Back in October, I happened to be leaving Milwaukee Bucks media day at the same time as somebody who was new in town. He was all alone, hooded head and slight frame making him indistinguishable from any number of other young players with big-time dreams, be they professionals, collegians or prepsters.
We stepped out into the Cousins Center parking lot and, making small talk, I asked how he liked Milwaukee so far. He said he liked it just fine (so yeah, it wasn’t Josh Smith). In fact, the new guy complimented our fair city as a “kinda chill” town. The sort of place where you could buckle down and focus on getting some work done.
Well, Brandon Jennings certainly did that.
On Monday, I was back in that Cousins Center parking lot, right after the Bucks finished up their season-ending media sessions. There was Jennings again, this time surrounded by a few people and getting his picture taken. Yeah, it’s a tad harder for him to be alone these days, to say nothing of indistinguishable. Later, he spent a few minutes chatting with a reporter before driving off in a black SUV, the license plate advertising his still-growing Young Buck nickname.
What happened between those days in October and May is nothing short of amazing. This became a Bucks season of magic when it was supposed to be mediocre at best, and Milwaukee learned to love its pro basketball team again.
Jennings was an indispensable part of that formula, announcing his presence with that 55-point game before settling into his true role as a pass-first, tempo-setting point guard. Simply put, Milwaukee found its next athletic star. Jennings has become the Bucks’ version of Ryan Braun, a rookie who’s made an immediate impact and will continue to do so. Moreover, he doesn’t just have a game that feels mature beyond its years, he has an attitude to match.
When all that Rookie of the Year talk could’ve swelled his head, he reminded people that this is a team game. When he only placed third in Rookie of the Year voting, he pointed toward the true reward of helping his team to the playoffs. And when that playoff run ended on Sunday, he sounded as satisfied as Tony Siragusa after tuna tartar.
“This summer I’ll work out, get stronger and come back a totally different player,” Jennings said.
And next season, the Bucks will be a different team. Key players such as Luke Ridnour, John Salmons and Kurt Thomas can explore free agency, and they may find more lucrative offers elsewhere. For as much progress as the Bucks have made, they’re still in salary cap purgatory thanks to the unwise financial decisions of former general manager Larry Harris.
One thing that stood out from Monday’s interviews was how noncommittal Salmons was about his future in Milwaukee. While the well-traveled shooting guard admitted that, “Moving is getting a little old,” in his next breath, he acknowledged it was part of the business. And even though he seemed to finally find a place where his talents were fully appreciated, it sure sounded like that might not be enough to keep him here.
“It’s definitely a great option,” Salmons said of staying in Milwaukee, making it clear that this was far from his only one. And Racine Journal Times columnist Gery Woelfel, who’s so on top of Bucks stories that you wonder if he taps their phone lines, has already addressed the possibility that Salmons could become, of all things, an Atlanta Hawk.
Should Salmons leave, John Hammond’s to-do gets that much longer. Add shooting guard to a shopping list that already includes power forward, and don’t expect any help from Michael Redd, who enforced the notion that he’s part of the Bucks’ past by staying in Ohio during Milwaukee’s playoff run.
But Bucks fans should have full faith in Hammond to do what must be done. Never doubt that the newly christened NBA Executive of the Year has a plan for every contingency. You can trust that somehow, some way, he’ll make things work.
Hmm… trusting the Bucks. What a novel concept for Milwaukee. And like Jennings, a welcome newcomer.
Most Valuable Rookie?
If it weren’t for the ascendance of Jennings, there’s another NBA rookie who surely would’ve been the toast of Milwaukee. Because he’s certainly been the toast of the NBA playoffs.
For all the publicity earned by reigning ROY Tyreke Evans or ROY runnerup Stephen Curry, and for all that Jennings did in Milwaukee, has there been a more improbable story than the one penned by Wes Matthews?
Sure, he’s off playing in Utah, from whence news may still travel via Pony Express. But what Matthews has done is news worth noting. For the extended version, check out this fine feature by Tim Buckley of the Deseret News.
The bottom line, however, is this: If the true value of a rookie is tied to his impact on team success, than Matthews is near the top of a very short list.
Has Matthews been more valuable than Jennings? Probably not quite, simply because Jennings has been asked to do more for Milwaukee. But would Utah be where it is without Matthews? Definitely not.
Milwaukee fell in love with Matthews during his stirring string of success at Marquette, one built as much on tenacity as talent. Now that story is being replayed by the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
How much does Jazz coach Jerry Sloan think of Matthews? Don’t judge that by Matthews’ 48 starts or the relatively modest stat line of 9.4 points per game during the regular season. Judge it by the playoffs. And not just the 14 points per game or the 37 percent 3-point shooting, but by the defensive assignments he’s drawn. Ever hear of Carmelo Anthony? Or Kobe Bryant?
Yep, Matthews supposedly wasn’t good enough to be drafted by anyone, not even the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, he’s valuable enough to guard Kobe freaking Bryant in the most important games of the season?
Evans may have that ROY award. But Utah’s reward is worth much more.
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