The Brandon Jennings Conundrum (Day 30)

[MiltownHawkeye]

That picture is funny on an uncomfortable number of levels.

[SpursNBucks]

This is truly amazing. A new PG was clearly top priority this off-season and we still have no answer this far into free agency.

Agreed - A good GM with that much cap room would have had a starting PG and a starting SF locked up in the first 3 - 5 days of free agency at the latest... Once again a complete fail by Hammond and the Bucks! This team is so hott right now...

Depends if you want to tank or not, they did make a move for Teague- Sure they could have aggressively gone after an old vet like AK47, but you make some of these vet FA moves and your talking 7th or 8th seed and no shot at lottery in one of the best draft classes in some time.

I'm not sure who you wanted them to get? I really didn't like many free agents- and the few that were out there I liked - not sure if you want to be stuck with the longer term contracts they signed elsewhere for?

I don't really have too much problem with what they did so far- they guys they brought in are all hard workers. The only contract I am somewhat critical with is Zaza's three year deal. Delfino is just on a 2 year deal at $3mi/. Rids has a 1 year deal.

Like the signing of Mayo.

Like that they amnesty Gooden- they had to use it when they did or not. Even if they don't use it this year it gives them cap flexibility next year.

You really set your sites pretty low with this team and don't expect much- I thought this has been a pretty good off-season thus far.

[Chapter29]

For all you Jennings supporters..... All 2 of you.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnHndbNPYi0[/youtube]

[A Diddy2231]

That video is so 10 minutes ago

[Chapter29]

That video is so 10 minutes ago

Not new news. Just thought it might set a few straight as to why he isn't coveted.

[randy84]

Sad thing is, if I wasted millions of dollars of my company's money, I would be fired. Hammond wastes millions of dollars of his company's money and he gets a three year extension.

Just think of the wasted money in Salmons, Maggette, Jackson, Gooden, etc... Not to mention the money he has wasted putting out a mediocre team. If Hammond's job is to compete for a championship, then he should be fired immediately because the Bucks aren't any closer than they were when he was hired.

I find it hard to believe that if Hammond was the manager of one of Kohl's stores and reported these type of performances; he wouldn't have been fired long ago. Why does he get so much leeway in the NBA?

[willywazza]

Wow, it's been ages and this matter is still unresolved.

I think the milk has long turned sour and even if he is back, it will probably be an unhappy marriage.

[Jez2983]

Wow, it's been ages and this matter is still unresolved.

I think the milk has long turned sour and even if he is back, it will probably be an unhappy marriage.

Your name should have been chazwazza.

[Thunder Muscle]

Jennings is like Tim Thomas. Nobody is saying he doesn't have talent. They're just saying that the talent doesn't translate into production, and there's strong evidence that it never will. Like Tiny Tim, he just doesn't have that mental toughness, and there's little reason to hope that he ever will. Lots of players his age keep getting better and adding new skills, but important personality changes are much more rare.

Kind of a good comparison actually. Both guys show flashes, seem on the verge of breaking out, but never really do. Obviously Thomas had a long, pretty good career. But I think most would consider him an underachiever. Jennings so far would be considered the same.

I think if Brandon committed to playing the point, pass first that he'd have more interest. I just don't know if he has the mentality to commit to that full-time. The only time he has in the past is when he was in pout mode. He's a high risk signing at this point b/c statisically he hasn't improved in 4 years, he hasn't been a great shooter, and there are signs of strong attitude problems. Not a good combo.

[Nebula1]

Jennings isn't really anything like Thomas. I don't think Jennings will stop working once he gets paid, which is what got TT. Also Thomas was never the focal point of the offense nor was he ever the prospect Jennings is.

I guess if you want to say they are both underachievers seeking big money, then yes, they are similar, but the bulk of the variables are different.

Clearly Jennings has issues with his scoring %s, but that should really only discount the deal the Bucks need to offer/match.

[Jollay]

Also Thomas was never the focal point of the offense nor was he ever the prospect Jennings is.

I would disagree with this, considering Thomas was a seven overall pick. He was also at times the focal point of the offense, even with the big three at times.

[paulpressey25]

I think Tim Thomas was 10x the prospect Jennings was. It is crazy rare to have a 6-9" guy with that skill-set.

During the last 10 games of the 2000 season, we made a last second playoff push to sneak in at 41-41 or something like that. Think we went 8-2 or the like. Karl had Tim Thomas playing PG for that stretch and that was the x-factor that got us in. And TT was who kept us in that Indy series to five games. He was outstanding and dominant at times.

TT could play four positions on the floor. And when he became a free agent he had multiple teams, including the Heat and Bulls offering him max deals.

