The Target for 2009: Brandon Jennings
I have to say, I heard alot about Jennings, the Oak Hill product, who has made national news with the controversial decision to go play professional basketball in Europe for a year before entering next year’s draft. Such a move is unprecented and could have disasterous implications. That said, Jennings, who shares the ball as well as anyone I’ve seen un some time, based on some video highlights and coversations with trusted sources, would be a pretty strong and talented lead guard for Mike D’Antoni to mold.
Let it be said, yes we need a big man who can block shots, but I want this kid with the ball in a Knicks uniform in 2009.
SNY’s own Adam Zagoria got the chance to see Jennings against St. Benedict’s last year, here were his thoughts:
“He has some Kenny Anderson and Jason Kidd in him as in he likes to make the hard pass that other guards just can’t make. He’s a scorer, can go off for 35-40 every night. He needs to mature physically and mentally in order to handle the NBA guards. A lot can happen in a year, he could get hurt, but he should be a lottery pick next year. He has vision that other guards just don’t have. He’s clearly an elite talent.“
My first thought was that he’s eerily similar to Kenny, a guy who was a hero for NYC point guards growing up including yours truly (ok I grew up in Westchester but “the kid” came to my high school to put on a show since at the time we were in the same league).
If we see it, I’d like to think that Donnie and D’Antoni will see it too. Yes we need a big shot blocker, but between Jennings, Ty Lawson and Darren Collison, the Knicks will should find a future lead guard via the 2009 draft.
