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Cavaliers have no plans of sending Anthony Bennett to D-League

Friday night's game between the Cavaliers and the Bucks saw top overall pick Anthony Bennett struggle yet again.

Through five minutes, Bennett scored two points, went 0-for-4 from the field, committed three personal fouls, surrendered one turnover, and finished with a plus-minus of minus-nine.

If you didn't think an assignment to the D-League would be good for Bennett beforehand, Friday's performance should be enough to convince you otherwise.

But while a stint in the D-League could help Bennett regain his confidence, provide him with regular playing time, and allow him to work on his shot in a less-competitive environment, the Cavaliers have no plans of sending the first overall pick to their exclusive D-League affiliate in Canton.

Head coach Mike Brown told the Akron Beacon Journal Online that Cleveland "hasn't had any serious discussions" of sending Bennett to the D-League, largely because "he wants to keep him around the team for the scouting reports, the practice plans and the extra work."

The fact Bennett is a first overall pick likely has something to do with this. Never before has a top pick from the NBA Draft been assigned to the D-League, and doing so could be considered an admission of failure. This theory is also support by comments Brown made regarding second-year players Tyler Zeller (drafted 17th overall) and Dion Waiters (drafted fourth overall).

"I'd probably send Tyler down [to Canton] before I sent Dion down," said Brown before making it clear neither player was in danger of demotion. "One guy is the fourth pick in the draft and you have visions of thinking, 'This guy can help us sooner than later.'

"This guy [Bennett] is going to succeed for us. I want to touch him and feel him as much as possible."

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