We just don't have any of that with Jennings.

[Nebula1]

Also Thomas was never the focal point of the offense nor was he ever the prospect Jennings is.

I would disagree with this, considering Thomas was a seven overall pick. He was also at times the focal point of the offense, even with the big three at times.

Yes, at times, but never a primary like Jennings. Jennings has been asked to be a scoring point (the new fad) and has never had anything close to a team that Thomas had. Thomas got to comfortably pick his spots and flip Karl's hair, while Jennings was a forced chucker turned willing chucker.

Thomas stopped working once he got paid and I sincerely doubt we'll see that from Jennings. Jennings may never realize his potential, but I'm sure it won't be from lack of effort.

[VanillaGuerilla]

Sad thing is, if I wasted millions of dollars of my company's money, I would be fired. Hammond wastes millions of dollars of his company's money and he gets a three year extension.

Just think of the wasted money in Salmons, Maggette, Jackson, Gooden, etc... Not to mention the money he has wasted putting out a mediocre team. If Hammond's job is to compete for a championship, then he should be fired immediately because the Bucks aren't any closer than they were when he was hired.

I find it hard to believe that if Hammond was the manager of one of Kohl's stores and reported these type of performances; he wouldn't have been fired long ago. Why does he get so much leeway in the NBA?

See that's where you're wrong, his job isn't to compete for a championship, it's to make the playoffs.

[Nebula1]

I think Tim Thomas was 10x the prospect Jennings was. It is crazy rare to have a 6-9" guy with that skill-set.

During the last 10 games of the 2000 season, we made a last second playoff push to sneak in at 41-41 or something like that. Think we went 8-2 or the like. Karl had Tim Thomas playing PG for that stretch and that was the x-factor that got us in. And TT was who kept us in that Indy series to five games. He was outstanding and dominant at times.

TT could play four positions on the floor. And when he became a free agent he had multiple teams, including the Heat and Bulls offering him max deals.

We just don't have any of that with Jennings.

That was a different NBA than we have now. Thomas would not get that kind of love under the new CBA environment, yet I don't disagree he was a strong prospect. Still, Jennings is a dynamic prospect himself, but over the years, the NBA has really backed away from all the crazy deals we used to see.


My point is Thomas quit working after he got paid despite having the potential he did. Jennings won't quit working due to his ambition. It's a matter of shifting his ambition from a selfish tone to a team tone. Clearly Jennings needs to improve his shot selection and overall percentages and you either believe he will or won't.

[SupremeHustle]

I think Tim Thomas was 10x the prospect Jennings was. It is crazy rare to have a 6-9" guy with that skill-set.

During the last 10 games of the 2000 season, we made a last second playoff push to sneak in at 41-41 or something like that. Think we went 8-2 or the like. Karl had Tim Thomas playing PG for that stretch and that was the x-factor that got us in. And TT was who kept us in that Indy series to five games. He was outstanding and dominant at times.

TT could play four positions on the floor. And when he became a free agent he had multiple teams, including the Heat and Bulls offering him max deals.

We just don't have any of that with Jennings.

Orlando wanted TT, too. I remember Doc Rivers saying something like "What's the difference between Tim Thomas and Tracy McGrady?" Of course they ended up with McGrady.

[EastSideBucksFan]

I tweeted the video to Jennings today that's been going around the last few days

"Why Brandon Jennings is still a free agent"


Can't wait to see if he responds.

[SupremeHustle]

I tweeted the video to Jennings today that's been going around the last few days

"Why Brandon Jennings is still a free agent"


Can't wait to see if he responds.

Love that video.

[HELPLESS]

I have to agree and disagree with Nebula on this one.

We're in agreement that I don't think Jennings will be like a Tim Thomas or John Salmons in that all of their best years came during contract years. Jennings likes basketball too much and cares way too much about his perception and becoming an all-start to just quit after a contract.

Where we disagree is Jennings potential and his potential vs. a guy like Tim Thomas. TT was drafted higher and looked like a stud coming out of Villanova. He dominated as a freshman and then had a very solid rookie season for Philly. He just didn't love basketball.

Jennings doesn't have a whole lot more potential than he's already shown IMO. If he quits pouting then he can improve his defense because he has shown that in the past. He has never shown himself to be a good finisher and I don't see how he'll magically turn that around. He also has never shown himself as a consistently good passer. He only rakes up assists when he's pouting and won't do anything but pass. I just don't see him becoming a complete unselfish player.

[glenn]

I tweeted the video to Jennings today that's been going around the last few days

"Why Brandon Jennings is still a free agent"


Can't wait to see if he responds.

Love that video.

Christ, I just watched it. Is this guy even worth the qualifying offer?