Anthony Bennett gets first NBA start
The public address announcer spoke Anthony Bennett’s name before the game even started the other night, so it would appear a change of pro basketball scenery is doing the former UNLV star some good.
Bennett started an NBA game for the first time Saturday, scoring 10 points with seven rebounds and four assists in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 131-117 loss at Dallas. Bennett was starting for Thaddeus Young, who sat out for personal reasons.
Last year’s surprise No. 1 overall draft pick (by the Cleveland Cavaliers) finally got himself into playing shape over the summer and is averaging 14.3 minutes for the T-Wolves off the bench. He’s shooting 53 percent from the field, which is way, way better than what he shot last year (36 percent) in 52 games for the Cavaliers.
Bennett hasn’t totally lived up to his upside yet, but he’s still only 21. People aren’t saying he’s the worst first draft pick since LaRue Martin anymore. Except maybe people in Cleveland.
Former Bishop Gorman and UCLA standout Shabazz Muhammad also played 14 minutes against the Mavericks, scoring 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Muhammad is young, too, only 22.
A report out of Minnesota said Bennett has a sore knee and is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Rockets. It also said it was cold outside.
