Something can be said for getting a little help from your friends, even when it comes to scoring your first NBA bucket in preseason action.
Just ask top overall 2013 NBA Draft pick Anthony Bennett who scored his first 2 points in the Association on a dunk, with the help of teammate Jarrett Jack.
Jack, who was a former key member of the Warriors, was acquired by Cleveland this Summer to help provide insurance for the oft injured Kyrie Irving and provide another scoring option.
On a breakaway drive by guard CJ Miles, Jack comes up with an errant shot and drops a perfect behind-the-back dime to the Cavs’ prized big man, who promptly dunks the rock for his first 2 points in the NBA.
In the 99-87 Cavaliers victory over the Bucks, Bennett played a total of 23 minutes, racking up 7 points and 10 boards, but shot a miserable 2-12 from the field, committed 5 fouls, and had 4 turnovers.
On the other side of the ball, Milwaukee rookie Giannis Antekokounmpo, the # 15 overall pick from Greece, had an impressive debut, scoring 14 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in 29 minutes at shooting guard.
Tuesday’s debut by Bennett was his first game preseason action after having off-season shoulder surgery after his lone collegiate season at UNLV, where he averaged 16.1 ppg, 8.1 reb, 1.2 blks, shot .533% from the field, and .375% from behind the arc.
Bennett, the first Canadian born #1 overall NBA pick, will play a key roll in the Cavaliers’ rebuilding efforts, alongside other young core players Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters.
Check out #1 pick Anthony Bennett’s First NBA Points:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.