Closer look at: Anthony Bennett

[Soar]

Sounds like he measured out almost identically to Paul Millsap who had a 7'1.5" wingspan and a 8'9.5" standing reach

Paul Milsap is the perfect comparison for Bennett. Bennett might be a tad more explosive but as far as what Bennett brings to the table, Milsap is spot on imo.

This is a quote from an article this past year. Just swap the name Bennett and Mike Brown in and you would be reading something similar in Cleveland this year if Bennett is picked.

Millsap has never been fond of extended minutes at SF, as it puts him in a tough spot defensively, and Tyrone Corbin moved him back at PF to start the second half.

 

[Derek]

Bennett isn't a tweener, he's an undersized PF. It's not ideal, but there's nothing wrong with it. He has the physical tools to defend the position if he really commits to it and gets the right coaching.

As a PF he has the strength to match the guys he's going up against in the paint while having the speed, quickness and athleticism to make himself a match up nightmare. Moving him to SF takes away a lot of the problems he causes defenders.

Paul Milsap is the perfect comparison for Bennett. Bennett might be a tad more explosive but as far as what Bennett brings to the table, Milsap is spot on imo.

Like you said, more athletic and I'll add a much more polished perimeter game. Their styles really aren't that similar, but seeing Millsap succeed with his body type along with lesser athleticism has to be a good sign for Bennett. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it does show that it's possible if he puts in the work.

 

[Lumthemad]

No, you actually said "he's poor on defense." If you're now minimizing that, and saying he really isn't poor on defense, that's fine. I was just going off your own statement.


This doesn't make any sense to me either. You first say they would have benched him if defense was a big part of his tasks, but then you say there's no way they'd bench him because he was their only offense. So he still sounds like a guy who is great on offense but poor on defense, despite the obvious fact that his coach wanted him to play much better defense. He just couldn't afford to bench him despite poor defense because they needed him too badly on offense.

I understand his value, but the defense is a huge concern to me. Despite being good-sized for a PF in college, he was still a poor defender. How bad will his defense be as an undersized power forward in the NBA? And moving him to SF...I don't see it. He just doesn't have the footspeed. So we'd be talking about a minus defender at the SF, which I don't think works, at all, with our current backcourt.

I think what people need to have cleared up on Bennett isn't that he CAN'T play defense but more specifically, he DIDN'T play defense(consistently). He's got some of the skills to be an adaquete defender. He just has to want to become a better defender , which will come along.

 

[Lumthemad]

One of the things i was wondering was, on certain matchups, i wonder if Tristan could handle the SF? He seems to have above average foot-speed. It would be a case of making match-ups work for you versus working against ourselves.

 

[Akron330]

I could imagine stretches with TT at the 5 and Bennett at the 4. Bennett's perimeter game can pull opposing bigs away from the bucket.

 

[Futuredome]

If we draft Bennett, Tristan is going bye bye.

 

[Nathan S]

I'm not close to convinced that Tristan for Bennett is an upgrade...

 

[Lumthemad]

I'm not close to convinced that Tristan for Bennett is an upgrade...

I think that is fair. Tristan's game grew nicely last season, especially after Anderson was injured. Bennett does things naturally that Tristan will never do and vica-versa. In terms of what i want out of my PF, i would rather keep Tristan. I do love Bennetts skills though and you can see the kid is oozing with talent.

I think much like the McLemore draft scenario, if you like his talent you draft him and figure it the hell out later.

 

[wuck]

Cavaliers schedule visit with UNLV's Anthony Bennett

By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com
@BobCavsinsider

UNLV power forward Anthony Bennett has scheduled his visit with the Cavaliers for Monday, his agent said on Thursday.

Bennett, a 6-foot-7, 239-pounder, is recovering from surgery on his left rotator cuff in May. He won't be doing any court work during his visit, but will meet with the Cavs' front office and coaching staff.

"The doctor just cleared him to begin shooting," agent Mike George said. "He's able to do some form shooting."

George said the doctor told Bennett he'll be able to return to court work in eight weeks.

"That was good news," he said. "His rehab was supposed to take four months. It's going to be about three months. He's ahead of schedule."

Bennett didn't attend the Chicago draft combine. He had just had surgery and doctors recommended that he not fly. He was able to attend the draft lottery in New York on May 21 with his arm in a sling.

He averaged 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds for the Runnin' Rebels as a freshman. He shot 52.6 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from behind the arc.

Bennett appears to be in the mix for the Cavs' No. 1 pick in the June 27 draft.

"I think he's the most unique player in the draft," George said.

 

[EdMonix11]

From Mike Prada:

Anthony Bennett said he's only currently scheduled to visit with the top five teams in the draft. Still TBD if he visits others.

Anthony Bennett also said he was cleared for shooting and should be 100% by August. Would still miss Summer League.

Anthony Bennett got measured today. He said his wingspan was "7'1 or 7'2," and his standing reach was 8'9. As a point of comparison, Otto Porter's wingspan is 7'1.5 and his standing reach is 8'9.5.

The Washington Post said he was measured during his visit with the Wizards and had those exact numbers, they also referred to him as being a 6'8" PF. Not that an extra inch really matters based on his wingspan and standing reach but found that interesting. They also reported that the entire Wizards front office took Bennett out to dinner. If he doesn't go #1, I think he goes #3 to Washington.

 

[getBUCKED]

Personally I think the visit to the Cavs is to see where Bennett sees himself in the NBA. He says he's just a "basketball player", but he definitely should have a greater goal to either slim down to the 3, or stay at the 4 and work on his post game. If he tries to stay in between he won't be able to reach his immense potential. To me, he's definitely a 4 and could give many 4's problems with his handles, shooting stroke, and explosiveness. If he's able to develop a post game, I think he makes a few all-star teams.

 

[TyGuy]

His 23.2 points per 40 on 57% 2's is pretty dang impressive for a frosh, but he will be a non factor as a rim protector on a team that really has no rim protection. I really don't see Bennett and Tristan surviving defensively together.

 

[Nathan S]

His 23.2 points per 40 on 57% 2's is pretty dang impressive for a frosh, but he will be a non factor as a rim protector on a team that really has no rim protection. I really don't see Bennett and Tristan surviving defensively together.

Also worth noting he's a few months older than sophomores Len and Porter.

 

[TwoPistols]

Losing weight doesn't magically make Bennett a 3

 

[Green Lantern]

Losing weight doesn't magically make Bennett a 3

Right. If U don't have the skillset to play the 3 ,it would be a waste to consider him there. Just like Derrick Williams ,who I keep going back to because it's amost a similar situation.
I don't want the Cavs(and I'm sure they're smarter than that) trying to fit a square peg into the round hole.
It won't work.