Cavs’ Mike Brown on Anthony Bennett: ‘I’m not going to give him a free pass’
By Ryan Donoho - Jan 25th, 2014 at 8:29 am Previous Next
Dec 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Anthony Bennett reacts during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Bennett is on pace to have the worst rookie season of any number one pick. To be fair to Bennett, he’s on a pretty bad team, and the Cavs refuse to send him to the D-League to get reps and minutes.
In last night’s blowout win over the Bucks, Bennett came in and had two points on 0/4 shooting and three fouls in five minutes of action.
That sure doesn’t sound like a number one pick.
Cavs’ coach Mike Brown has been on the hot seat all season, and he knows that every game could determine his fate. Brown also isn’t taking a light stance on his rookie forward. Via The Cleveland Plain Dealer:
“For me right here, this guy is going to succeed for us,” Brown said. “And I want touch him and feel him and much as possible.”
He’s our top pick. He’s the No. 1 pick in the draft, so he’s going to get plenty of opportunity. I’m going to give him plenty of opportunity. But, as you can see, I’m not going to give him a free pass.”
So they say he’s going to succeed, but they won’t send him to the D-League, and they won’t give him minutes if he messes up. That’s not a brilliant strategy. The D-League has been a useful tool for many teams and players, and the lack of willingness to send Bennett down seems stubborn and ignorant from both sides. This pick may end up haunting Cleveland for years to come.
Anthony is rumored to be opting out of his deal with the Knicks, and the growing speculation is that he wants to play for coach Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls won’t let the rumors distract them. “They’ve gotten used to you guys,’’ Thibodeau said sarcastically on Saturday. “It’s really the challenge of the league. ‘‘When you lay out your plan at the beginning of the season, you talk about all the things that crop up during a season. There are always injuries, trades, things going your way, things not going your way, the schedule, early games, late games, back-to-back games. There’s all that stuff. Chicago Sun-Times - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.XrxlHxK6.dpuf
In as entertaining a contest as the Air Canada Centre has seen in years, the teams played high-octane, all-out offensive basketball, but the undermanned Raptors came up short 126-118 despite a franchise-record-tying 51 points by Ross. And, in the end, though frustrated to lose, even the famously defensive-minded Raptors head coach couldn’t help but marvel at what went on. “For the fans it was a great exhibition of basketball,” Casey said. “The young man, Terrence, picked it up. We lose DeMar (DeRozan) and put on a heck of a display. Not only did he have 51 points, he had nine rebounds which was huge too.” Toronto Sun - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.XrxlHxK6.dpuf
I have a GS Terrence Ross rookie Auto/Jersey on eBay. After a few cycles at $10 with no bids I knew when it went up to $20.50 with 10 watchers within 24 hours something must have happened
@Rusty_SFChron: Creator of the nickname "Splash Brothers" (@Wittnessed) watched Steph Curry make 94 of 100 3's in practice. How many will he make tonight?
Chris Mannix: Cleveland loses, and Anthony Bennett picks up another DNP-CD. Rival execs continue to be mystified at why Cavs don't demote him. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.GhIdaJh7.dpuf
i guess that poses the question... has any nba #1 overall draft pick ever been demoted to the d-league? even for a few games?
it might just be a pride thing... the team not wanting to admit it has seemingly made an error? i mean the kid was gobsmacked when he was chosen #1 overall... no way he was expecting it because certainly nobody else was
i guess that poses the question... has any nba #1 overall draft pick ever been demoted to the d-league? even for a few games?
it might just be a pride thing... the team not wanting to admit it has seemingly made an error? i mean the kid was gobsmacked when he was chosen #1 overall... no way he was expecting it because certainly nobody else was
No number one pick has been "demoted". Pride is one thing, but you won't have a career to be proud of if you don't swallow your pride now before the situation gets worse.