2013 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett was a massive disappointment in his first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting forth one of the worst rookie years ever for a top pick. Multiple factors played into Bennett's struggles, including several different physical ailments.
Anthony Bennett sees improvement following removal of tonsils
The 2013 No. 1 pick had issues breathing last season, but surgery to remove his tonsils has improved his condition and he hopes it will translate to improved play on the court.
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
One of those health problems involved issues with Bennett’s breathing, but the second-year big man hopes that will be a thing of the past. That’s because Bennett says he’s breathing easier now after undergoing surgery in May to remove his tonsils and adenoids, according to Jessica Camerato of Basketball Insiders.
Bennett, who has asthma, underwent the surgery in order to improve his sleep apnea. The result is a positive step toward Bennett becoming a more consistent contributor on the court:
“Since [having] my tonsils out, my adenoids, I have a lot more room to breathe,” Bennett said during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “It was hard, definitely, with my tonsils in. I feel like taking them out was a huge step.”
Bennett admitted his breathing issues affected him at times during his rookie season, although he tried his best to deal with it. But that condition, in addition to weight, shoulder and knee problems, were too much to overcome. The 21-year-old averaged just 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 52 games last season.
Bennett has put in a lot of work this offseason to get healthy and back into shape. The surgery to improve his respiration was a good start, and he showed up to Summer League slimmer and with improved conditioning. It showed, as he averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in Las Vegas.
Bennett knows there’s still a lot of work to be done to make his mark in the NBA. Even if he’s healthy, there remains the chance that he doesn’t live up to the billing of a No. 1 pick, or even come close. But he won’t get that chance at all if he’s not in tip-top shape, and he feels his improved health means a much better second season is on the horizon:
“You’ve always got to work hard,” Bennett said. “For me, last year I was working, I was trying to recover from the shoulder stuff, so it was a setback for me. Pushing through that, trying to get healthy conditioning-wise, everything just built up on me. I feel like right now I’m healthy, I feel good. It should be a better season for me.”
There's still a question where Bennett will be playing next season, as his name has popped up in trade rumors that would send him to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a Kevin Love trade. But wherever Bennett does play next year, he'll be breathing easier and, hopefully, playing better.
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