Everybody Panic! Brandon Jennings "Keeping His Options Open"

by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 10, 2012 5:44 AM CST in News

You know what they say about ostriches, right? Whenever faced with adversity, they don't run, nor do they fight. They simply shut out the world, and dive head-first into whatever soft ground they can find. Because nothing can hurt you if you don't see it coming, so just find that happy place and ignore anything else and la la la la I'm not listeniiiing...

Wikipedia has debunked this rumor, but I'd like them to debunk this one instead: according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Brandon Jennings will be "strongly considering" leaving Milwaukee once his contract expires.

Excuse me while I go find some sand.

Here are the facts: since being drafted in 2009, Brandon Jennings has been the Bucks' most promising player, as well as the most compelling. Some of us love him, some of us hate him (just kidding, Steve!), and the rest of us have no idea what to make of him, but one thing is for sure: as he goes, so do the Milwaukee Bucks.

We've rehashed how disinterested and detached he seemed during the Phoenix game, and his post-game statements that night were as worrisome as they were vague. We've also made note of how much Jennings is hanging out with Stephen Jackson, who has had some run-ins with Milwaukee management of his own.

But here's the heart of the issue: John Hammond brought in Stephen Jackson to help mentor Brandon Jennings. It was a calculated risk, bringing in someone with as volatile a personality as Cap'n Jack (especially in the same locker room as Scott Skiles). And lo and behold, mentor is exactly what Jackson has done.

Jackson wants out of Milwaukee, that much is clear. He simply doesn't like it here. But with Jennings under his wing, not to mention their lockers side-by-side, can we really say that we expected this to end well? Here's the operative quote from the Broussard article:

"It has nothing to do with the city of Milwaukee or anything like that because that's where I started my career,'' Jennings said. "They've been nothing but good to me. (Coach) Scott Skiles and (general manager) John Hammond have been good to me. It's just that I'm understanding the business of basketball now.''

"Understanding the business of basketball now," means "I've figured out that I can go where I want." In my view, Jennings will only go where he feels he's wanted. Now, if you're him, and you see that Milwaukee brought you in to pair up with a center that can't stay healthy, in a system that doesn't fit his strengths, for a authoritarian coach with minimal offensive acumen and creativity, a GM that is forced to find journeymen to fill out the team, and an owner who is actively (but not effectively) shopping the franchise?

If you're Brandon Jennings, does that sound like a good environment for you to stay in?

I can't say what the right answer to this problem is, but I can say this: Losing Brandon Jennings would be the worst yet in a long string of disappointments coming from the Milwaukee Bucks. If there's any way to fix this, John Hammond, fix it, and do so quickly.

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I like...

your description of the organization. Maybe this additional sign of trouble will bring reform.

Or maybe everything waits on Herb Kohl deciding how to get out from under.

by unklchuk on Feb 10, 2012 6:57 AM CST via Android app reply actions

"I think i'll have a heart attack and die from that surprise"

Given the current climate of stars demanding trades to their favorite teams, this is no surprise at all. Couple that with the state of the franchise dutifully summarized by Mr Maurer, and Brandon Jennings is a goner.

I was fairly certain of this as soon as he had a 55 point game. Milwaukee has never kept an elite category player through his prime, with the possible exception of Sidney Moncrief, who’s career trajectory was much like Andrew Bogut’s (plagued by chronic injuries). They’re not going to start keeping good players now, with the players more powerful than ever.

by nkt on Feb 10, 2012 7:39 AM CST reply actions

I guess we have never had to the opportunity to keep an elite player, atleast in the last few decades, so I wouldn't reall know...

I’m not too worried about an average point guard leaving in free agency honestly… We can match since he is an RFA anyways and unless he improves I doubt there is going to be a ton of demand for him…

by Superelkman on Feb 10, 2012 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

Even with this, I still believe he'll be here at least 5 more seasons unless we trade him

by FearTheDeer on Feb 10, 2012 8:03 AM CST reply actions

True...

The guy is a RFA so it’s certain the Bucks will match. My 1st reaction to the story was I hate what the NBA has become there shouldn’t be more than 8 teams then.

