re: Get your seat on the ShaBus while you still can

With a somewhat healthy, committed Gordon (not getting into an argument over that) and a developing AD, there's a fairly good possibility toward the end of the season that we won't be in a position to substantially tank without obviously throwing games. Monty won't do it. And Benson > Loomis/Lauscha > Demps won't allow it. The Thunder didn't tank. They just got lucky during Durant's first year and they may have been shittier than the Hornets are this year.

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link?

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Do you have a link to prove that they did?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

No one in this thread mentioned tanking until you did.

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No one in this thread mentioned tanking until you did.

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But this certainly implies it:

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Get your seat on the ShaBus

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There have also been "tank for Shabazz" threads by the same people. Call it the elephant in the room if you will.

I watched him last night. For someone touted as a top 5 at SG/SF, I liked MKG way better than him. MKG consistently made his presence felt in a multitude of ways. He had that "It" factor I like to see. So did Damian Lillard. And, obviously, AD. But Muhammad?

Don't see a whole lot of wow in his game. Looks solid, but eh. Not at all impressed. Hell, Allen Crabbe looked more my speed last night than Shabazz did.

Maybe he'll step it up as they get more into their conference schedule.

He was off last night, still got 16 though. MKG is a more all-around contributor but Muhammad is and will be a much better scorer.

Could we not aim higher than Shabazz?

A combined 0.5 blocks/steals per game to go along with 0.8 assists and 4.7 boards Shabazz appears to be a great all around player.

But I don't really give a frick about all that.

19 ppg on 49% shooting from the field and 3-point range. Does need to improve that 75% shooting from the charity stripe, though.

I just don't know where Muhammad would play if we picked him.

It would be perfect if he could play SF but he's about 6'5", so we'd be really undersized at SF and SG.

I've been trying to learn more about Anthony Bennett lately and that guy looks like a beast to me. People seem to think he's a PF, though.

Then I read the scouting reports and they look like a SF to me:

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Draftexpress- What makes Bennett unique is how advanced he is offensively for a freshman. He's already one of the most versatile scorers you'll find in the NCAA, as he's capable of scoring inside the paint, making 3-pointers, putting the ball down attacking from the perimeter with either hand, handling the ball on the break, and making his presence felt on the offensive glass.
Also very capable of putting the ball on the floor, Bennett is an excellent ball-handler for his position. He can attack his matchup from the perimeter driving in either direction, sometimes after a shot-fake or a strong crossover. This allows him to draw fouls and get to the free throw line at a superb rate, sixth best among DX Top-100 prospects thus far. Bennett not only draws a lot of fouls, but he also converts very effectively from the free throw line, hitting 75% of his attempts so far.

Not very advanced with his back to the basket, Bennett nevertheless shows some craftiness inside the paint, utilizing floaters with soft touch and using the glass on reverse moves. His length allows him to finish with ease without even having to jump very high at times, and helps him use some very unique angles to get his shot off effectively. As he gets older, he'd be wise to continue to improve his rudimentary post game, as he has the tools to be very effective down low with combination of his quickness, strength and touch.

The place where Bennett has the most room to improve at the moment seems to be on the defensive end. He often looks like he's only going half speed here, jogging the floor lackadaisically, relaxing in his stance whenever he can, and losing his focus easily. He regularly gives up deep post position to opposing big men without putting up much of a fight, and loses track of his matchup relatively frequently off the ball. Like many young players, Bennett's fundamentals are fairly poor on this end of the floor, and his intensity leaves a lot to be desired at times. Maximizing his conditioning-level could help here.

With that said, Bennett's talent does shine through on this end of the floor as well on occasion, as he's capable of making some very impressive plays with his terrific combination of length, strength, explosiveness and quickness. He can move his feet well, is very difficult to shoot over when he's dialed in, and has solid anticipation skills blocking shots and getting his hands on loose balls.

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So he excels at attacking off the dribble, can handle with both hands and shoot the 3. He has no post game and isn't much of a post defender, but slides his feet well when guarding on the perimeter. So how is this guy not the perfect SF?

As long as he can guard the perimeter, I'm in. He's shooting 55%, frick yeah