I'm probably his biggest fan on this board...loved him at UNLV. So I thought I'd start a thread to monitor his progress. According to Jonny K, he has caught Flip's eye.
https://twitter.com/APkrawczynski/status/517752237800849408
https://twitter.com/APkrawczynski/status/517756440488849408
I have to agree with Jon about AB's shooting stroke. It's smooth and consistent on every shot. I'm hoping that he can show Flip that he can be effective both inside and out, so he can function as a true stretch 4.
It's early, but it looks like Flip has done a stellar job of replacing Love at PF. Thad Young is a bona fide NBA starting PF, and deserves to be the starter in the early going. But the Wolves become a much better team if AB can regain the form he flashed at UNLV. Our early game rebounding gets much better with Bennett in the starting lineup, and I think Young could be an excellent energy and scoring guy off the bench.
Anthony Bennett
Re: Anthony Bennett
Great to see Bennett have a good training camp. People are quick to forgot the guys a number one pick and it's a little too early to call him a bust. I reckon he will have a breakout season this year and am looking forward to seeing a Bennett / Dieng front court coming in off the bench.
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alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]
- Posts: 1957
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Re: Anthony Bennett
eh, Flips been giving everybody major pub. Mostly just coaching speak. Take it with a grain of salt
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longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]
- Posts: 9432
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Re: Anthony Bennett
alexftbl8181 wrote:eh, Flips been giving everybody major pub. Mostly just coaching speak. Take it with a grain of salt
Ha, that's true, Alex...coaches do use pre-season to build players up in the press. Flip even had positive things to say about JJ today!
But it seems to me that the 3 non-rookies getting favorably talked about most are Bud (by far), Shabazz and Bennett...three guys coming off very poor seasons.
Re: Anthony Bennett
Either way, if AB can catch his footing it could really boost this team quickly. He has been mostly an afterthought with me (I have been so excited about Wiggins, LaVine and Thad) but I am hopeful and intrigued to see what he can do with his new body. He is a classic X factor.
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bleedspeed
- Posts: 8173
- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Anthony Bennett
I am excited about AB. I liked him before the draft last year, but didn't think he was #1 pick.
In order of players I have the most hope for:
1. LaVine (something about the kid)
2. Wiggins (I am very optimistic about him)
3. Bennett (I just think he has the skills to do everything- much better then DW)
4. Shabazz (Love his work ethic. I think he can be a factor, but he is a hard guy to project)
5. Deing - (He is 24 and I already think we saw what he can do and he will get a little better)
In order of players I have the most hope for:
1. LaVine (something about the kid)
2. Wiggins (I am very optimistic about him)
3. Bennett (I just think he has the skills to do everything- much better then DW)
4. Shabazz (Love his work ethic. I think he can be a factor, but he is a hard guy to project)
5. Deing - (He is 24 and I already think we saw what he can do and he will get a little better)
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BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]
- Posts: 3290
- Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Anthony Bennett
Bleed, that's our Fab 5. Never have we had so many high draft picks over a 2 year span, I believe. I'm ruling out the Rubio point guard draft by Kahn, because as far as I'm concerned, that draft never happened.
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longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]
- Posts: 9432
- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Anthony Bennett
I love the idea of a fab five! If we are talking about a combination of impact this year and potential, mine would be a little different:
1) Wiggins: I'm convinced he's going to be a stud. He just moves differently than anyone else out there...explosive and effortless at the same time. He will make an immediate impact on defense, and gradually establish himself as our best offensive player too.
2) Bennett. More positive comments from Flip yesterday. He said that he was the camp's biggest surprise so far , and seems to have his confidence back. He has been very impressed with his effectiveness and effort on defense too. I think Flip will have to find a way to get him 20 minutes somehow this year.
3) Muhammad. Everyone talks about how he looks like a different guy physically this year, but I'm equally as impressed with the change in his demeanor and attitude. I honestly don't recognize him from the guy we saw last year and in college when he talks...looks completely confident and poised to have a big year. I still don't know how Flip is going to find minutes for him, but I think he has to.
4) LaVine. I have him 4th only because I don't think he will be a big contributor this year, but long-term his potential is sky high. He seems to be a young 19 to me, and didn't get enough seasoning in college, so I look for Flip to bring him along slowly. I have to admit that he has exceeded my expectations so far, though, so he may continue to surprise.
5) Dieng. Tough to rank him last on this list, because I love his game. This has more to do with how well he played last year. He's already a double double machine, and I don't think his upside is at the same level as the other four. He'll be a very good NBA center for many years, though.
As I look at this list (and add Ricky to it), I don't know how the experts don't rank us first in most potential in players under 25.
