Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:How is Anthony Bennett an upgrade to Glen Davis? I can't stand Big Baby, and AB can't hold his jock strap in terms of production. That's a team in win-now mode. They don't need to be taking on reclamation projects.

Also, Jordan Hill, Lavoy Allen, Ian Mahinmi and Myles Turner are going to hold it down in Indiana. I don't see how Bennett helps that group.

The Nets have Thad Young and their own reclamation project in Thomas Robinson. Bennett couldn't beat out Young in Minnesota, like I said he couldn't, and he probably wouldn't beat T-Rob out either, but that one is debatable.

I could see Sacramento being the team that takes him on. They took D-Will; they might as well take the 2.0 version of him.

Here is the AB/Baby comparison for last year.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&y1=2015&p1=davisgl01&y2=2015&p2=bennean01&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

AB had more points, rebounds and assists than Davis, both on a per game and a per 36 basis. And now Davis is out for a couple months after ankle surgery, and who knows how well a 300 pounder is going to recover from ankle surgery. If the Clippers were willing to roll with Davis, I don't know why they wouldn't throw a couple million at Bennett since he is 8 years younger and was more productive last year...especially with the uncertainty about Davis' ankle.

I forgot about Thad Young on the Nets, probably because ESPN has him listed as a SF. But I guess he is more likely to be their PF. I don't like that collection of PFs at Indy, especially since two of them are better suited to be centers.

longstrangetrip wrote:

Camden wrote:How is Anthony Bennett an upgrade to Glen Davis? I can't stand Big Baby, and AB can't hold his jock strap in terms of production. That's a team in win-now mode. They don't need to be taking on reclamation projects.

Also, Jordan Hill, Lavoy Allen, Ian Mahinmi and Myles Turner are going to hold it down in Indiana. I don't see how Bennett helps that group.

The Nets have Thad Young and their own reclamation project in Thomas Robinson. Bennett couldn't beat out Young in Minnesota, like I said he couldn't, and he probably wouldn't beat T-Rob out either, but that one is debatable.

I could see Sacramento being the team that takes him on. They took D-Will; they might as well take the 2.0 version of him.

Here is the AB/Baby comparison for last year.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&y1=2015&p1=davisgl01&y2=2015&p2=bennean01&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

AB had more points, rebounds and assists than Davis, both on a per game and a per 36 basis. And now Davis is out for a couple months after ankle surgery, and who knows how well a 300 pounder is going to recover from ankle surgery. If the Clippers were willing to roll with Davis, I don't know why they wouldn't throw a couple million at Bennett since he is 8 years younger and was more productive last year...especially with the uncertainty about Davis' ankle.

I forgot about Thad Young on the Nets, probably because ESPN has him listed as a SF. But I guess he is more likely to be their PF. I don't like that collection of PFs at Indy, especially since two of them are better suited to be centers.

Indiana is going small ball playing Paul George and Bud at PF.

I'd put money on the Clipers and Doc Rivers to hope Big Baby would find his productive self of the past rather than hope some guy that's been pretty awful his first 2 seasons. Of course the reality is Big Baby is still unsigned so It doesn't matter too much. I can't imagine Bennett would be thrilled to sign with the Clippers and play behind Blake Griffin and Josh Smith.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/rund-out-rebel-anthony-bennetts-buyout-guarantees-his-ignominious-no-1-status/

Another interesting read on Bennett.

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-waive-forward-anthony-bennett

Minneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived forward Anthony Bennett. With the move, Minnesota's roster stands at 18 players.

"In speaking with Anthony and his representatives over the past few days, we came to the conclusion that this was the best outcome for both parties," said Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton. 'When you look at our team, our deepest position is probably power forward. This move balances out our roster while also allowing Anthony another opportunity in the NBA. He has a lot of talent and his play this summer internationally made this a difficult decision for us.

"During his short time here Anthony has carried himself with class and represented the franchise in a very professional manner. We thank him for his positive attitude and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

I could see Boston taking a shot on him. They don't have much young frontcourt talent with potential outside of Olynyk. Phoenix might take a chance with Chandler covering defensively and their need for a stretch 4 since Fry left. He might be a fit in Detroit as a stretch 4 next to Drummond. There are plenty of teams who might take a shot on him under a new deal. He has the potential to be a stretch 4 who can either float to the 3 point line or attack the rim off the PnR. Not many guys have the opportunity to be good at both. They usually are either floaters or rollers.

Not Boston. They have great coaching and might make him look good. (actually I hope AB the best)

Honestly, I can't think of any NBA team that AB would help this season and he's just a gamble for the future. I chuckled when someone suggested Golden State as a potential destination as I don't think any team in win now mode wants to waste a roster spot on him or have him be a distraction. He's best suited for a team in tank mode like Portland or Sixers. By the way, he is good luck for any team aspiring for the top pick in next year's draft as he is 2 for 2 so far.

I canvassed several other team's boards on Real GM and found virtually no interest from any of them in signing AB including Portland's board (who prefer keeping Alexander, an undrafted free agent). Only the posters on the Sixers board seem to have an interest in signing AB since several suggested they had been in favor of taking AB over the Miami pick a year ago (Flip, what were you thinking?).

khans2k5 wrote:I could see Boston taking a shot on him. They don't have much young frontcourt talent with potential outside of Olynyk. .

Olynyk, Sullinger, Mickey, Zeller are all young bigs that are better players than AB. They also have Amir Johnson and David Lee so I don't see the need for Boston. Mickey was an absolute beast in summer ball and a guy that I wished we had gotten. I know Boston was once a rumored destination for AB, but I think Mickey's showing probably ended that, plus they already have a project big in Perry Ellis..

I feel this weird paradox with Bennett, is he so far lost that even a mentor on the caliber of KG can't guide him?

alexftbl8181 wrote:I feel this weird paradox with Bennett, is he so far lost that even a mentor on the caliber of KG can't guide him?

One great thing about the AB buy out is that KG is freed from having to spend so much time with AB and can devote more mentoring time with the other guys.