I disagree with the notion that he has to be an All-Star. Not every draft contains the same amount of talent, therefore it's ridiculously idiotic to expect the same thing from the top pick every year. Given we also know that no one can consistently predict the best player in NBA drafts - and Bennett's draft was a particularly difficult one to predict - then it's only logical that with the first pick the minimum requirement is NOT that the player becomes an All Star - rather, it's that the player is among the top few players in his draft class. I think Bennett can end up being that. He was extremely disappointing last season, but has picked up the pace this season and worked on his game very hard. He clearly was not prepared to enter the NBA. I think the Wolves end up trading Thaddeus Young and Bennett will get tons of minutes and will show slow progress. I can see a future Bennett being a unique/rare type of player who can drive to the basket, stretch the floor, rebound, and play excellent defense. It will take him a long time to get there, but I think it's within his reach.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Timberwolves have made former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett available via trade ahead of Thursday's NBA draft (via <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine">@ESPNSteinLine</a>).</p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/613048293040463872">June 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
well, considering as the 2013? draft had tier 3 and under talent (via chad ford) not sure what expectations were.
I think it most depends on the coaching. Yeah I know number 1 picks supposed to be game changers and play good for any coach. But coach has to be good at developing players and push them hard to their limits. Mike Brown and Flip Saunders are not those guys. Anthony Bennett needs to play for a coach who can do that. I do think Anthony Bennett has talent and be a good player in the NBA.
What team would want to take a flyer on this guy? Bennett might be the ultimate buy low guy right now...even moreso than Faried. Bennett can get into the mold of a Draymond Green, I think. AB's ceiling is probably higher, but I agree - he needs a good coach, a good team trainer and a good support system behind him.
Frontcourt of Wiggins / Bennett / Anthony-Towns has some crazy potential. T'Wolves should just hold on to him and see how the team grows.
He's a bust, pure and simple. Coaching can't put a motor like Draymond Green has into a player. The guy needs to eat right, practice long & hard and play with passion night after night if he wants to make an impact in the NBA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per a league source, Minnesota Timberwolves have discussed trading Anthony Bennett, Nos. 31 and 38 to the Boston Celtics for pick No. 28.</p>— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/613712887635427328">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yeah, it's not so much that he is a bust it's that in any other year he would've never been the number one overall. There have proved to be a few gems from that draft but overall very weak. I guess it worked our for Cleveland either way.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Correction: The discussed Wolves-Celtics is Anthony Bennett, Nos. 31 and 36 for No. 28, not Nos. 31 and 38.</p>— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/613714616833720320">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