1) Wiggins: I'm convinced he's going to be a stud. He just moves differently than anyone else out there...explosive and effortless at the same time. He will make an immediate impact on defense, and gradually establish himself as our best offensive player too.
2) Bennett. More positive comments from Flip yesterday. He said that he was the camp's biggest surprise so far , and seems to have his confidence back. He has been very impressed with his effectiveness and effort on defense too. I think Flip will have to find a way to get him 20 minutes somehow this year.
3) Muhammad. Everyone talks about how he looks like a different guy physically this year, but I'm equally as impressed with the change in his demeanor and attitude. I honestly don't recognize him from the guy we saw last year and in college when he talks...looks completely confident and poised to have a big year. I still don't know how Flip is going to find minutes for him, but I think he has to.
4) LaVine. I have him 4th only because I don't think he will be a big contributor this year, but long-term his potential is sky high. He seems to be a young 19 to me, and didn't get enough seasoning in college, so I look for Flip to bring him along slowly. I have to admit that he has exceeded my expectations so far, though, so he may continue to surprise.
5) Dieng. Tough to rank him last on this list, because I love his game. This has more to do with how well he played last year. He's already a double double machine, and I don't think his upside is at the same level as the other four. He'll be a very good NBA center for many years, though.
As I look at this list (and add Ricky to it), I don't know how the experts don't rank us first in most potential in players under 25.
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Camden [enjin:6601484]
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- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Anthony Bennett
In order of excitement for prospects, since that's what it looks like we're doing, mine goes as such:
1. LaVine - All the tools needed to be a superstar in this league. Unmatched athleticism, smooth jumper, good handle, decent court vision, above average size (needs to get stronger) and the cocky/killer mentality that I think is essential to separating an All-Star to a Star. I'm extremely optimistic on this guy, and I love that he's really embraced Minnesota. Everything about him says that he has the POTENTIAL to be the "face of the franchise". We got this guy at pick No. 13 as well, which makes this even better.
2. Wiggins - His floor is high, and his ceiling is extremely high. I think we're all going to be very pleased with his defense right from the jump. I know it was just a scrimmage the other night, but Wiggins looks like an above average NBA defender right this second. His offense is going to come even without him understanding how to score. He's too big, too athletic, too quick to not get points. What we (Timberwolves and their fans) need is for him to tighten up that handle so he can become a star in this league. This is one of the areas LaVine has him completely beat, and add the more cocky mentality to the quation, and this is why I'm more excited for LaVine. Not a shot at Wiggins, though.
3. Dieng - Some of you are vastly underrating his potential, in my opinion. I watched several of his FIBA games where he was the focal point of his team's offense. He embraced it and showed moves I didn't know he had. Also, he was among the leaders in that tourney in scoring and rebounding. How's that for a 24-year old low first-rounder? He's grown immensely in one off-season and I can't wait to see him this year. Also fits in perfectly with the identity Flip's establishing.
4. Bennett - Look, nobody's been as hard on AB as I have. He's got all the tools to be successful. My problems with him are that he didn't play to his strengths last year and I worry that he doesn't truly get it from a mentality standpoint. Bad shots early in the shot clock, rarely moving the rock quickly and poor defense all-around last year. If Flip can fix these issues, then he could be a good piece to the puzzle. Physically, he has the tools, but can he put it together?
5. Muhammad - I just find myself rooting for the guy. He's awkward, mumbles when he talks sometimes, made a dumb mistake at last year's rookie meeting, etc. Through all of that, I just like the guy's attitude towards basketball. The heart, the passion, the effort, the want to be good. It's all there. Transforming his body as he did is so huge. Not many players do that this early in their career. Bazz has had success at every level of play and I'd like to see that trend continue. His style is unconventional, but to me, I don't care how a player scores as long as they put the ball in the hoop. I've seen enough to know that he can do that. Bazz just needs to continue to improve his jumper and work on his counter moves. There's definitely some sixth man appeal with him.
6. Hummel - What a steal... Just kidding. Keep getting them checks, though, Robbie. He's a shooter who can't make shots. 25-years old. Can't hate on him for getting his six figures, I guess.
1. LaVine - All the tools needed to be a superstar in this league. Unmatched athleticism, smooth jumper, good handle, decent court vision, above average size (needs to get stronger) and the cocky/killer mentality that I think is essential to separating an All-Star to a Star. I'm extremely optimistic on this guy, and I love that he's really embraced Minnesota. Everything about him says that he has the POTENTIAL to be the "face of the franchise". We got this guy at pick No. 13 as well, which makes this even better.
