Brandon Jennings Drops 55 on the Warriors

[PosImpos]

The thing that amazes me is that he really wasn't putting up big numbers in Europe.  I don't even know if he was getting crazy minutes out there.  I don't know what that says about the European league, but it def seems like it has helped him.

He got 17 min a game over there.  I think what it says is that in the Euro league they don't give big minutes to young guys, even if they have a lot of talent.  I'm sure Jennings was pushed to work really hard on his game because he wasn't treated like a great player.  He learned that he had to earn any recognition that he might get.

It probably forced him to really work on his jumpshot, too.  In the Euro leagues you can't get away with not being able to shoot a jumpshot.  The coaches over there probably wouldn't play a guy who couldn't shoot well.

Still, there doesn't seem to be an easy explanation for the vast disparity between Jennings' performance overseas and his dominance early in his rookie season.

[ederson]

I was looking for pre draft thread about him and his comments about Rubio. Most have posted the same thing (including me) First play then talk. Looks like he knew what he was talking about

Yeah he def struggled in Europe:

"In 27 games in the Italian Lega A 2008-09 season, Jennings averaged 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 17.0 minutes per game. He shot 35.1 percent from the field and 20.7 percent from 3 point range in Lega A play.[13] In 16 Euroleague games, Jennings averaged 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.6 minutes per game. In the Euroleague he shot 38.7 percent from the field and 26.8 percent from 3 point range.[14]"

What's up with that?  Is the style really that different?

Although Italian league is not the strongest the game in itself is different.... The closer 3p play line makes defense tigher and there is no 3sec defensive violation, the game is much more slower and lasts 8mins less, coaches make many subs so there is not much play time especialy for young players (Rubio is a unique exception).

And let`s not forget that it was his first time with the big boys and in a completely different country. That`s a lot for a 17 year old.

[xmuscularghandix]

ROTY.

[miraclejohan]

I was at this game in Milwaukee tonight.  Unbelievable.  Never seen anything like it.  29 in the 3rd alone.  I'll tell you something, for a state defined by the Packers, Jennings is single handedly making the Bucks relevant again.  His name is always in the air...stay tuned.

I wonder if (and I KNOW this is premature) if he leads the Bucks to the playoffs, maybe, say, the second round, is he in the MVP running?  I don;t know which is crazier, thinking a rookie could win MVP or that the Bucks could make it to the 2nd round.

[jayk009]

Don't forget that he scored 45! in the second half! This is an unbelievable performance by any player let alone a rookie. He is already lightyears better than Rondo offensively, if only Rondo could shoot like Jennings, hit release is so quick, reminds me alot of Kareem Rush except it goes in.


In a couple of years, I wonder where Rondo will be ranked among the pg's. With Chris Paul and Deron Williams at the top, emerging players like Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and with players like Devin Harris and Tony Parker in the mix, and a player like John Wall coming in, will Rondo even be considered a top 5 pg in the next 3-5 years?

[Scribbles]

Don't forget that he scored 45! in the second half! This is an unbelievable performance by any player let alone a rookie. He is already lightyears better than Rondo offensively, if only Rondo could shoot like Jennings, hit release is so quick, reminds me alot of Kareem Rush except it goes in.


In a couple of years, I wonder where Rondo will be ranked among the pg's. With Chris Paul and Deron Williams at the top, emerging players like Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and with players like Devin Harris and Tony Parker in the mix, and a player like John Wall coming in, will Rondo even be considered a top 5 pg in the next 3-5 years?

I don't have Rondo in my list of top 5 pg's now, so in a few years he could be even lower if he doesn't improve his jumpshot. 


I am going to say, living in Wisconsin, I had a decent amount of my friends convinced this kid was going to be another Telfair.  Man was I wrong!  Though I knew that after he played his first NBA game, the 55 points only makes me look more like a fool.  If he leads the Bucks to the playoffs and keeps up his current stat line, he for sure has to be in the MVP discussion and be one of the top choices to boot. 

[KungPoweChicken]

Wow. Jennings is looking way better than Rondo.

[PosImpos]

I was at this game in Milwaukee tonight.  Unbelievable.  Never seen anything like it.  29 in the 3rd alone.  I'll tell you something, for a state defined by the Packers, Jennings is single handedly making the Bucks relevant again.  His name is always in the air...stay tuned.

I wonder if (and I KNOW this is premature) if he leads the Bucks to the playoffs, maybe, say, the second round, is he in the MVP running?  I don;t know which is crazier, thinking a rookie could win MVP or that the Bucks could make it to the 2nd round.

Maybe.  I don't think he'll get the nod no matter what numbers he puts up just because he's not as well known.  LeBron, Wade, or Melo are the only guys legitimately in contention for MVP...maybe Kobe or Dwight Howard if he has a really amazing year. 

Nevertheless, Brandon Jennings just continues to surprise.  To put this in perspective, let's make something clear:

Kobe Bryant never scored 55 points in his rookie season.
LeBron James never did.
Dwyane Wade never did.
Michael Jordan never did.

No player since 1968 has scored 55 or more points in a game in their rookie season.

Jennings might not be the next coming of Jordan, or Isiah Thomas, or even Allen Iverson.  But he's definitely something special.  Maybe in a few years he could be a legit MVP contender.

Nevertheless, if Jennings somehow managed to lead a very thin Bucks team to the second round of the playoffs, averaging 20 pts, 5 assists, a couple steals and a few rebounds, you'd have to at least give him a nod with a few votes.

[Cman]

A lot of people were wrong about this kid (myself included).
Good for him for being so scrappy, playing with a chip on his shoulder, and putting all the "haters" in their place.  And good for the Bucks for taking a flyer on him...

[Drucci]

Jennings is really impressive, if he keeps it up he will go to the ASG as a rookie! The big thing is that he makes his team win, so he's not just a "ball-hog" but a really good player.

[Tough Juice]

it looks like we have the new Allen Iverson here, there are too many similarities in their game

[Who]

Dang it! I was going to watch that game but decided not to at the final moment. Ah well.

[moiso]

Good for the Bucks for getting lucky with this guy.  It's about time somebody pans out for them.

[miraclejohan]

I am going to say, living in Wisconsin, I had a decent amount of my friends convinced this kid was going to be another Telfair.  Man was I wrong!  Though I knew that after he played his first NBA game, the 55 points only makes me look more like a fool.  If he leads the Bucks to the playoffs and keeps up his current stat line, he for sure has to be in the MVP discussion and be one of the top choices to boot. 

Where in Wisconsin do you live?  I've been in Milwaukee for just over a year, transplanted from Massachusetts.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Brandon Jenning's = The next Allen Iverson.

Kid's got some talent. Never really thought he'd a bust, but never made a bold prediction about him being a star.