Much Less Interesting News
Friday, July 31st, 2009Well, it looks like the Bucks could not find a taker for Bruce Bowen. He was released Friday along with Salim Stoudamire. Bowen arrived as part of the Richard Jefferson deal that brought on Amir Johnson and Stoudamire signed late last year as a prospective trade throw-in or summer league surprise. He filled neither role as his salary never came into play and he never made it onto the court in Las Vegas.
The moves save the Bucks a combined amount of roughly $3 million. Bowen had only half of his $4 million contract guaranteed while none of Stoudamire’s $884,881 was guaranteed.
Young, Athletic and Cheap
Friday, July 31st, 2009Young, athletic and cheap is not only the title of this post, but apparently John Hammond’s mantra for this off-season.
Charles F. Gardner is reporting the Bucks have finalized a deal with Hakim Warrick. Marc Stein reported much earlier in the day that the Bucks were one of three teams with interest in the fifth year man out of Syracuse and it appears they were more interested than the other two teams.
If all goes through and Warrick (27…so not quite THAT young) does become a Buck in the next few days that will leave them with some options at the power forward spot. Warrick, Ersan Ilyasova and Amir Johnson were all acquired this summer and all come with equal parts intrigue and danger. Any time a player has his rights renounced by his former team, you’ve always got to be a little weary of that. I said earlier today that it was likely a matter of flexibility and not so much that the Grizzilies didn’t think Warrick could play, but it still raises an eyebrow or two. Much like how the Bucks didn’t feel Charlie Villanueva warranted a qualifying offer. It wasn’t that the Bucks thought Villanueva wasn’t good, they just didn’t think he’d work in their salary structure given what he brought to the table as a player. (more…)
Buck Hits: 7-31
Friday, July 31st, 2009I’ve spent the past week in NY and returned to find things eerily similar in Buckland as when I left. We’re still talking about the Knicks getting closer to making an offer to Ramon Sessions. Bruce Bowen is still a Buck (though maybe not past today) and Dan Gadzuric is probably still shooting jumpers that he has no business shooting. But it’s possible that things could be changing in a hurry. (more…)
Blowing Up Is Hard To Do
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009A lot is being made of the Bucks (potentially) losing Ramon Sessions for nothing, just like a lot was made of the Bucks losing Charlie Villanueva for nothing and similarly how a lot was made of the Bucks losing Richard Jefferson for very VERY little.
“How can the Bucks lose three of their best players from last season for nothing?!”
“Are they crazy?”
“Get (John) Hammond out of office!”
I’ll admit, it looks a little fishy. The Bucks were competing for a playoff spot last year sans Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut for a large part of the campaign. Charlie V. is in his mid-twenties and Sessions in the early part of his. Richard Jefferson, frustrating as he could be, was a reliable source of points on a team deficient of premier scoring options. Once they were healthy they surely would be a contender for one of the last playoff spots available in the East.
But what was the point? (more…)
Five Questions With … Steve Smith
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009I had the opportunity to exchange emails with Oak-Hill Academy basketball coach Steve Smith the other day. I wanted to get his thoughts on former Oak-Hiller Brandon Jennings and his transition to the NBA. His schedule was pretty tight so I appreciate him taking the time to answer a few questions for me.
When Brandon played at Oak Hill he averaged over 30 points per game, but has largely been praised for having great passing instincts. Kevin Love recently said Jennings is one of the only guys he’s ever played with who sees things before they happen. What were your first impressions of him and how did he improve in his year at Oak Hill? What sort of mold do you see him developing as an NBA point guard, a scorer or setup man?
Brandon played here for 2 years – 11th & 12th grade. Brandon has always been very competitive and intense on the floor. He is a great athlete with exceptional strength for his size. In his 2 yrs at OH he improved in every area: maturity, leadership, gauging the game to know when to push it and when to slow down. He is a Nate Archibald or Kenny Anderson type player.
Rod Strickland, Steve Blake, Rajon Rondo, Jeff McGinnis, a lot of notable alumni have played the point guard position at Oak Hill. Each player has their own styles and skills but does Jennings strike you as being similar to any of the other guys who’ve come through?
Brandon does not fit the mold of any of our great, past point guards. As I just said, he is more a Nate A. or K. Anderson type.
It takes a special kind of player and special kind of person to do what Brandon did when he moved to Europe to play for a year. Every person is different and what he did may not work for others, with regard to Brandon as a player do you see that as being beneficial for him? Has it resulted in more maturity?
Brandon matured as a player and a person. He went from being a teenager to a man in a short period of time. But he is still Brandon – fun & full of life.
Will Brandon be able to come in and make an impact in his first year in the league? Or will it take some time?
It might take sometime to adjust but Brandon should be able to contribute as a rookie. He is a very cerebral player.
Last question will be simple. Just finish this statement for me. In ten years Brandon Jennings will be …
In 10 years Brandon should be an experienced pro player leading an NBA team from the point guard position.
One thing that stood out to me in Coach Smith’s answers was that he commented on Jennings strength. That has long been something people have wondered about, would Jennings be strong enough with his slight frame to hold up to the rigors of the NBA game. It’s possible to be strong without looking very strong, so it’s good to hear that Jennings might be one of those guys. Again, kudos to Coach Smith for taking some time to answer my questions.