2. Wiggins - His floor is high, and his ceiling is extremely high. I think we're all going to be very pleased with his defense right from the jump. I know it was just a scrimmage the other night, but Wiggins looks like an above average NBA defender right this second. His offense is going to come even without him understanding how to score. He's too big, too athletic, too quick to not get points. What we (Timberwolves and their fans) need is for him to tighten up that handle so he can become a star in this league. This is one of the areas LaVine has him completely beat, and add the more cocky mentality to the quation, and this is why I'm more excited for LaVine. Not a shot at Wiggins, though.
3. Dieng - Some of you are vastly underrating his potential, in my opinion. I watched several of his FIBA games where he was the focal point of his team's offense. He embraced it and showed moves I didn't know he had. Also, he was among the leaders in that tourney in scoring and rebounding. How's that for a 24-year old low first-rounder? He's grown immensely in one off-season and I can't wait to see him this year. Also fits in perfectly with the identity Flip's establishing.
4. Bennett - Look, nobody's been as hard on AB as I have. He's got all the tools to be successful. My problems with him are that he didn't play to his strengths last year and I worry that he doesn't truly get it from a mentality standpoint. Bad shots early in the shot clock, rarely moving the rock quickly and poor defense all-around last year. If Flip can fix these issues, then he could be a good piece to the puzzle. Physically, he has the tools, but can he put it together?
5. Muhammad - I just find myself rooting for the guy. He's awkward, mumbles when he talks sometimes, made a dumb mistake at last year's rookie meeting, etc. Through all of that, I just like the guy's attitude towards basketball. The heart, the passion, the effort, the want to be good. It's all there. Transforming his body as he did is so huge. Not many players do that this early in their career. Bazz has had success at every level of play and I'd like to see that trend continue. His style is unconventional, but to me, I don't care how a player scores as long as they put the ball in the hoop. I've seen enough to know that he can do that. Bazz just needs to continue to improve his jumper and work on his counter moves. There's definitely some sixth man appeal with him.
6. Hummel - What a steal... Just kidding. Keep getting them checks, though, Robbie. He's a shooter who can't make shots. 25-years old. Can't hate on him for getting his six figures, I guess.
Re: Anthony Bennett
Just going to comment here on Bazz and how people see him doing interviews etc. I think he has a new comfort level and is his own guy. I think he is still a bit of an odd dude, but the thing about him is he has always been in the spotlight with a dad that thrust him into that intentionally. Its not like the NBA doesn't have spotlight it does, but Bazz may have gotten his first chance ever this last few months to be his own man.
One thing I took from his interview video with Rose and Bill Simmons is that he may not actually like the spotlight. He might have enjoyed last year just being the rookie that nobody really talked about much. He works hard there isn't ridiculous expectations from the outside on him. Flip has said it a few times that it may end up benefiting Bazz that he didn't get those minutes last year it really motivated him. What I see from him is just a guy that seems more at ease with himself willing to talk himself. People forget that he had alot of stuff happen with people talking about his age dad etc so I think that made him reserved in interviews. Alot of that is gone and he can just focus on his game and the team instead of worrying about what people think about him because of his past.
I find myself pulling for the guy cause at first I thought people were dogging on him and he sort of became and underdog to me. He still is but in a different way and he seems more likeable as a person. The guy plays about as hard as Brewer and with his physical gift that could lead to a player that can have an effect on a game. Flip has deployed some interesting guys especially as a Wolves coach. He got some pretty good minutes out of undersized players especially as a Wolves coach. Its gonna be interesting to see how Flip handles all these guys.
Its good to hear that Bennett has looked good. It would be nice to see him at least be a legit backup as a PF. If he was legit dept there for this team behind Thad that could be the start of a team that surprises people.
One thing I took from his interview video with Rose and Bill Simmons is that he may not actually like the spotlight. He might have enjoyed last year just being the rookie that nobody really talked about much. He works hard there isn't ridiculous expectations from the outside on him. Flip has said it a few times that it may end up benefiting Bazz that he didn't get those minutes last year it really motivated him. What I see from him is just a guy that seems more at ease with himself willing to talk himself. People forget that he had alot of stuff happen with people talking about his age dad etc so I think that made him reserved in interviews. Alot of that is gone and he can just focus on his game and the team instead of worrying about what people think about him because of his past.
I find myself pulling for the guy cause at first I thought people were dogging on him and he sort of became and underdog to me. He still is but in a different way and he seems more likeable as a person. The guy plays about as hard as Brewer and with his physical gift that could lead to a player that can have an effect on a game. Flip has deployed some interesting guys especially as a Wolves coach. He got some pretty good minutes out of undersized players especially as a Wolves coach. Its gonna be interesting to see how Flip handles all these guys.
Its good to hear that Bennett has looked good. It would be nice to see him at least be a legit backup as a PF. If he was legit dept there for this team behind Thad that could be the start of a team that surprises people.