Hoops

Rumour :Anthony Bennett to the Kings

The default answer from JvG and Gaze I think was "we would love to have him back" but that he is also trying to get back into the NBA, so it all depends, if he actually DOES want to return, how realistic he is about his chances as to how long the Kings would have to wait, I guess...

Hopefully they're still actively pursuing him (if they can afford him) but still have a plan in place if he doesn't work out... If there's no chance of him coming back, I'd rather all parties just be upfront about it so all the fans can move on, as most didn't think he was a chance to come back last season, so there are those (me included) that have the unrealistic hopes that he could come back next season...

I was wondering about that too.
But I think what someone said about waiting to hear on NBA options probably meant they couldn't wait that long for him. I don't think anyone would have the leftover dosh for him to come back now anyway....

I'm still waiting to hear some or any news from Gaze, JVG or the Kings on Childress resigning with the Kings. He would of been my 1st priority after Lisch.

Too lazy to check, but pretty sure Boti put something on Twitter about it a day or two ago, too.

Thanks asics, get mixed up with all the info you read online.

^^^^

Boti hasn't said anything. The news came from Olgun Uluc: https://twitter.com/OlgunUluc/status/722719975300014080

Boti now saying no Bennett in the NBL.

Praise little baby Jesus, someone actually used the "ee" :)

Just some background to that "factoring in", it was always best case scenario... Limiting the marquee player rule to only local players would have helped put a nail into that coffin, although I had a little window after the new owners took over and said they'd be investing heavily into the team that I thought our chances improved, but even if he WAS keen, if he got through the D-league healthy, if he still was thinking about the NBA, he would have left his decision a lot later than what I think the team should have been comfortable with...

I think Childress saying he wouldn't be back was his gut feeling based on the team's results and his own injury issues.

Right now I doubt they could afford him anyway

"Childress saying he probably wouldn't be back last season was what meant the end of Childress"

When did he say that? It was reported he had an option to come back and prior to the Gaze/Lisch signings that diehard Kings fan Wookiee was factoring him into next seasons plans.

Here I was thinking Jawai would be the last fat useless player a team took a chance on

@proud, I think you may have got confused with my post in the Hawks Announcement thread that stated that Anthony Bennett was seen at Novotel Wollongong saying he was looking for a smaller market to regain his love for the game.

Childress saying he probably wouldn't be back last season was what meant the end of Childress

I would've thought spending $300k on Lisch meant the end of Childress?

My point was I read either in the newspaper or on Boti that Bennett had lost his love for the game and was looking for a smaller market to perhaps refind his love for the game.

If he found that and brought fans in to watch him and then got some of his NBA mates down here then that would be better than having Childress bringing blokes in past their prime...

That's all I'm getting at, maybe having him and Childress and an import PG could be the way to go with this team

Throws down a powerful dunk!

The dramatic statement was in reply to some other numbnut claiming the Bennet could redisciver his love for the game in SYD. Was being sarcastic.

Has Rodney O been contacted for comment? And is Iverson still in the picture?

It's being reported by 'sources' on Real GM now

@498

Worst case is that the Kings actually suck big time and no one goes to their games, because they are basically an import down.

fan base in Sydney lose their love for the game

For all his short comings in the NBA, pretty sure he would (well should) tear the NBL a new arsehole if he come down here.

Worst case it'll keep the US media spotlight on Australian hoops, as they love to see & report on this guy failing at any opportunity....

AKA speaks the truth....

Bennet wasn't that good at UNLV. He was picked up at number 1 due to potential and not output.

Proud I dont care less about his love for the game. Worst case is that the Kings actually suck big time and no one goes to their games, because they are basically an import down. The worst case is the NBL fan base in Sydney lose their love for the game. This is a risky move, he had no right playing in the NBA, not because he was a bad guy or anything he just sucked at the game of Basketball.

You could argue they were - asthma was apparently quite a big factor in his conditioning woes.

I'm a Cavs fan and well aware of how disappointing he was in the NBA, but being good in the NBA is not a measurement for how good a guy would be in the NBL. He's a nimble 6'9 with strength, and could be devastating in this league if he brings the right attitude.

He was rated a lottery pick before the clueless Cavs made him number 1 overall. Then shows up out of shape. So definitely could play in college, ala Johnny Flynn but was neither a small or power forward and having the pressure of being number 1 overall screwed him up. Now the baggage that follows him will always bring up red flags in terms of mind set. Going to Minnesota was supposed to take pressure off as was going to Raptors. If he signs in nbl, good luck to him but press would be that it's where washed up unwanted nba players go to get a game. More risk than reward, if he has bad 1st couple of games then he'd be lucky to get a game with Eastern.
Worst number 1 pick of all time since injuries weren't a factor in his play.

"But remember according to this site the NBL is wayyyy better quality than college basketball lol"

I am not sure why you are mocking with that statement. Most players in college will not go on to play the game professionally. Many college players come to the NBL and are eaten alive. As a standard, the NBL is better. However, there are those 1 in 100 kids who are good enough to play top-flight Europe or NBA. No, we do not have them. However, they are the exception and the reason they stand out so much on a college floor is because the standard once you get past the better teams best 5, is not all that high.

Bennett is a number one draft pick. He wasn't picked number one because he can't play. He obviously has some intangibles that don't come around everyday. I think you'd be mad not to sign him if you could afford him. He is still young. He still has time to improve. He still has time to work on the basketball IQ etc.

Publicity stunt or not, if we can give him back his love for basketball and he ends up returning to the NBA then that puts the NBL in a nice light...

Worst that could happen is Garlepp gets more minutes.

JVG has just left Oz to recruit, so one would expect a decent import or 3.
If that doesn't happen replace Hudson with JVG.

I don't think he was THAT good at college, every man and his dog was surprised he went number 1! Again this is a publicity stunt, cant seem to see it any other way. Bennett is awkwardly bad at Basketball. Massive risk for a team in a city looking for immediate impact.

Bennett was an amazing player at college. Struggled to show any kind of consistency as a professional player to date.

But remember according to this site the NBL is wayyyy better quality than college basketball lol

He was a decent college player once upon a time.

What mojo? He didn't have any to start with! Overweight, breathing difficulties, wreaks of a publicity stunt.

Would be interesting to see what level he would be at in the NBL, was solid in the Americas Championship for Canada, scored at a good clip and rebounded well.

A bit of a gamble though just because it's been a long time since he played consistently good basketball. Maybe he'll have a bee in his bonnet and rediscover his mojo.

Great combination of size & strength, but low basketball IQ and shoots too many 3s for the clip he hit them at (at the NBA distance, anyhow).

Doubt this ends up being true, anyway.

AJ Ogilvy has signed with Besiktas in Turkey, the team the Brad Newley played for (and allegedly had trouble getting money out of) in the Turkish BEKO and Eurocup.

I believe Besiktas are in the qualifiers to again play in the Eurocup next season.