Brandon Jennings Thinking About Shot Selection, Stephen Jackson Still Out With Back Injury

by Frank Madden on Dec 19, 2011 10:37 PM CST in Daily Notes

FS Wisconsin: Bucks expect an improvement on offense
Andrew Wagner reports on Brandon Jennings' plans to change up his shot selection in 11/12.

"This summer, I wanted to work on a lot of things," Jennings said. "I feel a little more comfortable shooting the pull-up jump shot. This year, I'm trying not to shoot as many threes as I used to but just try to get in the lane and make things happen."

Getting to the rim more and finishing at just an average rate would do wonders for Jennings' efficiency, so Brandon's on the right track. That said, it's worth noting that the only type of shot Brandon has ever made with even league-average effectiveness is the three pointer--as a rookie he made nearly 38% of his tries from deep. So while aggressiveness, drawing fouls, etc is a good thing, let's be careful not to vilify the three point shot too much.

JS: Tobias Harris and Larry Sanders back practicing
Both Harris and Sanders spent most of last week recovering from dehydration, but they're back practicing now and will be looking for extended minutes in Wednesday's MACC Fund game.

Bucks.com: Larry Sanders Show
See what happens when you let Larry Sanders loose at media day with a flipcam.

Twitter: Stephen Jackson in New York for second opinion
As also mentioned in Gardner's piece, Stephen Jackson flew to New York on Monday for another opinion on his back--which he later termed on Twitter a "great doc visit" and alluded to getting a shot of some sort. Investigative journalism at its finest, folks.

Arena talk gaining momentum?
Don't expect a solution anytime soon, but as I always say when it comes to the Bradley Center problem: getting people talking is the first step.

WSSP: Scott Walkers joins Wick and Chuck. The Governor doesn't sound like the biggest Bucks fan in the world, but at least he's talking up the economic impact of NBA basketball.
JS: The time is now to address new arena for Bucks. You can always count on Michael Hunt to talk about it.
JS: More on the push for a new arena.

ESPN: 2011 offseason grades for every team
Chad Ford hands out offseason grades for each team. The Bucks earn a C+, which seems a little low (I'd give them a B- right now and bump it to B/B+ if they can trade Ilyasova), but he seems to be holding off judgement until we see how the moves pan out. (Dan)

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Comments

Jennings continues to baffle me. He still doesn't quite get "it," if there is really anything for him to get.

His three-point shooting in his rookie year was actually the one thing I had to defend his offensive game against critics. Now he says he doesn’t want to shoot threes anymore?

Skiles and the staff have noted that Jennings is at his worst when trying to shoot off the dribble (note: the red light should be flashing when this is said about a PG), so now Jennings wants to eschew the spot-up looks in favor of more off the dribble shooting? Wha? Huh?

I’d tell him to only shoot threes if anything, and now he’s talking about stopping in favor of pull-ups and (presumably) that dreadful step-back. Guh.

SB Nation Brew Hoop - Editor | SB Nation Midwest News Desk Contributor | SB Nation Chicago - Writer | Twitter: @stevevonhorn

by Steve von Horn on Dec 19, 2011 10:54 PM CST reply actions

I think there were some other quotes from media day about him wanting to cut out off-the-dribble threes and shoot more spot ups

I’m OK with that.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Dec 19, 2011 11:03 PM CST up reply actions

Well he can't want to do everything and cut back on everything at the same time, so perhaps he just talked enough circles to cover the whole issue.

Maybe I will just ignore the quotes all together, but the idea of shifting his output to more threes still seems the most reasonable and most rewarding to me.

SB Nation Brew Hoop - Editor | SB Nation Midwest News Desk Contributor | SB Nation Chicago - Writer | Twitter: @stevevonhorn

by Steve von Horn on Dec 19, 2011 11:08 PM CST up reply actions

I think we can safely conclude that Brandon Jennings isn’t the most reliable source for insight into the evolution of Brandon Jennings’ game.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Dan Sinclair on Dec 19, 2011 11:35 PM CST up reply actions

yup

did he talk about more than shooting? we need other things from him for sure. in the past he’s talked about assists, which is a positive for him to think about. but running the team and creating offense is more than just assists.

i shouldn’t take the time to talk about him. should just wait and watch what he does.

