Jennings Comes to Town

by Tommy Dee on February 5th, 2010 at 11:29 am

It’s been a busy week from a point guard discussion from the coach’s decision to bench Chris Duhon in favor of Nate Robinson, to Isiah Thomas on WFAN, to the passing of Knicks legend Dick McGuire.

And now, here comes Brandon Jennings to end the work-week.

There has been no bigger, more polarizing topic for fans this season (summer 2010 aside of course) than the Jordan Hill/ Jennings debate. It’s what makes the draft so captivating.

Jennings hasn’t been very good lately, in fact he’s shot over 50% from the field just 3 times since November 20th, and Walsh’s first choice in the draft Tyreke Evans is cementing his case for the Rookie of Year trophy. But make no mistake, if Jennings comes into the building and goes off and the Bucks win, you can officially stick a fork in the Knicks’ season before the All-Star break.

If you’re a fan of Jennings, or even if you swear you are despite seeing him all but 3 times, or you don’t like him even for the same reasons, pay particular attention to him tonight. Watch and see if he’s the second coming of Chris Paul or if he dominates the ball in a way that this franchise has seen far too often over the past decade. It’s too early to call Jennings great in my opinion, because there are so few great point guards per generation. Be patient, give the kid a chance, and let’s really see.

McGuire had a huge impact on Walt Frazier’s development, as the Knick great learned the most important part of being a lead guard was leadership and getting the ball to players in the right spots. Maybe Jennings doesn’t have much talent around him, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to lose confidence and constantly call his own number.

Maybe he has that great ability at a young age to get teammates involved in the first half, pace himself, and take over the game in the 4th quarter…EVERY NIGHT.

Keep an eye out to see if he is someone you want to build around and keep around and win with for a decade, or someone you’d think would find his way off the team in a few years.Is the fact that he’s doing what he’s doing at 19 overly incredible and his ceiling through the roof, or if he doesn’t get stronger on that wirey frame will he be putting up the same numbers at 26.

Would he more  likely have been Frazier, Rod Strickland or in between if he were drafted here?  Would he have captivated the city like Mark Jackson only to be exposed for his defensive liabilities once the Knicks became a serious playoff team?  Jackson, remember, for all his highlight passes and glamor was not a Pat Riley favorite for that exact reason.

Because at the end of the day that’s the point. It’s not does he “embarrass” other players with his moves, or make ESPN’s Top Plays. It’s about quarterbacking a team to a place that the franchise hasn’t seen in some time.It’s about getting people involved and getting wins. Yes, he’s better than anything on the current Knicks roster, but who cares? This roster means nothing. No one really knows what Brandon Jennings’ career would have amounted to in New York. What fans are armed with is speculation.

Maybe Hill only becomes a serviceable big guy. Maybe he’ll be better than that. All teams need big, athletic bodies. They, of course,  are not as essential as the quarterback of your offense.

Tonight is an important night for this franchise on a small scale, they know it’s a must win on so many levels. Because every decision-maker stands by important decisions and if Jennings plays well and the Bucks walk out with a win, Knick fans, right or wrong, will be questioning the decision making of the front office.

As if they haven’t started already.

Kenny Anderson talks Brandon Jennings’ development.
  • BigDaddybluesman

    The point is that the Knicks needed a point guard period. Duhon was the only true PG on the roster and he’s not very good. We not only needed a backup but we needed a young player at this position to develop.

    What did we get, a short combo guard(who I like) and another PF who may end up being a center. They have done nothing so far to help this team win. Is that because they are not ready or because D’Antoni is clueless. Either way it doesn’t matter because we needed a point guard.

    How could any team go into the season with one PG on their roster and a poor one at that. That’s insane. Most teams have at least 2 PGs who can run the team. Some do have one legit PG and one that is not that good at running a team, he is more for scoring off the bench. The Celtics are a team like that. But look who they have on their roster.

  • Mucha

    The Knicks needed a point guard so they should have picked Brandon Jennings but maybe he’s the next Sebastian Telfair and Jordan Hill is the next Jermaine O’Neal. I’m not saying that’s the case but if Donnie Walsh thought that Hill was significantly better than Jennings then his choice was legitimate. But obviously Brandon Jennings has been a better NBA player thus far.

    The gem of the draft was Tyreke Evans though. I’m more frustrated by the fact that Evans didn’t slip/that Donnie Walsh couldn’t trade up to draft him than the fact that we passed on Brandon Jennings.

  • x-man

    Well, let’s hope Jennings does drive to the hoop often tonite with Lee underneath! That’ll surely skewer things making Jennings out to be the next Isiah Thomas. Oh lord, did I just say that!

    The Cavs are on a 10 game winning streak at 40-11! I think Donnie’s got his work cut out for him.