Then I calmed down and saw who wrote the article. It was the same guy who put out there that Jennings should be an All-Star. It occurred to me that Jennings might be upset he was snubbed this year. Whatever the case may be, The Bucks will have to find a way build a more solid team around Jennings.

by muffin1man on Feb 10, 2012 8:23 AM CST up reply actions

Better pursue trades now if you think he won't stay

Than get LeBronned I’d like to be able to keep him but I have seen it happen too many times, don’t wait until the last minute and hope you can change his mind. Talk to him(Hammond that means you)if he is non-committal pursue a trade, be smart like Denver and Utah(not that BJ is anything close to those two player but you get the point)

Any idea why the Recent Posts on the side are out of date? makes navigation more difficult

"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 Feb 10, 2012 8:20 AM CST reply actions

RealGM depresses me

Even though it was pretty bad timing for an article like this to come out, it doesn’t spell the end of our franchise yet…..obviously it’s disheartening that he doesn’t proclaim loyalty to life for our mediocre team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s automatically out the door. The posts at RealGM are cussing out the entire organization and telling BJ to go to hell and all sorts of other nasty things. I prefer to be a little bit more optimistic and I like you guys here, keeping it real.

by jtcooky on Feb 10, 2012 8:48 AM CST reply actions

We promise to keep it real. That I guarantee.

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

by Steve von Horn on Feb 10, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

As Jack Nicholson might scream:

" You can’t handle real ! ! ! "

Referring not to Steve but to all of us.

;)

by unklchuk on Feb 10, 2012 9:25 AM CST up reply actions

Endorsement $

Jennings earning potential on a bigger market team would be a lot higher. Look no further than his Under Armor dealings this summer (I actually really enjoyed the commercial spots that showed him working on his game) and his pick-up games during the lock-out that were basically promotional stops. He is from the west coast, so I can picture him wanting out and heading back home to the bright lights of the big cities. Seriously, given the chance, would anyone really pick staying in Milwaukee versus going to the Lakers or a similar team? that’s the curse of the NBA right now. Not sure why they can’t make the salary structure a littlle closer to the NFL model, that seems to be working quite well.
And, BTW, the bucks kept Redd through his prime. Like him or not, he was an elite category player as a shooting guard and scorer.

by Redd's Ghost on Feb 10, 2012 9:26 AM CST reply actions

Well have no fear because....

I have a fantasy basketball team on yahoo and they just introduced “projected” stats like they do in fantasy football. They have BJ (of course I have him on my team! haha) projected tonight for 19 points on 40% shooting, 2 3PM, 4 boards, and 7 assists to 2 TO.

No worries right? ………… Right?………

by jtcooky on Feb 10, 2012 10:05 AM CST reply actions

Personally, I think he is just upset because he was snubbed for the All-Star game.

I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Feb 10, 2012 10:29 AM CST reply actions

The only person that knows for sure is

Brandon himself

by jtcooky on Feb 10, 2012 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

That's true.

However, I found it very interesting he said he was doing his homework on big market teams rather than winning teams.

I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Feb 10, 2012 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

THE Seed has been Planted....

Brandon Jennings is giving anyone who’ll listen a fair warning. I’m outta here first chance I get. Of course he’ll sugar coat some of the message, he’s got a year and half yet on his paper. Gotta co-exist now better to leave later.

The timing of this is what pisses me off.. Time and Place BJ…Time and PLace.

And, for someone who has accomplished nothing on the hardwood, yet, remains just this side of Basketball Zeus in his mind, he seems to think he’ll be able to wheel and deal the BJ rig into any spot he wishes. Maybe he will. Maybe? Or, this thing rocks its ugly head, and the grass on the other side which appears lush, and inviting, is filled with I.A.D.’s whose timing can be has bad then, as yours is now.

“Break a leg”
Me. Me. Me.

by ks13and1 on Feb 10, 2012 11:36 AM CST reply actions

Shocking.... [tongue firmly planted in cheek]

Milw would be smart to do what Utah did w/ D Williams – trade him NOW while his value is still high and avoid the distraction.

Did anyone really think a dive from L.A. would actually stay in Milw?

by victor s on Feb 10, 2012 12:10 PM CST reply actions

Yeah but..

