Scouting Maynor and Jennings

by Tommy Dee on May 16th, 2009 at 2:28 pm


Since I am a man of the people, I understand fans getting frustrated at all the Stephen Curry buzz. Some of you want to hear more about other options at the guard position. So here we go.

The word that I would use to describe Eric Maynor is “solid.” I like  Maynor, who like Stephen Curry,  also excelled at a small school. To be fair, I knocked him for his performance against UCLA in the tournament.  Maynor had trouble with Jrue Holiday. Now, I never judge a player based on one game, so here’s what I see from Maynor.

Maynor has big-game qualities and isn’t afraid of the big shot. Again, like Curry, Maynor was forced to take games over with a high volume of shots yet it didn’t affect his shooting numbers.That was also a result of trying to expand his game for the NBA scouts.

Early in the season it appeared Maynor was trying to do a bit too much and that affected his decision making. In his first 11 games Maynor had 4 games of over 5 turnovers. He did settle down the rest of the season finishing with a 2-to-1 assist-to- TO ratio.

Maynor definitely needs to get stronger, but I love his defense particularly his length. He definately has solid quarterback skills and he has a slight chip on his shoulder, which is a result of constantly being overlooked. I think he’s a mid first round pick because he doesn’t have the ceiling that a Johnny Flynn has or the pedigree of playing at hyper speed like Ty Lawson.   He’s not a lights out long distance shooteror a superior athlete. But in many cases that is an advantage to a team that will draft him because a solid, capable player falls in their lap. If the Knicks can manage to trade down I have zero problem with taking Maynor, who may not have the explosion and open court speed for Coach D’Antoni’s offense, but is just a flat-out solid point guard prospect across the board.

Jennings, to me, is a player who I’m really rooting for based on the fact that his game is very similar to my childhood hero Kenny Anderson. He’s got the ball on a string and can squeeze into seems and make plays. If he can handle the grind of the NBA season, physically, then he’s a star in the making.

It will be very interesting to see just how Jennings has progressed. I think he’s by far a better player for playing in Europe. I remember my friend and I  started playing against 30 year old men when I was about 13 and it made us both physically and mentally tougher. Should NBA execs see that growth from Jennings, you can expect the floodgates to open for high school players heading to Europe.

Apparently, Jennings has really matured and that’s a great sign because his minutes have evaporated based on the fact that he is playing at the most elite level. But according to draftexpress, he’s taking it in stride.

“…Gone is the brash, arrogant teenager with the Kid ’N Play style flat-top who dominated the ball in absolute fashion and looked first and foremost for his own shot, his stats and the ultimate high-light play. In his place is a much more mature, respectful young man, always cheering on his teammates, showing great body language and painstakingly trying to do what his coaches ask of him, almost to a fault at times.

In the second quarter, Jennings comes up with a steal and has a three on two transition opportunity. Not seeing the angle he was looking for, he pulls the ball out, waits for his teammates to run down the floor and calls a play, to the shock of everyone in attendance who had watched him play in America. “The Brandon Jennings of old would have never passed up that opportunity” the Director of Player Personnel sitting next to us points out while nodding his head. “Gotta limit those turnovers” Jennings explains to us afterwards. “My job is to be a pass-first point guard…”

Certainly, Jennings is a more than capable to lead this offense, eventually, but there are other teams like Minnesota, Golden State and Memphis who could use such a talent at who can eventually take over the lead guard position. Each has the edge in drafting ahead of the Knicks who would appear content to stay and wait for Curry instead of trade up to get Jennings.
  • KBT1615

    Thanks Tommy Dee.
    This has told me even more about Jennings I just pray Golden State, Minnesota and Memphis each fall in love with another PG…

  • CircleLimit4

    I think I still favor Curry or Jrue, but I would not be upset with Jennings by any means. He says he is a pass-first PG but most of the clips I’ve seen, including the one above, say otherwise. Nonetheless, he certainly has potential, all-star potential even.

    Maynor would be a nice pick too, but not at number 8. It wouldn’t be worth trading down a few spot for, I’d rather grab Lawson or Holiday if Curry and Jennings are off the board.