  • x-man

    I hear ya but this GM with with double Ds. Duhon and Douglas! Now we’re playing N8 and Hughes!

    But there are guards to be had for sure and we need a legit Center..preferably one that can cover up the donut hole.

  • trenttucker

    I’m just as interested to see Lee against Andrew Bogut. I predict big things for the big Aussie. Or will they put Jeffries on Bogut since Duhon isn’t starting (and JJ won’t have to guard Jennings)?

  • oscar f

    Why do you think Donnie thought Hill was significantly better than Jennings. When asked about it it seems as if he thought it was a mistake that he blames on others. The thing is how many people on this blog thinks that if Donnie can do it over he would still Pick Hill honestly? The fact is that he cant do it over so it’s ” spilt milk”, get over it. I dont know why Tommy keeps bringing it up! Its a moot topic. who cares if he is better than Hill, if he is what does it change really. Donnie just needs to work hard to make it not seem like such a loss. Improve the team and especially at the 1 spot.

  • x-man

    I would go with the latter! Our coach would be better served putting Lee on the Weekend at Bernies dude!

  • Mucha

    I think Donnie Walsh would pick Jennings if he had to do it again but Hill’s stats were clearly better than Jennings – BJ was a dark horse.

    I wanted to see the Knicks pick a point guard (Jrue Holiday in particular) but let’s not forget that Hill was projected as a top-5 pick a couple of weeks before the draft. That’s why I was satisfied with the pick even though Walsh should have picked a PG IMO. But he desperately needs to make a trade for Bayless, Rubio, Flynn or Augustin now, no doubt about that.

  • _avi_LeeSucks

    There is 1 think I know fasho!

    Brandon Jennings is a better point guard (which was/still a desperate need of this team) than Jordan Hill will ever be.

    Most teams in the NBA have 2-3 point guards on them, this team has 1 (for 2 years).

    Do the math.

  • NoVaCaInE

    Amen!!! It is so obvious Hill was drafted as insurance for Lee. I don’t get why Jennings is constantly brought up as well. The NBA Draft is such a crap shoot. I’m sure ATL would have selected CP3 or D-Will if they could do it over. Portland would have taken Jordan over Bowie and Durant over Greg I can’t stay on the floor Oden. Milwaukee would have taken Bynum, CP3 or D-Will over Bogut. In Detroit’s case Melo, Bosh or Wade would have been taken over our bench warmer and the list goes on…

  • _avi_LeeSucks

    thing*

  • barnaby8787

    Random but according to espn inside, CDR is on the block. Granted, we have chandler, but he would be another young piece. Also, Camby will be on the block if the clippers lose some more games between now and the 18th which seems inevitable.

  • DVJ

    Nate is going to murder this guy tonight….remember I said that.

  • VOR

    I just can’t wait to see my guy N8 against the guy who i called a bball prodigy about a year or so ago! The fourth quarter tonight is gonna be “a can’t miss show!”

  • starksoakmase

    Its the age old draft question: do you draft for need/position or do you pick the best talent available.

    History has proven over and over that you draft for talent.
    Portland 1984:Why take Jordan? We have Drexler.
    Portland 2007: Why take Durant? centers are invaluable and hard to come by.

    Donnie took the best available talent. i love Hill’s raw skills, hopefully he has the Leelike drive and determination to hone those skills. Time will tell with the Hill/Jennings debate, way too early to tell.

  • starksoakmase

    Did you say that Jennings is a better PG then Hill will ever be?

    The question is; who will be the better player?

  • VOR

    “The NBA Draft is such a crap shoot”

    @ NoVaCaInE – Or is it that there are so many clueless GMs making franchise destroying decisions??? Atlanta at that time needed a pg just as bad as the Knicks need one now, and having a glut of forwards at the time still drafted another forward based on his “upside”, and Portland, maybe understandable the first time with them having Drexler at the 2G spot (though drexler could have played the point IMO), but to pass on “DURANT”, to do the same thing “AGAIN”? How anyone with a bball eye not know this guy was a “SPECIAL” player is beyond me. Detroit not taking Mellow, I have no answer for that . But let the archives note on February 5, 2010, VOR had stated that “If the Knicks some how find a way to get a 1st rd pick from somewhere and Lance Stephenson is there, if DW don’t snatch up this guy, this star in waiting, we’ll have our answer as to whether or not the draft is a crap shoot for our GM or is DW as “SENILE AND CLUELESS AS I THINK HE IS!”

  • barnaby8787

    Lance Stephenson probably won’t crack the first round man…he’s overrated…

  • barnaby8787

    By the way, if we get back into the first, willie warren’s stock has dropped lately so maybe he’ll fall enough so we can grab him. I like craig brackins from iowa state also.

