I don't know what the deal has been for this kid. Why hasn't he found a role so far in the NBA? He seems like he has multiple skills. Very strange case.

Trainer says former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett could 'flourish' with Knicks

 By
 
 
Adam Zagoria


 7:28PM
Share:

There's no getting around the fact that Anthony Bennett has been a bigtime bust as a former No. 1 overall draft pick.

But his trainer and his former AAU coach both say that Bennett has worked hard to get in excellent condition -- and that he could help the Knicks in a modified triangle offense under coach Jeff Hornacek this season. The 6-foot-8 power forward out of UNLV was at the Knicks free agent mini-camp this week in Tarrytown. (He also worked out at the Nets mini-camp as well.)

"I think it would be good for him," Andrew Moore, the director of player development at Impact Las Vegas, told SNY.tv. "He can play multiple spots on the floor. He can take it off the floor, he can shoot mid-range, he can make threes. So I think he's well rounded enough to fit into the triangle or any system. He can play pick-and-roll, he can roll hard, he can finish above the rim. He can catch and finish and score. He can pop and shoot threes. Any system would be great for him."

In his rookie season, Bennett, who just turned 23 in March, averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds for Cleveland. Then in July 2014, he was part of the trade that brought Kevin Love to Cleveland, and sent Bennett and fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota. The power forward didn't perform that much better in Minnesota, averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Timberwolves before being bought out after the season ended.

Bennett received a third chance from his hometown Toronto Raptors, but was once again bought out after a mediocre season and multiple trips to the D-League.

"It's a mental challenge for him," said Moore, who worked with Bennett for six weeks during March and April in Vegas, where Bennett attended both Findlay Prep and UNLV.

"When he was here late March/early April he got in tremendous shape, worked really hard, coming off the Raptors where he didn't play a lot. He wasn't in great shape, but he got in great shape working out twice a day, lifting weights and doing everything that he needed to do."

In April, Bennett began working out with and against NBA Draft prospects like DeAndre' Bembry of St. Joe's, Jarrod Uthoff of Iowa and Isaiah Whitehead of Seton Hall.

"He started working out with the draft guys when they came in, playing 3-on-3 and 5-on-5," Moore said. "It was a good situation for him to work with the draft guys and show his personality. He got a lot out of that.

"He's motivated, focused and eager to work and not blaming other people, not playing the victim. He was very motivated."

Moore was impressed that Bennett seemed to overcome the mental hurdle of widely being considered a bust.

"I think it's really uncharted waters in NBA history," Moore said. "There are a lot of people from media, from high school, from whatever that are doubting him. It's a daily battle for him.

"He's gotta get back in the league. Physically he can do it all."

Tony McIntyre, the director of the Canadian-based CIA Bounce AAU team who also coached Wiggins and former Kentucky guard Jamal Murray (who shares agent Mike George with Bennett), says Bennett just needs someone to give him a chance

"He's working out hard and he's dedicated to getting picked up by an NBA team," McIntyre told The 4 Quarters Podcast. "I think he's definitely on the right track to get back into the NBA and make a splash. He just needs an opportunity, he needs the right environment, he needs the right coaching and he's going to be back fine, no problem."

Moore stressed that Bennett's skill set is valuable and he can help an NBA team.

"I think what he does is very valuable these days," he said. "He's big, strong and powerful but he also has great feet so I think being able to guard fours and threes. He can actually shoot very well, which is a valuable skill. He can play the pick-and-roll game well.

"I think he can help someone, he just needs to get on the court and get reps and get somewhere where they have a role for him, they have a position for him. I think he'll flourish."

Why has this guy failed so far in his career? He can move very well. He's strong and athletic. Did he just come out too early? This might be a good time to give this kid a look see.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/740639741771689988

CrushAlot wrote:

SocraticBallin22 wrote:In comparison to his size and agility, would you say he has a similar skill set as Draymond Green to play that kind of role (obviously he's not as cerebral and tenacious as Green is). He's still young and his skill set is intriguing; could be gotten on the cheap like D Will.

Royce White played kind of like that as well. However, I don't know if White is going to end up playing in the nba again.

Royce White has mental health issues, if I'm not mistaken. He had tons of talent.

callmened wrote:i'm not trying to come off as a hater or a negative guy but when can i put my foot down? WHEN CAN I PUT MY FOOT DOWN!?!?!?

i dont wish the guy any harm and i hope he turns his career around...but at some point i have to put my foot down!!!

