NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 24, 2020 in New York City. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Cavs Veteran Has Notable Physique Change.
There was a time when Emoni Bates was expected to be the next NBA superstar.
His God-given offensive talents made him draw comparisons to Kevin Durant, and he looked like a can’t-miss prospect.
Unfortunately, some issues off the court derailed his once-promising career, but his talent was still too big to ignore, so the Cleveland Cavaliers gave him a chance.
They got him on a two-way contract and even gave him a look a couple of times last season.
Now, it seems like the talented youngster has taken his offseason very seriously, as he’s added some serious muscle in between seasons.
Emoni Bates is jacked now
(h/t @BradeauxNBA ) pic.twitter.com/WBNwHZGZ66
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 3, 2024
Bates is just 20 years old, so he’s got plenty of untapped potential ahead of him.
He’s the kind of player who could go as far as he wants if he puts his mind to it, and it’s encouraging to see that he’s taking his preparation for the upcoming campaign so seriously.
The Cavaliers already have two 20+ points-per-game kind of guys in the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
But if Bates can turn out to be who most scouts hoped and thought he’d be when he was still in college, this team could be significantly more dangerous than it is right now.
Hopefully, he’ll stay focused and keep the main thing the main thing, as it’s always nice to see talented young players fulfill their potential.
And with a great player developer like Kenny Atkinson there, this was an encouraging sight from the Cavs’ media day.
