Stats can be deceiving this early on in the year, especially in limited minutes...but he's the #1 pick...and he's not even getting PT. Is he a bust? I have a buddy from Cleveland who's been a diehard Cavs fan forever. Here's his thoughts on Bennett: " No matter how out of shape he is, you have to play the guy. How else is he going to get in game shape if you don't play him in games? For people who have only looked at his stats (and havent watched him play), I understand why they are so quick to criticize. BUT, when you watch the guy play he is really talented with unlimited potential. Right now he is nervous, timid, overweight. Give the guy some confidence minus 20 pounds and I believe he will be AT LEAST a solid guy off the bench. There was a preseason game I watched where he dominated the whole 4th quarter and had like 20 points. I'm too stubborn to believe that was a fluke. He shows flashes of brilliance and should get some pt (maybe instead of Earl Clarke or Henry Sims) to prove himself. " discuss if you want!
Reminds me of when Marcus Morris scored 20pts in a preseason game. Even if this Bennett wasn't fat, he's not going to be a great player, certainly not what you want from your #1 pick.
If you're the Top pick, you should be contributing. The fact that he's already (!) out of the rotation is pretty damning. He looks destined to be a huge bust.
Yes Bennett will be a bust for a #1 pick. Blaming his extra weight on not playing is pathetic. The guy needs to push his fat rump away from the table and eat like an NBA player. He needs to put in extra work before and after practice and show he's willing to pay whatever price it takes to get on the floor. If asthma and sleep apnea prevent him from that, he shouldn't be in the NBA.
He makes the Kwame Brown pick look good. He is so fat that they just call Bullock Randy now. He shoots so bad that he makes Carmelo Anthony look efficient.
Too early to say, but his medical condition makes me think hell never be in shape for more than 2-3 years. Heavy asthma and casually stopping breathing when asleep puts a huge strain on the body and mind, I don't think he's fit to play in a league with 82+ games per season, daily workouts and constant travel.
It's way too early to say bust. But I never liked the pick, and I like it less now. And obviously he has health and fitness issues. Perhaps the D-league will light a fire under him.
Total bust ala Oden or Thabeet perhaps not. But he is not going to live up to his draft spot Rotational player for now
Oliver Miller just needed to lose 20 pounds too when he was drafted. Then it was 50 pounds, then 80 pounds, and then like 120 pounds. It happens.
Long term he is a bench player in the NBA. Whether or not you want to call that a bust... not what you want from your #1 overall pick.
If he wasnt so fat, he probably wouldn't be apnic. If he made some lifestyle modificiations, he could get his asthma under control. These are ridiculous reasons for not succeeding, ala Royce.
Whats the reason of his over weight? Medical condition or just lazy? Either way, if you are over weight when the season started? You are a bust.
Wasn't he a good player in college? Now, obviously being good in college doesn't mean you'll automatically be good in the NBA, but it's usually a pretty solid indicator of how one will do at the next level. How has his medical conditions impacted him now, when it didn't, back then?
My prediction on who will be a bust before the season started http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?p=8181710#post8181710 I was deffently on the money
