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Young Buck: Bucks take Brandon Jennings 10th

Brandon Jennings: fashionably late

No one in the draft scared me more than Brandon Jennings...so naturally he's now a Buck.  As one of the highest risk/reward guys in the draft, Jennings was scary to pick and equally scary to pass on.  Having played only sporadically for Roma in his year abroad, Jennings has been the draft's biggest mystery man, and only after his performance Monday against Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson, and Jeff Teague did he seem to become a major part of the Bucks' draft discussion.  Here's what we do know:

  • Jennings' European stats aren't remotely impressive, but given how many 19 year old Americans have played in Europe, it's tough to tell how damning that really is.  Still, John Hollinger's translated numbers are "awful" and Ty's analysis also gave him the thumbs down.  Yes, I'm concerned about this.
  • Jennings' talents--even if unrefined--are undeniable.  Though not big (6'1", 170), he's probably got the best first step in the draft and can jump out of the gym.  And yes, he showed he could play in high school, averaging 35.5 ppg and 7.5 apg while garnering Parade Player of the Year honors as a senior at Oak Hill. 
  • Andy Katz reported the Bucks had Flynn ranked higher on their board, but went with Jennings after Flynn went sixth to Minnesota.  Interestingly, Skiles has been mentioned as championing Jennings' cause with the Bucks which is...well, surprising.  On some level it's reassuring, because if Skiles likes him then he might not be as risky as we think.  Or Skiles might just be a terrible talent evaluator.
  • What now with Ramon Sessions?  The Bucks are no doubt shopping Luke Ridnour hard right now, and moving him soon would certainly clarify things a bit.  Short-term Sessions still seems like the obvious starter if he comes back, as Jennings doesn't seem to have the polish needed to get major minutes for Skiles right now.  Long-term is less clear--obviously the Bucks didn't pick Jennings to be a career back-up, and Sessions is still just 23 years old.  That could make for some awkwardness down the road, but if Sessions can be had for good value then there's no reason not to bring him back and let the two guys fight it out.
  • Even if the Bucks let Charlie Villanueva walk, they won't be lacking in the new media-embracing-athlete department.  Jennings kept a very interesting blog while in Rome and tweets prolifically as well.  I'm sure that's what won over Scott Skiles.
  • In terms of making a splash and generating interest, Jennings fits the bill.  Given his brash style on and off the court and unique backstory, Jennings should spark about as much initial interest as anyone picked 10th overall.
  • The more I think about the more I appreciate the Bucks' willingness to roll the dice.  We always say how the draft is usually the only means of acquiring star players, so there's a lot to be said for going after one of the few guys with superstar potential.  Is he Allen Iverson?  Is he Tony Parker?  Is he Sebastian Telfair?  We'll have to wait a while to know for sure.

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Brandon Jennings

Another wasted year!!! should have traded up for Hill, we don’t need a point guard!! Sessions is doing alright, why get Jennings? we need a power forward, and a small forward! Charlie V, and Alexander both could have been trade to get hill, (throw in Danny G, no compensation needed) Redd, also could have been traded!, not to worry buck fans, as usually, “Theres always next year” Thanks skiles and hammond,

by The Dark Side on Jun 25, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

We can’t trade CV because he’s a free agent. Hill is likely a project as well, and we need a backup PG anyway.

by richardhkirkando on Jun 26, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dropped by from covering the Thunder to say

Meeks should be great. If Redd gets hurt again, I think he’d be okay filling in. No matter what he’ll be instant offense. He should see the floor his first year

by dishingoutdimes on Jun 25, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jennings...

SUCH a roll of the dice… but to me, the nail in his coffin was the fact that he was literally scared to show his face tonight… Seriously, hiding in a hotel room because he didn’t want to have a camera in his face if he slid? That screams soft.

If the prospect of a couple cameras and Mark Jones/Stu Scott have you squirming, what’s he gonna do when he’s getting schooled by Mario Chalmers and Derrick Rose in a few months? How’s he going to react when he inevitably gets benched for a poor shooting game?

