When Anthony Bennett was selected number one overall in this year's NBA draft and became the first Canadian to be chosen at that position. In college he was a "beast," bullying smaller opponents and stepping beyond the arc against seven-footers and hitting shots with pin point accuracy. During the NBA preseason he looked set for a solid start to the season after scoring 16 points and grabbing 4 rebounds against the Orlando Magic. But once the regular season began, he fell into a slump and to date after seven games in, the rookie has only scored 7 points.
But to be fair the Cleveland Cavaliers isn't very suitable for the former UNLV star. With Kyrie Irving running the point guard position one would have thought that this would be the perfect pick and roll partner for the talent guard. However Coach Mike Brown hasn't been doing this kid any favours, he's not been given enough minutes to showcase his talents and this may be putting a mental strain on the 6' 8' forward. If you are allotted just only 5 to 10 minutes in a game more than likely you will try to do everything to secure a spot. And this is the problem, when Bennett chimes in; it's obvious that he want to do well but things just aren't going his way. I say let the kid play and you will see the full potential of the Canuck. Now do I dear say? I know it's on the minds' of basketball lovers out there but could he be a draft bust. I think not or at least I hope not. I believe he is not suited for the Cavaliers and he will be shipped out at the end o his rookie contract. Funny enough Toronto would be a nice fit for him but that's only a dream and a conversation for another day. There are certain pressures that come with being the number one pick and Bennett's story is similar to Neil Yakupov's. The Russian beat his North American contenders to nab the first spot and is trying to find his footing in a foreign world.
Bennett is a Canadian who took the number one position in a primarily American dominated sport and he too is trying to find his way. The irony of it all is; it was a Canadian who invented the sport. James Naismith a physical education came up with idea as way to keep his students active throughout the winter months, but back to Bennett.
To be fair and this is no knock on Bennett's talent as the 2013 draft wasn't that deep in comparison to drafts of the past. In the 2003 draft, several players from that class went on to become superstars, with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Bosh leading the pack. The future of the NBA was promised to be exciting once again.
All these players had the time on the court to show their worth and talent. Coach Mike Brown needs to run a couple of plays for the kid so he can find some rhythm and not just be thrown into the game at haphazard moments.
Number one picks are looked upon to change a franchise, either by putting the team on their back or learning from the vets for a year or two before eventually taking the reins. With the Cleveland Cavs, it's neither, for one it's a young team and they already have a budding superstar in Kyrie Irving. And really I don't see him fitting in unless the coach makes a concentrated effort to incorporate his talents with the court general Irving.
It's apparent that it's not going to happen for now and my theory is being solidified with each game he plays. Yes, it's early in the season I know but come on, he's the number one pick and has just played only 76 minutes in his last 7 games. That's ridiculous; Michael Carter-Williams was drafted 11th by Philadelphia76ers and has 293 minutes of playing time.
I hope there will be a change soon and we will see the efficient game we know he can produce. It is clear that the NBA is a whole new ball game but at the end of the day this kid can make buckets, even in the NBA and that's what the game is all about, buckets!
