OFFICIAL PAN AM GAMES AB HYPE THREAD!!!!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

The long wait is over...the Pan Am games are finally here! Tonight, Anthony Bennett led the Canadian team over a Dominican Republic team so stocked with talent that Horford and Towns didn't even bother to try out for it. AB had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes...also 5 fouls. I watched a little of it, and actually liked the way AB played. He looked fit...longer and leaner than we last saw him...and moved well on defense.

All joking aside, I think it would be helpful if AB played really well in this tournament...either to compel Flip to move him ahead of Adreian Payne on the pre-season depth chart, or more likely, to improve what we might get back for him in trade. Yeah, I know...Barea played really well in these games last year, and it didn't increase his trade value at all. But I would argue that the league already knew what JJ was...after just two injury-shortened seasons, there's still some mystery about what AB might be.

While 15 and 10 is just fine, it's not enough to change anyone's perception of Bennett. The quality of play actually looked a little better to me than Summer League, but it must not be because Brady Heslip scored 24 points to lead the Canucks. He was worthless in Vegas.

I'm hoping for a better outing next game.

[Carlos Danger]

Thanks for starting dedicated thread. I'm excited for AB and hope he plays well. Like you, I'm not sure it will mean too much. But having him play well certainly is better than having him play poorly.

I didn't see any of the game. But judging by the box he was solid. However, like you - I'm really looking for him to dominate i.e. 30 points/15 rebound type games. I think that's the only way people might take notice.

But - like many people are also thinking....I assume it's long shot for AB to be on the Wolves opening day roster. But I am rooting for the guy if for no other reason than to be able to say we have the last three #1 overall picks on our team. But also, on a serious note, I assume AB will improve with more experience, so with KG probably on his last year and Payne still having a lot to prove, he still have a small chance of being a solution for us at PF if he can perform when given a chance. Anyway - I'm glad we have these summer games to talk about otherwise it's a long off season.

[Monster]

Box score from the game today

http://results.toronto2015.org/IRS/en/basketball/results-men-b-02.htm

15-10 doesn't suck that's for sure. I was hoping I would be able to watch some but no dice. I tend to think Flip hasn't absolutely made up his mind on AB but he is obviously not planning on him having any significant role either.

http://results.toronto2015.org/IRS/en/basketball/results-men-a-02.htm

Check out who is on the US team for this tourney. I think Ryan Hollins is the only guy on that squad with a for sure NBA contract. AR is playin and Damian Wilkins. Damn this tourney is full of former wolves! That's bad right? Lol

[Carlos Danger]

Box score from the game today

http://results.toronto2015.org/IRS/en/basketball/results-men-b-02.htm

15-10 doesn't suck that's for sure. I was hoping I would be able to watch some but no dice. I tend to think Flip hasn't absolutely made up his mind on AB but he is obviously not planning on him having any significant role either.

http://results.toronto2015.org/IRS/en/basketball/results-men-a-02.htm

Check out who is on the US team for this tourney. I think Ryan Hollins is the only guy on that squad with a for sure NBA contract. AR is playin and Damian Wilkins. Damn this tourney is full of former wolves! That's bad right? Lol

Don't forget Bobby "My Prerogative" Brown was a wolf too.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Just an ok performance. While he did get a bunch of rebounds and 15 points, he didn't put up much else. No assists, no 3s, no steals and no blocks. Looking at the USA roster where Anthony Randolph is one of the biggest names, and DR has no familiar names on it, I have to think this is probably weaker competition than the summer league.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I know it's just the Pan Am games, but I'd take 15 and 10 in 28 MPG's from him any day. Keep in mind KG is only gonna play about 20 MPG's so that leaves 28 MPG's for the rest of the PF minutes.

[Monster]

Just an ok performance. While he did get a bunch of rebounds and 15 points, he didn't put up much else. No assists, no 3s, no steals and no blocks. Looking at the USA roster where Anthony Randolph is one of the biggest names, and DR has no familiar names on it, I have to think this is probably weaker competition than the summer league.

Looking at these rosters of countries like US and Canada the talent level seems more like a step up from some of these Pro Ams where Lavine and Heslip were lighting up. The difference between that and even SL is I do think these Pan Am teams are more organized and have practiced together more and so the games should be more polished basketball. So yeah these games probably won't tell us too much but just by the stats I would be fine with a 15-10 performance out of AB in the first game. He played under 30 mins so thats pretty solid. I don't think he has to put up 30-20 or anything although that would be pretty nifty, I would be more interested to actually see how he played but oh well. I would rather him look like he was playing good solid basketball than just jacking up shots and going bonkers against likely lesser dudes,

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Bennett has made all 5 of his shots, including 2 threes, and 2/2 on free throws...15 points in 14 minutes so far in Game 2. That's more like it!

[Porckchop]

I bet Cams just rolling in his message board grave.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I bet Cams just rolling in his message board grave.

LOL. Nah, he'd just be talking about the level of competition in the Pan Ams. Actually monster nailed it yesterday...the players aren't as good as those in the SL, but the play is much better because the teams had more time to practice together.

AB only played 15 minutes because of foul problems in their win tonight over Argentina, but he still went 17 and 6 and didn't miss a shot. I hope someone else can weigh in with their thoughts about how he looks, because he looks much leaner and quicker to me. He looks very long out there.