November 23 1988
The former third overall pick of the 1985 draft, Benoit Benjamin, battles with veteran Bill Cartwright down low in an early season matchup between the LA Clippers and the visiting Chicago Bulls. Benoit commanded the painted area of this game, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and a game high 5 blocks against the rising Bulls. On the other side, Cartwright scored an efficient 22 and grabbed 8 boards, providing more than what was usually asked of him during his time in Chicago.
Prior to being traded to Chicago in exchange of Charles Oakley, Bill Cartwright was the original Center in New York before the arrival of Patrick Ewing. Taken with the 3rd overall pick in the 1979 Draft, Cartwright was great right out of the gate, averaging 21.7 points and 8.9 rebounds his rookie year, being voted to the All-Star game-the one and only time in his career. From 1980 to 1984, Cartwright averaged 17.9 points and 7.6 rebounds, providing quality minutes at Center in the Big Apple. However, foot injuries began to take its toll on the University of San Francisco graduate, and with the arrival of Ewing, Cartwright had to settle for a bench role. This paved the way for a trade offer to Chicago, where he would slide in as the starting Center for a rising foe in the East, headlined by Michael Jordan.
Players drafted behind Cartwright in the 1979 Draft: Sidney Moncrief, Mark Eaton, Bill Laimbeer, Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson, Calvin Natt, Jim Paxson, and Kyle Macy. Cartwright retired tied for the most seasons of a player in the draft class (15 seasons with Charles Jones), 3rd in points (behind Magic Johnson and Bill Laimbeer) and 6th in scoring average.
Benoit Benjamin, 24 at the time of this video, had his best season during the 88-89 season of his 15 year career- not many people probably remember him sticking around that long-with averages of 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. It was all he could do to re-pay the Clippers by having his best season with them, after LA drafted him ahead of Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Joe Dumars, Xavier McDaniel, Charles Oakley, Detlef Schrempf, Terry Porter, and A.C. Green, among others in the '85 draft. Benjamin got a bad rep by fans and broadcasters alike for his "poor attitude" best highlighted by one of Dick Vitale's worst moments as an announcer: "He has a double zero on his back, but he should add another zero. I give him a zero for his offensive attitude, a zero for his defensive attitude, and a zero for his mental attitude ... he’s an absolute, flat-out disgrace to everyone that’s ever worn a basketball uniform.” Damn Dick! Nowadays good ole Dickie would have to apologize for those remarks, but it was 1988, and people sided with his opinion rather than Benjamin's servicable career as a decent-to-good starting C. He is still the leading leader of blocks in L.A. Clippers history, whether you think that's because of Benoit's defensive prowess or how low the Clippers franchise history is, the facts are facts: you don't stick around in the NBA for 15 years for no reason. (almost was 16-he was the last man cut in training camp for the 2000 Lakers team in favor for a just out of retirement John Salley).
Still love ya Mr. Vitale. Former Rutherford High School head coach in Jersey.
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