Brandon Jennings with assistant athletic trainer Scott Barthlama and Ekpe Udoh.
Pop quiz: Name the longest-tenured player on the Milwaukee Bucks roster as measured by games played for the team.
It used to be such an easy answer, right? For so many years, it was Michael Redd. And once he left, it was clearly Andrew Bogut.
But now, for the first time since the year 2000, the Bucks have opened a training camp with neither player on the team. In other words, the last time neither of those guys wore a Milwaukee uniform, guys like Sam Cassell, Danny Manning and Haywoode Workman did.
So yes, it was odd being at Monday’s annual Bucks Media Day and not hearing Bogut’s Australian-accented quips or looking into Redd’s pensive eyes. The voice and face of the franchise have clearly changed.
Cynical fans might say it’s for the better. After all, what did the Bucks ever accomplish with either player driving the bus? There were a handful of short playoff runs, most recently the Fear the Deer fun of 2010. But even in that one, neither Redd nor Bogut played a postseason minute, as injuries robbed both of the opportunity.
But to deny their contributions through the years is disingenuous. Charitable and community outreach efforts aside, every team needs a bell cow, even losing teams. A familiar face that fans can rally around and pin their hopes upon. Someone they can look to and say, “You know, if he puts it all together tonight or this year, maybe, just maybe…”
Now, that spotlight will shine on someone new. We’re just not sure who, especially given that none of the obvious choices have a telltale, megamoney guaranteed franchise contract.
Is it Brandon Jennings, the 23-year-old who at times embodies that youth, at times seems like he’s going on 30? “I wouldn’t say yes, I wouldn’t say no,” Jennings mused Monday. “I am a leader. I’ve been here for four years. I wouldn’t call myself a vet yet, but if any young guys want any advice, I would give it to them.”
Is it Monta Ellis, who is definitely a veteran and was the main return piece in last season’s trade of Bogut? “This is not Monta Ellis,” he said Monday. “This is the Milwaukee Bucks.”
Is it somebody else who’ll surprise? New center Samuel Dalembert? The high-motored Ersan Ilyasova? Budding talents like Tobias Harris, Larry Sanders and John Henson?
Is it the answer to that pop quiz about the longest-tenured Bucks player? That would be Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who’s played 277 games for Milwaukee, 10 more than Ilyasova.
Time will tell, but the one clear thing is this.
The Bucks are in the midst of a changing of the guard, and with change comes uncertainty.
As a new season nears, it brings with it the usual optimism about the team’s coming fortunes. This may be the most complete team during the Scott Skiles/John Hammond era. “On paper,” Jennings said, “I think this would have to be the best so far.”
Now they have to go out and prove it.
Maybe, just maybe…
