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
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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.
6/10/2016 12:05 PM
