OT Minnesota progressing on contract buyout with former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett.

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, Sep 21, 2015.

  1. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    In addition to the obvious physical advantages, Aldridge had more rebounds and blocks and played in a much tougher conference. That is what I would have looked at. Regarding build, I also would not have drafted Derrick Williams for exactly the same reason. Undersized power forwards who specialize in scoring almost never succeed. If I'm looking at Bennett's trajectory it looks a lot more like Williams than Millsap.

    If Bennett was a great defender then I might consider it more, but he isn't. I will say that I think there is a place in the NBA for a tweener who can hit the three and defend. That just isn't the case here.
     
  2. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    I thought of Williams as well in terms of a comparison. There are definitely some similarities between the two. But I think Bennett is better suited for posting up, and Williams is better from the perimeter. But you are right about being leery about undersized PF's.

    I still think Bennett can be a good NBA player, but because he is a tweener......he may not be suited as a starter. The key is Jay Triano, what does he know about Bennett mental make up? Can AB get past the stigma of being a mistake as the #1 pick, and just work his ass off to help a team win? Cause he has talent.
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2015
  3. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    BTW, I agree--Derrick Williams is the perfect comparison for Anthony Bennett--a tweener PF who has physical tools, but not in the right combo to be an impactful player. Some Blazer fans (including myself, I must admit) wanted him as a potential return on a Batum sign-and-trade 3 years ago. He wouldn't have been worth that deal, and Bennett likely wouldn't be worth whatever we would have to give him (specifically including playing time).
     
  4. Hobbesarable

    Hobbesarable Cartoon Character

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    This. Bring him in and see how he does during camp.
     
  5. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

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    http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2015/09/northwest-notes-bennett-waiters-leonard.html

    Can't imagine we'd claim him if we didn't trade for him.
     
  6. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    Eastoff likes this.
  7. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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  8. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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  9. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to imply we wouldn't try to sign him. Just that it seems unlikely we, or anyone, would claim him off of waivers.
     
  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Yeah. I'm sure he'll land somewhere. He's still really young and he has talent. Hell, I'd want him if we weren't completely full up on young bigs.
     
  11. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    Wish we could help him get to Toronto, for a price.
     
  12. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    no one wants him for $6 mil/year. Someone, including possibly us, will want him on the cheap.
     
  13. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Probably could.... but wouldn't be able to trade him for a few months.
     
  14. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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  15. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    I'm convincing myself that it would be a mistake to let go of Alexander for Bennett (if that is the choice they have to make).

    Bennett is 22, Alexander 19. Alexander obviously has the superior physical dimensions.

    Compare their freshman years in college (per 40 to equalize):

    Bennett 22 pts (53%); 12 reb; 1.8 block BPM 5+3=8
    Alexander: 16 pts (57%); 12 reb; 3.0 block BPM 3+5=8

    Bennett is the better offensive player, Alexander the better defender.

    I don't care if they get Bennett, but I really don't want them to cut Alexander to do so unless they see some major flaw in him.
     
  16. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Yeah, and it would suck to cut Frazier because that's Dame's best friend on the team.
     
  17. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    I was trying to look for a good comp for Alexander based on height, length, skillset and weight. The closest comparison is Amare, who is a bit taller, but has a shorter standing reach.

    I saw in an interview that Cliff thinks that is who his game is like. Not many players that short with that big a reach that weigh over 230 lbs.
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2015
  18. Norman Dale

    Norman Dale Hickory Huskers Coach

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    I don't think the Blazers want to be on the hook for Bennett's 5.8 mill this season so that they can keep a major portion of their cap space, which I think is around 17 mill. They didn't trade for Bennett as they would have taken on his salary and they won't pick him up off the waiver wire because if they did, they would have to pay his salary this year. I believe they will let him clear waivers and then due to his relationship with our coaches, he will sign a min contract. Minny will have to pay his entire salary this year and then he makes another mill off us. The Blazers then cut Miller, Pressey and Montero, giving them a chance to see what they have this year with their bigs. They could always make a trade with some of the older players, like Kaman and Henderson, but they might as well let their contacts expire at the end of the year to give them even more space next summer. Either way, can't wait for the season to start next week!
     
  19. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Great Avatar!
     
  20. Charcoal Filtered

    Charcoal Filtered Writing Team

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    My guess is that his agent negotiated the buyout to be about what the team he wants to go to is offering. I have not seen enough from him to get excited about. Doubt he gets claimed at his price.
     

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