It’s a shame too… I really think the city of Milwaukee would have fallen in love with Jonny Flynn.

by Nicks2Cents on Jun 26, 2009 1:35 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ersan Ilyasova

Didn’t really know where to post this, but you can take this information and put it where it needs to go or just not use it at all :-)

I guess Ersan turned down a 2-year offer for $5.3 million Euros from Olympiacos. I asked for someone to translate the article that was posted today on the main Turkish sports website, and they said that it said this:

“Ersan has rejected Olympiakos’ offer (5.3 mil. Euro for two years) and he will return to the NBA next season. He is expected to sign for Milwaukee again.”

“Ersan bid rejected offer from olympiakos for two year 5.3 milyon Euro. Because he want play again in NBA next year.”

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.tumspor.com/haber/20090626/Ersan-Ilyasova-serveti-reddetti.php

So not really sure if this is just speculation or what. But I suppose if he turned down that offer from Olympiacos then that he most likely plans on coming back to the Bucks or at the very least still stay with Barcelona

by oshmeehan on Jun 26, 2009 8:22 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If its anything like the European media that covers soccer, its probably either 100% made up, or simply lifted from some message board rumors.

by richardhkirkando on Jun 26, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As far as you guys are concerned

I suggest you read this article. It might help ease “some” of your concerns. (If you haven’t already on Insider. Ford also posted this there. But this is the free version.)

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 26, 2009 3:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That all being said

I really like the Bucks taking Brandon Jennings here. I think it’s a great risk for a team trying to rebuild with youth while maintaining a competitiveness. It seems to me that taking a risk, and pairing him with a demanding coach, might be the best way to help him develop.

If Jennings does develop and scratches the surface on all of his talent, he could easily be the best player in the draft. He has incredible athleticism, and is incredibly quick. He’s said to be long as well (although only the teams themselves have those measurements).

If the Bucks are patient, and he’s willing to work as hard as Skiles demands, I think it could be a start of a very productive relationship.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jun 26, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Coexisiting with Sessions and Ridnour just got a lot harder

His webcam appearance with Joe Budden didn’t get Jennings off to a good start:

Budden: You better worry about Ramon Sessions, diggin’ in your a**, pause.
Jennings: He’s not going to be here. [inaudible] That money is going to Charlie.
Budden: N****, Ramon Sessions is gonna be there.
Jennings: I doubt it.
Budden: They ain’t go no other guards.
Jennings: Ridnour.
Budden: N****, get that bum-a** n**** outta here.
Jennings: He’s going to be a backup.
Budden: To who?
Jennings: To who? Who else n****?

All class all the way, isn’t the kid? He gave himself the nickname “Young Money.”

by feral on Jun 28, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The kid is from Compton, CA

I expect that his upbringing has a lot to do with the way he conducts himself in non-mainstream media settings, such as a video chat with Budden. Guess what, he probably talks like that in private. A lot of people do; it is what it is.

It’s simultaneously good and bad that he expects to start immediately.

Good: Oh, he’s confident! He has faith in his abilities! He’s ready to get to work and become the PG we expect him to be! Bad: One year in Europe averaging less than 8 points and 3 assists? What Budden said in reply to “Ridnour”.

He wants to be the man in Milwaukee. He knows that lottery picks aren’t traditionally used for role players, but for future starters. Which is exactly why he was brought in; he could be a dynamic starter in a year or two.

I truly hope that Scott Skiles, Michael Redd, and anyone else that could possibly get through to Jennings gives him a talking-to. I don’t want him to learn the lessons he’ll need to learn to succeed in the NBA on another team.

Any sort of link so we can see the conversation for ourselves?

"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."

by Mitchell_M on Jun 28, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Young Money

That tat is going to be so wicked when he’s fifty.

by MadTown Hoops on Jun 29, 2009 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really hope he doesn’t go broke by then

by Frank Madden on Jun 29, 2009 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nobody's tat looks that great at 50

There’s one trend I hope we’re seeing die a lonely death.

Cherokee Parks looks great down at the playground with his kids, though, I bet.

by feral on Jun 30, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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