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 12:02 AM CST up reply actions

it seems

whatever moves the bucks make “experts” will always downgrade them

by Blazza18 on Dec 20, 2011 12:36 AM CST reply actions

me: hope & learned pessimism

Having followed the team for 40 years, much under one owner, there are patterms of dysfunction. Over and over, what looks like progress has crumbled. One learns. As always, I hope “newcomers” will see a different story. Have no need for pessimism.

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 6:13 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Realistic expectations...

The Sanders interview with Tobias Harris was helpful for me. It showed me that these are young men who are riding the wave of NBA riches. Understandably caught up in having a lot of money, of seeing their lives change fundamentally. Harris talked about “millions,” jokingly. Talked about his new BMW. I don’t begrudge him any of those thoughts and feelings. It would be strange not to have them. And because NBA careers are so short, it would be strange not to guard carefully those careers.

Harris didn’t talk about anything to do with competition. Nothing to do with team. Sure, it was just a few light-hearted video moments with a teammate, so why should he? I don’t “downgrade” him for that.

But I do realize that these are young men caught up in their good fortune. Swept away by it. They are not Special Forces volunteers, with “Semper Fi” always on their lips. They are not there because foremost they are dedicated to a mission. They are not there because they hunger for Team. They are riding a wave, and just remaining vertical on the surfboard takes a lot of their attention.

Bottom line: the NBA is less-than-I-assumed not a high showcase for the values and virtues of teamwork. If I continue to hunger for that, disappointment will be my return. The NBA is a collection of individuals with individual dreams who — driven by coaching — give an honest effort at being a team. If you marry someone, you must learn to accept who they really are, if you want to remain married. To remain a basketball fan, I need to accept what the game actually is. That means a lower “ceiling,” but it’s more solid.

- – - – - – - -

I start a week of housesitting today. Advanced stats (all 9 pages as printed out) goes with me.

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 8:31 AM CST reply actions

An interesting take on the makeup of the league

It speaks volumes to the value of coaches getting buy-in from their players, like Phil Jackson or Doc Rivers (two high-profile examples).

http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.

by Mitchell Maurer on Dec 20, 2011 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

That brings up a good question.

What is Phil Jackson doing this year? Smoking wee….errrr…getting his Zen on in Montana?

SB Nation Brew Hoop - Editor | SB Nation Midwest News Desk Contributor | SB Nation Chicago - Writer | Twitter: @stevevonhorn

by Steve von Horn on Dec 20, 2011 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

PIMPIN' AUDIS

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Dec 20, 2011 7:55 PM CST up reply actions

Draw and kick, draw and kick

Will Jennings realize that he might have more options this season? I am hoping that he magically realizes that he an kick it to the Dunleavys on the team now.

by tommyr on Dec 20, 2011 8:42 AM CST reply actions

Do these stats harmonize with BrewHoop stats?

LUKE23 at RealGM says this:

“You do realize that our entire roster, regardless of the coach they have played for, have been anywhere from average to horrendous in terms of efficiency, correct? I find it hard to blame the coach when these players have been playing the same way everywhere.

“Our starting five’s career TS is:

“PG: .483
SG: .522
SF: .515
PF: .518
C: .540

“League average is anywhere between .534-.544.”

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 9:31 AM CST reply actions

No doubt

This is not a team of shooters.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Dan Sinclair on Dec 20, 2011 10:42 AM CST up reply actions

BJ...BJ...BJ???

