NBA fans love to pretend they’re general managers. Predicting which players a team should add to their roster in the off-season, analyzing which newcomers have the tools to one day become all-stars and scouting which college players are fit for the NBA are all looking-glass gambles NBA junkies love to take.
However, so called “hoops experts’ also love to throw out the ‘B’ word: bust– the term given to a young player who doesn’t meet the standard of play one his position in the draft should. And this year, fans have used the term loosely with the 2013-14 NBA rookies.
Victim A: Anthony Bennett, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers– The Cavs shocked the NBA community as they selected Canadian-born Bennett first overall in this year’s draft. Though a phenomenal athlete, Bennett lacked the glamour for which the likes of shot-blocking phenom Nerlens Noel or energy-spark plug Victor Oladipo were beloved in the NCAA community. And to start the season, Bennett has proven his doubter’s right: with an underwhelming stat line of 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, along with a pitiful 22.4 field goal percentage, Bennett has received the “B” word– but is it warranted? At only 20 years old, Bennett’s best days of basketball are undoubtedly ahead of him. Furthermore, he’s a hard player to coach–not because of his attitude, but because of his unique skill set. He’s got the skills of a small forward but at 6’8, 260, he’s got the bulk of a power forward. So, coaches are going to have to figure out at which position he can put his skill and athleticism to be the most effective player he can be. It’s not fair to call him a bust yet.
Victim B: Alex Len, Center, Phoenix Suns- Out of Maryland, many expected Len to be a top three pick. He has ideal size at 7’0, 255 lbs. and is a very skilled player in the post. However, he has struggled to find playing time with 2012 first rounder Miles Plumlee’s explosive emergence at the center position. Struggling to gain full strength in his surgically repaired ankle, Len has only seen the floor four times this year. However, it’s still too early to be justified in calling him a bust because he has not been provided with enough opportunity to prove himself.
Victim C: Shabazz Muhammad, Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves: Muhammad slipped considerably in draft stock as time drew closer to draft night, and he ended up being selected 14th overall by the Utah Jazz–who traded him to the Timberwolves to acquire Trey Burke. Although his stock had plummeted, he was still seen as a good fit with the Timberwolves because of his natural ability to score the ball–something Minnesota desperately needed to complement Kevin Love. However, he’s put up a mere point per contest thus far. He, too, has been whipped with the “b” word– and his, too, is not yet warranted because of lack of opportunity.
The adjustment from college ball to the NBA atmosphere is an extremely difficult to make, and it separates the boys from the men. It’s an adjustment very few players smoothly make as soon as they enter the league, evident in practice, which is why they often see little playing time when they first enter the league. Growing pains need to be endured in one form or another by every rookie in the league, so it is absolutely unfair to call a player a “bust” unless they have underwhelmed despite frequent, consistent opportunity in the settings that fit them best.