THIS IS ANTHONY "FREAKING" BENNETT!!! i mean the last time we saw this guy, he ate his way out the league. His motivation was low and he couldnt beat out backups on a bad minnesota team. i never was a big fan of his at UNLV either

i know our knicks team sucks and we're looking for sleepers. i understand that we have to think outside the box. but at what point do we draw the line. we believe his life has turned around cuz he takes a picture? or because his trainer says he has been working out hard? (#FacePalm)

we might as well start talking about thabeet? darius miles and other busts?

THIS MUST STOP! lol

(disclaimer: i'm half joking, please dont take this as an insult or criticizing ideas! but for real! TONY BENNETT!! lolololl)

I was as down on Bennett as the first pick as anyone, said early on that the kid would be a bust. At the same time it looks from a distance like Bennett didn't feel sorry for himself and worked hard to get another chance in the NBA. I respect that. AB didn't ask to be the first pick, that's on Grant. Not changing my POV that Bennett was a mistake at 1, but that doesnt mean that he cant be a productive player in this league. If the price isnt too high, it looks from outward appearances like AB is worth a chance.

callmened wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

callmened wrote:i'm not trying to come off as a hater or a negative guy but when can i put my foot down? WHEN CAN I PUT MY FOOT DOWN!?!?!?

i dont wish the guy any harm and i hope he turns his career around...but at some point i have to put my foot down!!!

THIS IS ANTHONY "FREAKING" BENNETT!!! i mean the last time we saw this guy, he ate his way out the league. His motivation was low and he couldnt beat out backups on a bad minnesota team. i never was a big fan of his at UNLV either

i know our knicks team sucks and we're looking for sleepers. i understand that we have to think outside the box. but at what point do we draw the line. we believe his life has turned around cuz he takes a picture? or because his trainer says he has been working out hard? (#FacePalm)

we might as well start talking about thabeet? darius miles and other busts?

THIS MUST STOP! lol

(disclaimer: i'm half joking, please dont take this as an insult or criticizing ideas! but for real! TONY BENNETT!! lolololl)

I was as down on Bennett as the first pick as anyone, said early on that the kid would be a bust. At the same time it looks from a distance like Bennett didn't feel sorry for himself and worked hard to get another chance in the NBA. I respect that. AB didn't ask to be the first pick, that's on Grant. Not changing my POV that Bennett was a mistake at 1, but that doesnt mean that he cant be a productive player in this league. If the price isnt too high, it looks from outward appearances like AB is worth a chance.

sure. i agree. it has nothing to do with where he was drafted. he's still young and he can turn his career around. lets just say "i'll believe it when i see it". im rooting for the guy - but im not expecting much at all.

Can't blame you for feeling that way. Honestly don't know what he will do witn another chance, but it looks like he's earned one somewhere.

nixluva wrote:

crzymdups wrote:He's the Eddy Curry of small forwards. Talent is one thing. What's between the ears is another. Pass.

You have any insight on his game? I really have no idea what his deal is. I've only seen him in Youtube videos and in spot minutes in some NBA games and I have no real feel for what is wrong with his game.

He strikes me as real clumsy. Like he's not comfortable in his frame. It actually does remind me of Eddy Curry that way. Curry had some moments of grace and good footwork, but many moments where he just seemed like an overgrown kid, not all that athletic. AB seems similar. The shooting stroke has always been solid, but I don't think he has elite body control/awareness. I don't know if he wants it enough or not, but I think it might just be that he doesn't have the proper physical wiring to move his body with the precision that some of these NBA athletes have. He's got moments where he seems explosive, but far more where he seems like he's just uncomfortable moving and clumsy. When you throw in the weight problems that have plagued him... he really honestly does remind me of a mini Eddy Curry.

Like ned said - I'd never root against a kid. I hope he puts it all together. I just don't get how any NBA team looked at him and thought #1 overall pick. 2013 was a real weak draft, but I would've never taken him over Nerlens Noel or Victor Oladipo. And, no, you can't blame him for his draft position... hey, I hope he makes it.

It's like, I'm rooting hard for Cleanthony Early, too. Real hard. I like that kid. But if I'm being honest, unless he can shoot 40% from 3pt range, I don't see him sticking in the league. You need to be really good at something if you're a 6'8" forward in the NBA.