  • VOR

    How did i forget about that GM in Minn.. If the reason that GM have made some of the most asinine decisions any GM have ever made in any sport not due to the fact that he is clueless, the only other explanations it can be is that he is taking some serious drugs, or that he is purposely trying to ruin that franchise, or both!

  • VOR

    Lance Stephenson is over rated? That’s the same comment I’d expect to come from the minn. GM!

  • VOR

    I like Willie Warren, I don’t care to much for his jump shot (the way he shoot the ball from his chest), but I’d take him. Over Lance, NO!

  • barnaby8787

    He is man. Poor intangibles; above average jumpshot. If he was smart, he would stay in college longer. He won’t be nba ready for a few years.

  • barnaby8787

    LOL, they are two different types of players. Willie’s a combo guard; Lance is more like a derozan type. High flyer with a decent jumper. Willie will go before lance in the draft.

  • VOR

    If the knicks somehow signed LBJ, i would take Willie, but Lance is another special player who after 2 full seasons in the NBA will be a star!

  • VOR

    Willie is a poor, poor, poor man’s Monta Ellis. Derozan is nice, but Lance is a special player, trust me!

  • barnaby8787

    I see him as an above average 2-guard at best personally….but i like willie. Granted, we need a true point; not a combo guard but our options are limited. If we somehow got a first rounder back and somehow brackins fell, him and gallo would be a nasty combo; especially since he has some form of a post game to go along with his 3 point shooting ability. Kind of reminds me of harrington a little bit (with more upside hopefully). But second round, sherron collins would be nice if he fell. If not maybe shved, but again, combo guard.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    honestly.
    u draft the best player available

    but u need good scouts/people that know about basketball for that
    something rare for the knicks…

  • VOR

    Another forward!?! Did i read your post right, that you want the Knicks to draft another forward?!? If Donnie was to do that it better be because he had just traded the “FORWARD” he just drafted a year early for “LANCE STEPHENSON!

  • barnaby8787

    Considering we’re losing d-lee and harrington aka our two best scorers to free agency, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

  • VOR

    I’ve seen tape of Shved but i’ve never seen one of his games. Sherron Collins I like, but i would rather have Renardo Sydney and his “upside” as my second round pick!

  • nyk_realist

    Even if we had drafted Jennings, do you folks really believe he would’ve gotten off the pine for D’Antoni?

    I don’t.

  • VOR

    The Knicks are not gonna lose DLee, because LBJ, Dwade, Bosh, JJ, Amare are not coming.

  • VOR

    @ nyk_realist – That question can’t be for me because i already said that IMO Jennings is a “bball prodigy”, and “YOU PLAY PRODIGIES!”

  • barnaby8787

    Sidney doesn’t fit our system…he’s prob up to high 200′s in regards to weight now…

  • Boots

    Don’t forget:
    Detroit: “Why take Carmelo Anthony? We have Prince.

  • _avi_LeeSucks

    “hopefully he has the Leelike drive…”

    Hopefully he doesn’t and learns to have some pride in stopping people that drive down broadway.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    but the knicks should draft him
    if he’s available

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    he will be a sleeper.
    so far they have him late first to anywhere second.

  • _avi_LeeSucks

    Jennings has undeniably won the Bucks several games this year and started more than half the season thus far, while Hill has been glued to the bench on a losing team.

    Sooooo… I’ll let you tell it.

    But seriously, the Jury is still out. Hill could turn out to be a stud or just a servicable big. Jennings is a few years younger and is learning the most difficult position in the NBA and has already shown star potential

    We’ll see how it plays out.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    there is a possiblity the knicks could have a worse team next season.

    an no 1 thought that..

    lmao..

    if amare knows better he should not opt
    cuz i don’t see any team signing him for more than he’s going to make next season…

  • VOR

    Only because of Lance’s negative “past” is he considered a late 1st / early 2nd rd pick. I hope he do drop, drop right into the Knicks lap! This Cat is a play-maker, game changer, finisher, #1 option type bllr, of the likes that the knicks haven’t had since Bernard King was littering the garden with corpses who thought they could stop him!

  • DWknickfan

    Lance Stephenson a star in 2 years??? He is not a star in college. Reminds me more of Felipe Lopez than LBJ. He has the ability to be a notch below ron artest, if he used his strength on the defensive end. Star, I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

    Also, I read in earlier posts about Henderson being included in a deal for Jeffries/Landry/TD. Serious? I can’t see them giving up on Henderson this soon, especially for Jeffries. It’s all nice to come up with scenarios that favor te Knicks, but we have to be realistic.

  • starksoakmase

    Did you watch Lee his rookie year? He looked like noah on offense.
    Now look at him. That takes a lot of hard work.

  • http://buyalprazolamdiscountd.mypublicsquare.com Buy alprazolam without prescription.

    Buy alprazolam 2mg bars….

    Buy alprazolam uk….