  • CircleLimit4

    P.S. Tommy, could you do Lawson, Flynn and maybe Teague or Calathes at some point?

  • KBT1615

    Why do them? Teague is just doing the workouts to find out what he needs to work on. 8 would be a reach for Lawson plus we would have to pick him over someone really good. Calathes haha… And Flynn would be nice but again a reach at 8.

  • KBT1615

    Also that game above isn’t a recent game of Jennings.

  • CircleLimit4

    Why not do them? Lawson and Flynn are no more of a reach than Maynor. We have a lot of options, including trading down. Why not discuss them all?

  • CircleLimit4

    Why discuss Jennings? He’ll probably be gone by the time our turn comes up. We discuss him because, that’s what we do here.

  • KBT1615

    Too bad we have no clue when we are picking..
    And this isn’t the NFL draft people just don’t trade up and down like the stock exchange.
    Yea true we talk about Picks but whats the point in talking about reaching for someone. I would rather take Henderson then reach for Lawson or Flynn.

  • paulempson

    Tommy Dee …..why no ideas about jumping up into the top 3? This draft looks t9o be rather weak after #3. Or , rather , a gamble .

    We have a boat load of expiring some of which can actually contribute on win now teams….

    We have 2 RFA’s who many teams like and covet

    and we have a top 10 pick

    I just think drafting another year at #’s 6-10 is a waste.

    We need that top 2-3 pick

  • KBT1615

    You watch Euroleague games?

  • Chris Alvino

    What do we realistically have to give up without taking back a contract that extends passed next season?

    Not Gallo. Not Wil.

    If you want to move up to 1 to get Griffin, that is one thing. But it is not worth it to move up to get Jennings because other teams will try to pawn off a bad contract on us or try to get one of our young players.

  • CircleLimit4

    So the reason why we talk about Maynor but shouldn’t talk about Lawson or Flynn is because YOU personally prefer Henderson? Give me a break dude…

  • CircleLimit4

    You’re right, though we don’t know what pick we’re getting. We could end up in the 10th spot for all we know.

  • KBT1615

    Thats not what I was saying . I meant it as we should be talking Henderson more than Lawson or Flynn because he is a less of a reach.

  • paulempson

    The goal in my opinion is to get Rubio.

    Kid is 19 , has more pro experience than those kids in college and was a real nag to Team USA last summer where he really showcased his game.

  • Funk

    Obviously first priority is getting Rubio. After that, it all depends where we land in the lottery. If we get the #3 pick, we either trade up to #2 for Rubio, and if that isn’t an option, we take Harden or Jennings. I would be thrilled with either of them. If we are at the #8 spot, and Harden or Jennings is available (which I highly doubt) then I think we talk with the next few teams below us and see if any of them are willing to trade up, allowing us to unload a contract. I would only trade down if I knew that we will be able to get Curry at the lower position. if not, we take Curry at the #8 spot and I’m content. So my list for PG’s in this draft looks like this:
    1) Rubio
    2) Jennings
    3) Curry
    4-6) Flynn, Lawson, Maynor in no particular order

    What I like about Curry is if he turns out to be an average PG, we can slide him over to the two spot and still have him fill a need.

  • CircleLimit4

    I mean no disrespect but you’re being absolutely ridiculous towards me. First of all, Lawson and Flynn being more of a reach than Henderson or Maynor is your opinion, not gospel. There are plenty of mock drafts that disagree with you.

    Secondly, you’re acting as if there’s some sort of quota of players we can discuss. Is there a time limit? Is this a race or competition? If you want Tommy to talk about Henderson, great I do too, ask him! Just don’t tell me Lawson and Flynn are not worthy of discussion.

  • KBT1615

    What Mock Drafts are you looking at?
    All the ones I have seen have Lawson and Flynn going in the 10-16 range. While Henderson goes 9 or 10. MAKING HIM LESS OF A REACH.
    Im just saying we should be focusing on Players that have the best value at 8 not people projected to go in the teens.

