NBA: 6 sophomores looking to step up in 2014-15

Anthony Bennett

Though he likely won’t be able to win over Cleveland fans (about to be shipped to either Minnesota or Philadelphia as part of the Kevin Love trade, or so the word goes), Bennett can do a lot this season to erase the stain of being one of the least productive top overall picks in recent memory. Certainly, last year wasn’t entirely his fault. Injured to start the season, playing for a team rife with internal dissension and a coach who seemed almost determined to destroy his confidence, the situation was far from ideal.

Still, Bennett himself was the culprit for much of his struggles, many of which arose from his poor conditioning.  In Las Vegas this summer, a noticeably svelter and fitter Bennett showed some of the explosive speed and power which made him a lottery pick a year earlier. In either Minnesota or Philadelphia, he’ll be allowed to play through mistakes to a much greater degree than he was in his inaugural campaign, as neither team will have any real playoff aspirations. In that setting, Bennett must show the inside-outside game for which he was drafted to ensure his ability to stay in the NBA long term.