Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made waves when he changed his name. Brandon Jennings, on the other hand, is busy changing the game. On Saturday night, B-Jen dropped 55 points, breaking Kareem’s (then Lew Alcindor) Bucks rookie record of 51, falling only three shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time rookie mark. So where are all the haters now? Where are the doubters who shook their heads when they heard Jennings wanted to exercise his right to seek gainful employment after high school? I’ve got 55 reasons why they should reconsider:
1. I don’t know if I made this clear, but he scored 55 points last night. 2. The moment he landed in Italy last year, Under Armour gave him $2 million. 3. I don’t remember being offered $2 million when I arrived at college. 4. Because he’s not friends with Joe Budden anymore. 5. Coming out of high school, Jrue Holiday was ranked as the best point guard by Scout.com. Jennings had a “rough” time in Europe, while Holiday got to start at UCLA and had a decent, yet inconsistent, year. 7. The Bucks drafted Jennings 10th. He’s averaging 26 points per game and starting. Holiday went 17th to the Sixers. He’s averaging 2.5 points and is riding the bench. Hmm… 8. His new hairstyle is cool. 9. I know, I know. His old hairstyle was even cooler. 10. While his peers were in college (what a waste of time…sheesh!), Jennings was getting paid a milli to play basketball in a foreign land. Life sucks. 11. Scott Skiles’ profanity-laced rants can sometimes sound like a foreign language. Old hat for B-Jen after playing abroad. 12. Italy is famous for spaghetti and caprese. College is famous Ramen noodles and Capri Suns. 13. Just to make sure we’re on the same page, he scored 55 points last night. 14. Because…just watch this:
14. Because he’s playing for a coach who’s smart enough to make him shut down his Twitter. 15. He avoided getting drafted by the Knicks. That’s a big win in my book. 16. He’s a lefty who’s lethal with his right as well, which should come in handy when hoisting the Rookie of the Year Trophy with both hands. 17. He might not look too bad in an All-Star jersey next year, if not this season. 18. By the time Rubio comes over here, B-Jen will have already Continue Reading…
While 60 young men were celebrating the realization of their NBA dreams, the world was mourning the loss of Michael Jackson. So, to recap the 14 players plucked from European squads on draft night, we will borrow some songs from the greatest entertainer of our generation:
Ricky Rubio (#5-Timberwolves): “You Are Not Alone”. Congratulations, Ricky! You’re our starting point guard and the face of the franchise! But…uh…we’re going to draft three more point guards, just in case.
Brandon Jennings (#10-Bucks):“Wanna Be Startin’ Something” . Brandon Jennings has been known to stir things up and talk out of turn. Bucks coach Scott Skiles doesn’t particularly go for that sort of thing. We may have an 82-round brawl on our hands.
Victor Claver (#22-Trailblazers):“Black or White”. White men can’t jump. But don’t tell that to Woody Harrelson. Or Victor Claver. Dude has hops.
Omri Casspi (#23-Kings): “We’re Almost There”. While he may stay overseas another year, he’s very close to contributing to Sacramento’s re-building efforts.
Rodrigue Beaubois (#25-Thunder):“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”. Despite erratic play, poor shot selection and questions about his durability, Beaubois’s sporadic outbursts of athleticism kept him close to the hearts of scouts worldwide.
Christian Eyenga (#30-Cavaliers):“Smooth Criminal”. Eyenga snuck into the back end of the first round despite an unimpressive body of work, and could be stealing Cleveland’s money.
Hello World this is your resident hoopologist Slam checking in with his first of many running diaries. I’m going to be you analysis on the 2009 NBA Draft, also known from this point on of Draft de Complementary Players. If you’re looking for a stud in this draft outside of the top 5, then you might as well move along, this draft is tailor made for teams looking for role players. Now let’s get into some pre-game talk, Stu Scott takes us away.
7:02 p.m. - We just got word the Dick Vitale is going to be making an appearance, everyone get your earplugs out.
7:03 - Who has more hair gel Andy Katz or Rick Bucher? I say tossup.
OR
7:06 – John Barr tells that there is “tons of excitement” around the Shaq trade, then why does he sound so unexcited? Between Shaq, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter getting traded I think the most valuable guy is Richard Jefferson. Shaq won’t be able to have back to back monster seasons and Vince Carter’s greatest achievement is winning the Dunk Contest
7:11 – All the analysts are praising Orlando for getting Vince Carter but doesn’t this mean they can’t sign Hedo Turkoglu? Hedo was their ball handler in the clutch last year and isn’t he more valuable to the team than Vince “I need my shots” Carter, let’s think big picture here.
7:13 – A camera in the Clippers war room: an inside look on how to screw up an NBA team.
Got to love that nose
7:21 – Some Ricky Rubio talk FINALLY. We even have an interview EUROLEAGUE BABY. Let’s rate Ricky: English- C- Style- D Nose- A+. Ricky loves the beaches in California, is that an open petition to try and be a Sacramento King? I hope not but Rubio is going to be the funniest point guard to watch for the next 10 years so let’s hope he doesn’t end up in purgatory in Sactown.
7:32 – “New York home of the Knicks and Liberty” thanks David Stern but I think we all agree you can shorten that statement next year. But HERE WE GO, some NBA Draft. I say Blake Griffin goes one, call me crazy.
7:35 – OO yes a montage of Clippers #1 draft picks, the Kandi-Man made a jump hook, really? They can do anything with video nowadays, the Clippers can’t mess up Blake Griffin, I think.
7:38 – Blake Griffin first pick what? Who? When? Yes this was a can’t miss pick; he scored at will in college and grabbed rebounds from all over the place. If Griffin can get a go-to post move and he can be a killer on the fast break, look out.
7:43 – Exclusive Mike Dunleavy interview. He says “We’re going to look and see what’s the best decision for our team.” I’m going to go with that’s the opposite of what he has been doing since he’s gotten there.
7:45 – Hasheem Thabeet is our 2nd pick, do I have to wait or say it now: BUST. As a Syracuse fan I watched UConn all year and Thabeet has zero offensive game. Yes he can change the game defensively but he is abysmal offensively, think Ben Wallace but with injury concerns cause he’s so big.
1. I don’t know if I made this clear, but he scored 55 points last night.
OR 