  • CircleLimit4

    http://www.draftexpress.com/

    Enjoy.

    But even still, in a ritual as arbitrary and opinionated as mock drafts are you really claiming there is much of a difference between 9-10 and 10-16? Pleaseeeee.

    There’s a saying in the south, “now you’re just picking pepper out of fly shit.”

  • KBT1615

    So you would honestly would pick Ty lawson or Johny Flynn over Stephen Curry. And if you can honestly say yes ill just stop arguing.
    And there is a big difference between picking say 9 and 16 genius.

  • J-Knick

    Thanks Tommy for this insight on Maynor, Jennings.

    I understand there is some uncertainty about Jennings’ potential and that workouts will be key to evaluate his talent

    I also understand that Maynor is a good all-around PG but that he may not be a top 10 pick

    Now tell us about Holiday, Flynn and Lawson (I understand Evans is not a real PG)

    Could you do a comparative evaluation of these guys on different skills (shooting, passing, ballhandling speed, floor vision, mindset, ability to learn, …) including R Rubio ?

    I know we ask a lot … that’s the price of making a quality blog ;-)

  • CircleLimit4

    @KTB

    Where did you get the notion that I’d pick Lawson or Flynn over Curry?

    “And there is a big difference between picking say 9 and 16 genius.”

    In a mediocre draft like this, not as much as you’d think. And YOU are the one who thinks Henderson is 9 and Lawson is 16, not me. You also admitted that Lawson could go as high as 10, well, then what the hell are you trying to argue??? Please get off your enormously high horse, Lawson is worthy of discussion. Apparently Tommy also thinks Lawson is in the mix, so have fun dislodging that foot from your mouth.

  • KBT1615

    Hes only humoring you… And I didnt say hes not worth of discussion GENIUS i said we should focus more on players we should take at 8. Meaning if Curry is at 8 what other players would you consider taking over him that would be available possibly.
    So If you wouldn’t take Flynn or Lawson over Curry why even mention them lets focus on people like Derozan, Henderson, Thabeet Possibly, Jennings thats my argument.
    High Horse? Where did that come from?

  • paulempson

    We need to stop thinking If he doesnt work out……. slide him to the 2. We did that with

    Jamal, Marbury , Francis,

    Its a bit of a KNick Trend.

    We need a pure PG.

  • CircleLimit4

    He’s humoring me??? He doesn’t even know who I am, why would he bother? You’re in denial, give it up already. I’m not the only person here who likes Lawson.

    “And I didnt say hes not worth of discussion GENIUS i said we should focus more on players we should take at 8.Meaning if Curry is at 8 what other players would you consider taking over him that would be available possibly.
    So If you wouldn’t take Flynn or Lawson over Curry why even mention them lets focus on people like Derozan, Henderson, Thabeet Possibly, Jennings thats my argument..”

    I know your argument and again basic logic escapes you. I’ll break it down in a list this time so you can understand.

    1) You claim you never said Lawson and Flynn aren’t worthy of being discuss YET IN THIS SAME COMMENT YOU QUESTION WHY THEY SHOULD EVEN BE MENTIONED! Your hypocrisy is mind-boggling.

    2) Maynor can be mentioned but not Lawson or Flynn??? Pffft.

    3) Why should they even be mentioned? You predicate your argument on Curry as the 8th pick. a) we have no idea what pick we’ll end up with and b) Curry might not be available. The same goes Jennings, Thabeet and maybe DeRozan. I (and others) think Lawson and Flynn are in the running if this is the case, THUS WHY THEY ARE MENTIONED.

    4) Just because YOU put Henderson and DeRozan over Lawson and Flynn does NOT mean everyone does. They can be mentioned! You remain completely oblivious to opinions other than your own.

    5) This pre-draft combine can raise or lower draft stocks. I say anyone within 10 spots of the 8th pick are fair game when it comes to being mentioned.

    6) We already talked about Jennings. GENIUS.

    7) The high horse comes in with your outstanding hubris. I mean, how DARE I even mention Lawson or Flynn!