I long to believe that you are on a path of basketball enlightenment? But, it is items / notions like this article which seemingly defies such growth…such optimisim. Therefore, it appears that you are closer to embracing one of my favorite quotations shared years ago by a one,
Dan “Dangerous” McNeil who said, “Never confuse Activity with Accomplishment”

“Shirley” one sees a plethora of activity swirling around thee with consistancy, and yet,
fandom seemingly awaits the End Game? Accomplishment. Carry on young blood>>>

by ks13and1 on Dec 20, 2011 10:03 AM CST reply actions

OT: more recommendations on hip hop music

Minister Jason replied:

" Thanks for passing this on. I know Lupe Fiasco and Brother Ali. I’ll have to give the rest a listen. I also like Blackalicious, the Welfare Poets, Grouch & Eligh, Matisyahu and Ephryme (both Jewish), MC Yogi (raps about Hindu Scriptures), etc… to name a few."

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 10:28 AM CST reply actions

On an unrelated note...

Chuck, just an FYI that the SB Nation Android app is supposed to launch tomorrow…I think you had previously mentioned you were an Android user.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Dec 20, 2011 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

thanks for the heads up

I do well enough at BH with the regular Android browser. Be interesting to see what the app adds.

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

first returns

Adds? Sure it adds. Anger & frustration. At least this codger went round and round trying to install it and got nowhere. Well, it does install, and I can log in – but doing so leaves me with a blank screen and I haven’t found a way to get past that. It’s not unknown for some flavors of software — think Microsoft — to boggle my mind and raise my ire. Draw no conclusions about this new software in the hands of others.

I’ll try again later — probably.

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Dang is there pie on my face

And damn was it good. Banana cream. Moving on. Apologies are due to the new app! I seem to be saner after 6pm. Uninstalled. Reinstalled, with just a little fuss. Better than par for me. Looks good. Seems to work fine. I LIKE!!

by unklchuk on Dec 20, 2011 6:22 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Excellent!

I enjoy the iPhone app—definitely makes it easier to read stories, add comments and follow teams/blogs/topics.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Dec 20, 2011 7:57 PM CST up reply actions

The app for iPad has not been optimizes yet.

Hopefully soon

by tommyr on Dec 21, 2011 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

I like this guy!

Some solid artists and groups he threw out there too that I also like. When you finish up with those songs let me know if any hit the spot (or don’t) chuk. Interested to see what you think.

SB Nation Brew Hoop - Editor | SB Nation Midwest News Desk Contributor | SB Nation Chicago - Writer | Twitter: @stevevonhorn

by Steve von Horn on Dec 20, 2011 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

I'm trying to keep my Jennings comments to myself because I do plenty of bashing...

But I think we can all agree that this year is a big one for him, if he wants to prove that he’s NOT the 2nd coming of one TJ Ford…

Personally, I think BJ would be fabulous coming of the bench on a contending team, just not the starter on .500ish team…

by victor s on Dec 20, 2011 11:00 AM CST reply actions

FWIW Two Bucks hopefuls for NBA draft 2011

Burks 3-10 8 points in 23 minutes
Brooks 4-6 10 points in 14 minutes(3 TO and 3 PF as well)

"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian

by CanadaBucks on Dec 20, 2011 12:58 PM CST reply actions

This is always my least favorite part of the season...

…having to watch other guys the Bucks could have had and hope they don’t blow up…

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Dec 20, 2011 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

Missed Klay Thompson

9 points of 4-10 with 5 fouls and 3 TOs in 14 minutes….5 fouls in 14 minutes???Amir Johnson -like

"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian

by CanadaBucks on Dec 20, 2011 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

Hey CB, I don't know if I mentioned that I was a fan of the Harris pick on draft night...

I know you were, and I didn’t get a chance to back you up on it.

I’m kind of a mock draft nerd, and a lot of sites had TH in the late-lottery/mid-round area.

I think he was an excellent pick at #19.

by victor s on Dec 20, 2011 1:54 PM CST reply actions

i was also a fan of Tractor traylor so there you go

Would have like Burks but harris was good at 19 I thought, good character kid.

"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian

by CanadaBucks on Dec 20, 2011 2:14 PM CST up reply actions