BJ’s value is nowhere near Deron Williams value was then. Williams is considered one of the best PG’s in the league up there with CP3 and others. BJ does not have the league wide respect and recognition to do what he’s doing, so I’m not exactly sure what he is trying to do.

by jtcooky on Feb 10, 2012 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

*diva

by victor s on Feb 10, 2012 12:10 PM CST reply actions

Summer 2014

That’s when he is unrestricted. Two and a half seasons from now! People need to settle down, that’s a long, long way off. A lot of stuff can happen before then. This whole story is junk that ESPN throws out there. A network that is in bed with the league. Of course they want all the stars on big market teams, it helps their ratings. And I’d argue that his “value” hasn’t peaked yet. Let’s reevaluate after next year and we’ll see. Read the lastest JSOnline blog post. He is saying all the right things. Don’t let ESPN manipulate the story.

by CHAController on Feb 10, 2012 12:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions

ESPN Did Not write the story...

Chris Broussard, employed by ESPN, is the author of a quote filled Q and A.
I like, and trust Chris’s work. This piece is a very simple straight forward account of the state of Brandon Jennings >AND< has little if any commentary by Broussard to ‘manipulate’.

This vanilla piece by Gardner has some “spin”, and “damage contorl” efforts by BJ.
Most of that article is nothing more then highlighting Broussards piece, and as always, leaves the reader unfullfilled. Follow up questions with contextual insight is not exactly Gardners strength.
What he does is put a Box Score to words…nothing more.
_

by ks13and1 on Feb 10, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

Wonderful points, Mitchell.

I do believe Jennings will leave, and I cannot blame him one bit.

by tommyr on Feb 10, 2012 12:42 PM CST reply actions

Brandon Jennings understands that he is a star in any market other than this one

I can’t believe that year after year of the Buck settling for aging, mopey veterans as filler has helped anything, but pretty much any market is better than Milwaukee. Our franchise is a sinking ship and David Stern is the iceberg. At this point I do not expect a franchise in Milwaukee by 2020. We get no support from the national media or the NBA itself. Our arena is crumbling and there are no future owners who would keep us in Wisconsin. The summer of 2009 was our final exam and we failed miserably. There are no re-takes.

by MadTown Hoops on Feb 10, 2012 3:56 PM CST reply actions

And let’s be honest, he’s only just now admitting what he’s always felt. Does anyone remember the Under Armour ad he did right after he was drafted? In one frame there was a leaflet that read Compton, Roma, Milwaukee, … . It was tracking his progress from high school to the NBA, but there was an obvious, elephant-in-the-room blank after Milwaukee. We’ve always been a stepping stone to BJ.

by MadTown Hoops on Feb 10, 2012 4:12 PM CST reply actions

Not the most encouraging news.

But hardly surprising considering the state of the NBA now. The Bucks are going to regret the summer following the “Fear The Deer” run very…dearly. (Deerly?) Still, he might have left either way, if he’s as in love with the spotlight as his reputation would suggest.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 10, 2012 4:15 PM CST reply actions

Major problem

If he walks it leaves little cap space. He would have to be packaged with Jackson to get a decent player in return.

by toasterrebound on Feb 10, 2012 5:18 PM CST reply actions

I was a big jennings fan

and I probably still will be for a while – however – talk like this is really pisses me off. Because it’s not based in the present – it’s all meant to vent his frustrations and tick off the fans.

a)he’s not an all-star – though he has glimmers of it
b)he’s not going anywhere anytime fast
c)even if he did end up leaving, he’s not in the position to demand what the lebrons, wades, chris pauls of the world would demand – he’s not in their league yet, and that’s not all on him, either

do we really want a point guard who isn’t grounded in the here and now? His team is struggling, right now… and they need his help the most. Not some big three down the road.

by liptrill on Feb 10, 2012 7:50 PM CST reply actions

FWIW

From the nba.com report

n Thursday, Jennings, who was miffed about not being named an All-Star reserve, caused some angst among Bucks fans by saying in an interview with ESPN.com that he was already “doing my homework” on big-market teams. He’s eligible for free agency in two years.
Before the game, Jennings tried to clarify his comments.
“It’s nothing to be worried about,” said Jennings, who is under contract through next season. "It kind of got blown out of proportion a little bit. I never said I was leaving. I’m not looking to be in any big market or anything like that. I’m keeping my options open. After being in this a couple years, I understand the business of basketball.
“I’m still going to be here playing hard every night and my focus is to get into the playoffs.”
Skiles said he isn’t thinking about Jennings’ future.
“It’s a long time before that (free agency) would happen,” Skiles said. “He’s still on his rookie deal. The system is the system. The players have a right to operate within the system. It doesn’t bother me what he said. Players have options and the teams have options. If people don’t like the system they probably should have changed it.”

"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 Feb 10, 2012 9:55 PM CST reply actions