Jennings Already Worth The Risk For Bucks, Pacers Primed To Take Similar Chance

by Tom Lewis on Dec 21, 2009 6:24 AM EST in News Comment 5 comments

Brandon Jennings makes his first appearance at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers.

Jenning burst on the scene early in the season with better than expected results, before gate-crashing the Association with a 55-point game in the second week of the season. Jennings and Tyreke Evans appear to be the front-runners for Rookie of the Year, but more than that, Jennings has created a nice buzz around the Milwaukee Bucks. Jeff Rabjohns heard some nice praise from others in the NBA about the rookie point guard.

Not bad value for a 10th pick in the draft.

I can't lie. I was hoping Jennings would be taken before the Pacers' pick because coming into the draft there was so much risk associated with the player. He couldn't get qualified to play at Arizona. He struggled while playing one year in Europe. Yet, none of it seemed to weaken his bravado. He was the ultimate high risk/high reward type of player.

In hindsight, it's easy to say Jennings was a no-brainer for the Bucks, but obviously that wasn't the case considering nine teams passed on the guard who could now be electrifying their organization. But with a strong coach in place along with plenty of complimentary players, the Bucks' risk on Jennings fit perfectly .

The Pacers find themselves in similar spot now, as well. Drafting young and risky hasn't panned out well for the Pacers in the past (Jonathan Bender), but with future role players in place the team is primed to once again to take a chance on a young talent, if the opportunity presents itself. For the sake of argument, a guy like Kansas freshman, Xavier Henry, a kid who has a dynamic game that appears destined to blossom in the NBA. Aside from winning the lottery, taking a risk on a young, unproven talent is worth a chance to try to move the Pacers out of the middle of the pack.

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Exactly,

This is the stance that I hope Larry will take in the draft this year. However looking at the standings we appear to be in possession of the sixth worst record in the NBA right now. If we continue on this pace we have a decent chance at landing one of the top three picks in the lottery, remember, the team with the most ping pong balls rarely wins the lottery. I would love to get our hands on John Wall, Xavier Henry, or maybe even a Willie Warren. Those three all have a buzz around their games that could help make us into a serious contender. On the flipside if we land at the end of the lottery again, well lets just say that it’s not like we can sign any free agents either so I guess we’re looking at another year of mediocrity.

by ThirtyOne on Dec 21, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Preseason PG Poll - I think I'm in line for a new job....hahha

http://www.indycornrows.com/2009/6/22/920972/and-your-2009-2010-starting-point

I don’t know if I posted that link right. But it is a link to the poll I made in the preseason about the PG. I was ALL OVER THIS Cornrows! Here are my 2 commnets on my opinion for the draft. Yes, I may have been a little wrong in Jennings height (why did I think he was 6’3ish?), I have to pat myself on the back for this one. These are the kind of drafts Larry has to grab his balls and trade UP for once and take a shot on someone eventually. AHHH.

“For the record.. I went with Jennings, for no other reason that I love the thought of a tall point guard, he seems like hes got a little bit of an edge to him, he is supposedly quick as lightning and we will have two of the premier "guys in the 2000s who rocked an 80s high fade" with him and Brandon Rush.

Hell, he’ll even give the Pacers some publicity. Everyones gonna wanna check out how that high school kid that went to Europe did. And maybe he’ll pass on some of his learned european toughness to "Troy Murder." Word is now Lance Stephenson might be following his footsteps overseas.

by captain flitzy on Jun 22, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My second choice is definitely Evans, its almost a toss up with him and Jennings. I am reeeaallly shocked at the amount of love given to resigning Jack and putting him at the point. He did win many people over last year (including me), but wow!

by captain flitzy on Jun 23, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by captain flitzy on Dec 21, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yep,

that’s why you’re the Captain, cap.

by ThirtyOne on Dec 21, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice work out of you!

I want my vote back…

by jantz101 on Dec 21, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Looking forward to seeing the kid play tonight

A couple high scoring games don’t have me convinced. I want to see him play, I’m not a stat guy. Chris Paul puts in points, but will have between 10 and 16 assist to go with it. If he’s just a ball hog, then I wouldn’t want him. Ball hog point guards SUCK! There was a ball hog point guard in Minnesota who had people swept up early in his career…Stephon Marberry. We all know how that worked out…I’m not saying the kid is a selfish point guard, I’ll reserve judgement till I watch him play…Wall or Henry would look good in a Pacers jersey by the way.

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Dec 21, 2009 4:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs