LaRue Martin knows how Anthony Bennett feels when he sees his name atop those ignominious annual lists of all-time draft busts.
Back in 1972, LaRue Martin was the surprise No. 1 pick in the National Basketball Association draft. He played four undistinguished seasons for Portland before he was traded to Seattle and then waived. He had offers to play in Europe, but Martin chose retirement.
It hurt. There were tears. He struggled for a time with drinking. But Martin forged a life. Today, at 66, Martin's had a long and successful career with United Parcel Service in Chicago. Along the way he got to know a young Illinois state senator, Barack Obama.
"Every year when the draft comes up," said Martin, "I'm called the worst draft choice, the biggest bust. It took me years to overcome that. I was very disappointed in not producing as the No. 1 draft choice. I didn't get enough playing time. But if you're drafted No. 1, it goes to show, you're doing something right. You can play."
The 2016 NBA draft takes place Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn where, three years ago, the now NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers chose Bennett at No. 1. He was the first Canadian to top the draft. It shocked everyone: Young players are drafted largely on potential, but only Cleveland saw No. 1 in Bennett. And, like Martin before him, Bennett was unable to live up to expectations.
That 2013 draft class was weak. The consensus was that Bennett would likely be picked between fourth and seventh. In 2 1/2 NBA seasons, he didn't play well, didn't see much court time, and was slowed by injuries and so-so fitness. He bounced between three teams and, in February, was waived by his hometown Toronto Raptors.
It is among the most spectacular downfalls of any top pick in any sport.
Bennett, however, is fighting to get back into the NBA. When he recently joined Canada's national team, he looked like he was in the best shape of his career. He scored 21 points in 22 minutes in an exhibition against Croatia on Monday.
"He's done a lot of growing up," said close friend and manager Randy Osei.
In late May and early June, Bennett played well at free-agent camps for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. His agent, Mike George, expects his client will receive a contract offer with an NBA team as free agency plays out in July.
"One hundred per cent, he'll get a contract, that's not a question," said George.
Bennett's future in the NBA may be to follow a path already established by Tristan Thompson, another Canadian drafted high by the Cavaliers. Cleveland chose Thompson No. 4 in 2011, above forecasts of around eighth or ninth.
Thompson ground toward success. He focused on defence and rebounds. He's been healthy, too – in the past four seasons he hasn't missed a single game. The ultimate reward came last Sunday in Game 7 of the NBA finals, when the Cavs, led by LeBron James, won the NBA title. Thompson was a key factor on defence, helping to contain Stephen Curry and others, and was a forceful rebounder.
"Be relentless on the glass," Thompson said after Game 6, when he grabbed 16 rebounds. "That's my job."
To Dave Smart, an assistant coach for Team Canada, Bennett needs to narrow the scope of his game, like Thompson did.
Thompson, at 6-foot-9, plays centre for Cleveland, and Smart thinks Bennett, at 6-foot-8, could fit in similarly for a team. Thompson is not a shooter. Bennett has a solid shot, which Smart feels distracts him.
"I love Anthony, but he's got to find the right place," said Smart. "The biggest problem is he can make the three. The more he hangs out there, the more it hurts his game. He's so good around the basket."
It's also a matter of experience and always going hard, said Mike Peck, who coached both Thompson and Bennett in high school at Findlay Prep near Las Vegas. For the Raptors, Bennett lacked the necessary intensity.
"Tristan's got that motor," said Peck. "When he plays, you can see that. Tristan has been playing since childhood. It's not the same for Anthony." Bennett got a late start, in his early teens. "Everything's been on fast-forward for Anthony," said Peck.
Bennett needs a shot, and time to build his game. Martin, in the 1970s, never got that shot. In his best season, he averaged 17 minutes and seven points per game. In Bennett's second season, in Minnesota, he averaged 16 minutes and five points. In Toronto he sat on the bench, not playing at all more often than not.
"When a person is the No. 1 draft choice and you don't get that much playing time, you can't produce," said Martin.
Bennett has a reputation to overcome.
"He's fighting a label," said Peck. "I hate to say it, but a lot of people say 'bust.' Perceptions can dominate. It'll be a challenge for him to break out of it."
David Ebner