Early Season evaluation: Anthony Bennett

[mjs34]

Q, I agree with the majority of your analysis, but most of all on the Dwill similarities on his motor. I am really concerned by this, but also concerned by Flip's decision to limit his minutes. This seems to occur regardless of how Bennett is playing on that particular night. His minutes seem to be determined by foul trouble and injuries alone. I am a big believer that Flip's offense (or lack thereof) is a huge hindrance in the development of our younger guys. Flip's insistence on taking the long 2pt shot because it is open is not doing these guys any favors.

I agree that Bennett has a very high skill set and I also believe a high BB IQ as well, but his lack of aggression down low is maddening. I was hoping that Ricky would be on the court to direct our younger guys into better positions for good scoring opportunities. Unfortunately when we did have Ricky, Flip seemed to think playing guys like Young was more important.

I remember watching the game late last night and watching a play run for Gortat where Beal ran underneath Gorgi, freeing up Marcin for an easy lob for a dunk. Has anyone witnessed the wolves running a play like that? They said Wittman is running Flip's offense, but I don't these little staples when I watch our guys. We make cuts to the basket on occasion, but we rely on surprise to create space.

[AbeVigodaLive]

AB will be the next Kevin Love. Ok, I know that's ridiculous, but I do see a little bit of Love in him. Lumpy, good outside shooter, average defender, I've seen some good offensive rebounding from him.

Wiggy will be Kobe, AB wil be Love, and Zach will be Westbrook, Dieng will be Mutombo, and Bazz will be James Harden!

That team might even win more than 40 games!

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

AB will be the next Kevin Love. Ok, I know that's ridiculous, but I do see a little bit of Love in him. Lumpy, good outside shooter, average defender, I've seen some good offensive rebounding from him.

Wiggy will be Kobe, AB wil be Love, and Zach will be Westbrook, Dieng will be Mutombo, and Bazz will be James Harden!

That team might even win more than 40 games!

I think so Abe. Let's say those 5 young guys develop (and Rubio) into a strong competitive unit. If you could only add 1 more player this offseason via trade, who would be the missing piece to make us a serious threat in the West?

[AbeVigodaLive]

AB will be the next Kevin Love. Ok, I know that's ridiculous, but I do see a little bit of Love in him. Lumpy, good outside shooter, average defender, I've seen some good offensive rebounding from him.

Wiggy will be Kobe, AB wil be Love, and Zach will be Westbrook, Dieng will be Mutombo, and Bazz will be James Harden!

That team might even win more than 40 games!

I think so Abe. Let's say those 5 young guys develop (and Rubio) into a strong competitive unit. If you could only add 1 more player this offseason via trade, who would be the missing piece to make us a serious threat in the West?

Wouldn't want to mess with that chemistry. And that lineup. Roll those guys out there and see if they can bring home a title.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I'd like to see Flip for the last ten games of the year roll with a Ricky/Lavine/Wiggins/AB/Dieng starting 5 and see how they hold up. I think that would be much more helpful going into the off season than finishing with Ricky/Martin/Wiggins/Thad/Pek.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I'd like to see Flip for the last ten games of the year roll with a Ricky/Lavine/Wiggins/AB/Dieng starting 5 and see how they hold up. I think that would be much more helpful going into the off season than finishing with Ricky/Martin/Wiggins/Thad/Pek.

How about 25 games?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Last year: 52games, 12.8 minutes, 4.2points, 3.0TReb
This year: 26games, 16.6 minutes, 6.0points, 3.9TReb

No more excuses for the guy. Stop with them. Bennett's not our solution at PF.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Yeah, I'm not really sure what people see in this guy. He can hit that long jumper, and once in awhile he makes a good cut and dunk or outback and a nice defensive play (I think he's a little underrated defensively actually), but otherwise he seems like another floating tweener like DWill.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I don't see how anyone can be properly evaluated in Flip's current offensive and defensive schemes. They are both atrocious. The only thing Bennett is doing differently from Thad is not driving to the bucket off the pick and roll as much so I don't think it is Bennett just not being good that is leading to the stats. I think the only guy playing close to his desired play style is Bazz because he has just hijacked the offense when he is in and does a lot off the ball to get rebounds and put backs. Everyone else seems pretty handcuffed in this offense designed around long two point jumpers. I'm willing to give everybody until the end of the year playing with Ricky to judge if they are bad or if it is Flip's garbage system when he doesn't have Ricky. Also I'd rather see what Bennett can do with starters minutes before I give up on him because 15 MPG's is not enough to evaluate a guy properly when he has played starters minutes his whole life. Thad hasn't been good enough and this team has been bad enough where I think Bennett should be in the starting lineup when Ricky comes back. Lets see what he can do when he is actually given the time to get in a rhythm versus have to be effective in limited minutes.

[mjs34]

Last year: 52games, 12.8 minutes, 4.2points, 3.0TReb
This year: 26games, 16.6 minutes, 6.0points, 3.9TReb

No more excuses for the guy. Stop with them. Bennett's not our solution at PF.

I don't know how you can post any of this after calling Young a top 10-15 PF in the league. Bennett hasn't even played a full year yet, and you are already calling him out.

I have the same concerns as many when it comes to his motor, but he has a pretty well rounded skillset, and the strength to compete down low. Unfortuantely Flip's system probably is a poor fit for him. I would like to see them restrict his outside shooting for the time being. I am also curious as to the extent of his foot problem, and if they shouldn't shut him down until it is fully healed.

Drew, I think this kid is a true PF in this league. He has no trouble holding position down low. I just think it might several years before he really turns the corner. I agree with you on the "underrated defensively" part.