thus year and drastically increases the time if takes him to shoot, hence why he often tried to get in a dribble or pause before releasing.

Maybe I'm a shot snob, I'm a poor shooter myself so I know what he's doing is effecting him. Hopefully the coaching staff can notice it and work it out of him

 

[Lumthemad]

MB forcefed him minutes for the first 23 games. Any other player would have been yanked after 5 games and never saw the floor again. What kind of consistent minutes did you want to see from a player putting up a 1.8 PER?

I do agree with you, I think if he does end up being a bust it will be due to his mental makeup. He seems extremely sheepish and timid. The exact opposite of what you see from players in the playoffs right now. Scares me to think what would happen to him mentally in a big playoff game.

Coaches are in a rough spot sometimes in terms of playing time. AB at the beginning of the season didn't really warrant being on the court. I am a fan of his and it would be impossible to argue in his favor early in the year. That being stated, when you draft a kid number 1 overall, you've got to put things in place to help him succeed. I thought the Cavaliers did very poorly with all of that. Mike Browns firing to me was a large part due to his mis-management of AB and Karasev and how to fit them into the rotation.

I hope he shakes that timidness and showcases the talents he does have and remains healthy. I think he could be a great power-forward in the David West mold.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Coaches are in a rough spot sometimes in terms of playing time. AB at the beginning of the season didn't really warrant being on the court. I am a fan of his and it would be impossible to argue in his favor early in the year. That being stated, when you draft a kid number 1 overall, you've got to put things in place to help him succeed. I thought the Cavaliers did very poorly with all of that. Mike Browns firing to me was a large part due to his mis-management of AB and Karasev and how to fit them into the rotation.

I hope he shakes that timidness and showcases the talents he does have and remains healthy. I think he could be a great power-forward in the David West mold.

Half of the roster didn't warrant being on the court. You might as well put the guy out there who can learn from fucking up, instead of Earl Clark who will forever be a fuck up.

 

[DW3]

I watched every game last season and AB show little of anything to be excited about. Supposedly, he's a decent shot, but he probably put up more air balls than the entire team combine. And, too slow to play SF and too small play PF. Sometimes, he did "OK" vs 2/3rd teamers, but that's hardly how a the #1 overall, or even top 10, should perform. If he can become a good backup, that's good enough for me.

 

[Futuredome]

I watched every game last season and AB show little of anything to be excited about. Supposedly, he's a decent shot, but he probably put up more air balls than the entire team combine. And, too slow to play SF and too small play PF. Sometimes, he did "OK" vs 2/3rd teamers, but that's hardly how a the #1 overall, or even top 10, should perform. If he can become a good backup, that's good enough for me.

Seriously, you watched every game? I did as well he played in starting from January when he finally was in somewhat of shape, came away impressed. Like most one and done's, needs parts of his game to work on, but you can see the raw skills translating and his defensive ability on pf looked better than TT's.

 

[Zen]

Seriously, you watched every game? I did as well he played in starting from January when he finally was in somewhat of shape, came away impressed. Like most one and done's, needs parts of his game to work on, but you can see the raw skills translating and his defensive ability on pf looked better than TT's.

I think one of the main issues that has people overstating the end of the year for AB is the fact that he started with a 1.8 PER in his first 30 games. If you think back he was so embarrassingly bad that it is natural to laud any improvement.

I think if you look at his last 25 games in a vacuum you will see that even his "great improvement" was still very mediocre for a #1 pick, and if he wasn't on the Cavs we would be looking at him in a different light. For every good play he made in those last 25 games, he had 2 or 3 defensive breakdowns, a charge, a lost dribble turn over, etc. But, when you compare it to the start of the season he was clearly playing much better.

The rhetoric regarding his last 20 games is mind boggling "better than TT". "Amazing Jump shot", "agile defender!", "creates a miss-match at the 4".

 

[DW3]

Seriously, you watched every game? I did as well he played in starting from January when he finally was in somewhat of shape, came away impressed. Like most one and done's, needs parts of his game to work on, but you can see the raw skills translating and his defensive ability on pf looked better than TT's.

Yes, I watched every game. And, for more punishment, I rewatch the games on NBA League Pass.

 

[Cavatt]

I think one of the main issues that has people overstating the end of the year for AB is the fact that he started with a 1.8 PER in his first 30 games. If you think back he was so embarrassingly bad that it is natural to laud any improvement.

I think if you look at his last 25 games in a vacuum you will see that even his "great improvement" was still very mediocre for a #1 pick, and if he wasn't on the Cavs we would be looking at him in a different light. For every good play he made in those last 25 games, he had 2 or 3 defensive breakdowns, a charge, a lost dribble turn over, etc. But, when you compare it to the start of the season he was clearly playing much better.

The rhetoric regarding his last 20 games is mind boggling "better than TT". "Amazing Jump shot", "agile defender!", "creates a miss-match at the 4".

I have to agree at least a bit. He showed that he is not ready for big minutes IMO. I am willing to change my mind as soon as he puts a few good stretches together. He has had a couple of good games. Now he needs to build on it.

I really thin that was one of Frank's better posts above. He needs to establish himself inside. A few guys can start by shooting three's, but it always seems like if you can get a couple at the rack you are better shooting 3's. CJ Miles actually seemed to finally learn this this year. He took a lot of 3's, but they were in rhythm, and he finally came into his own as a reliable 3 point specialist.

 

[dark2332]

But my question is, what has changed? Is it just one more year in the pros? Because none of what you mentioned suggests this upcoming year will be successful for AB.

Honestly, I think it'll be coming to camp in the best shape he's been in from a basketball standpoint. With the surgery last year, he was so hindered from that standpoint. He was behind, never cracked the rotation, and his confidence was destroyed as he rode the pine being laughed at by the media. Then, getting so few minutes per game, he didn't let the game come to him when he got floor time and he forced things. I also believe his reliance on the jumper was a major result of his physical state--the dude was never in playing shape. As the season ended, the game finally slowed down and he ended up showing some glimpses (not to mention noticeable weight loss.) Finally, the rookie year is over and as long as he learns from the entire experience, I would expect a different player now that the scrutiny has diminished. The skills are there.


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[mAo_mAo]

While I like Bennett as a prospect and his shots look good I find myself really worried about his shooting hand. It's sounds picky but he doesn't really get a grip on the ball. His hand his narrow and it causes those crazy air balls he shot thus year and drastically increases the time if takes him to shoot, hence why he often tried to get in a dribble or pause before releasing.

Maybe I'm a shot snob, I'm a poor shooter myself so I know what he's doing is effecting him. Hopefully the coaching staff can notice it and work it out of him

I think it was widely accepted that having smaller or average sized hands are better in shooting the ball because they can generate more spin.

 

[oasis05]

I thought his loss of shooting touch was a result of off season shoulder surgery that immobilized his arm.

 

[crowsoverhoes]

So i just watched the DraftExpress scouting report on Anthony Bennett from last year. And i may be overly optimistic but i truly feel that a full offseason will completely turn this kid around. He looks a legitimate 15 pounds lighter in college. He just played natural, caught the ball-made his move.

If he gets back in shape i think this will come back to him. Summer league will be a good test.

 

[Clevelander]

So i just watched the DraftExpress scouting report on Anthony Bennett from last year. And i may be overly optimistic but i truly feel that a full offseason will completely turn this kid around. He looks a legitimate 15 pounds lighter in college. He just played natural, caught the ball-made his move.

If he gets back in shape i think this will come back to him. Summer league will be a good test.

i agree. i'm really thinking that bennett could become a legit 3rd scoring option for us in the future with decent defense.

 

[Clevelander]

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