2. Antonio Blakeney
Antonio Blakeney is the living embodiment of a player that was too good for his own good.
Blakeney averaged 17.2 points per game in his sophomore year at LSU before declaring for the NBA Draft. Despite going undrafted, his confidence remained unwavered Blakeney went on to have possibly the best G League season of all-time.
With the Windy City Bulls, he averaged 32 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Blakeney’s early success led many Bulls fans to believe he had the potential to be a lightning rod of offensive potential off the bench. Unfortunately, he never quite adapted as well as hoped.
Blakeney’s selfish style of ball carried him through high school, college and the G League. When you are much more athletic and naturally talented than your competition for the entirety of your playing career, running into a brick wall of NBA caliber talent is going to hurt.
And boy, did it hurt. Instead of realizing he’d have to switch his game if he wants to succeed in the big league, Blakeney tried forcing it more and more. To put this in context, he averaged almost as many shot attempts per game (6.9) as passes made per game (7.6). He also received nearly twice as many passes (13.5) as he made to his teammates.
Blakeney has the talent to become a staple in the league. He truly does. But not as long as he continues to be a complete and utter black hole on the offensive end while not giving anything back on defense.
Shaq Harrison will likely consume Blakeney’s role next season with his team-first mentality. With one too many players currently on the roster, Blakeney looks the most likely candidate to go on the chopping block. The Chicago Bulls shouldn’t miss him.