Brandon Jennings Goes For 55

It’s not very often that basketball takes my mind off of football before December, but it happened this weekend when Milwaukee Bucks’ rookie phenom Brandon Jennings went for 55 points in a 129-125 victory over Golden State this past Saturday.

It was the third most points scored by a rookie ever in an NBA game. It was the second most points scored by a Milwaukee Bucks player of any age in a game in franchise history. It was the most points scored by a rookie in 42 years. BJ scored 29 of those points in the third quarter as the Bucks rolled to their fourth victory in a row, their longest winning streak in over two years.

So those are the stats. Now for the reaction. I am absolutely amazed at this kid. And I am so excited that we might finally have a superstar in Milwaukee for the first time since Ray Allen (sorry Michael Redd). Watching the highlights of this game was incredible. The thing that impresses me most about Brandon Jennings is how he has a feel for the game. He seems to play well beyond his years.

Of course, there are skeptics already. Reading a blog after the game, I read about fans complaining that he shoots too much. The response to that was would you rather have Charlie Bell jacking up those shots? No thanks. This is a Bucks team that has been terrible for four years. They need someone who shoots too much especially if that player is actually going to make those shots.

The one thing I don’t agree with though is that we don’t need Michael Redd. I think Redd can play a huge role for this team. That is the role of the shooter who spots up and waits for passes from Jennings or Bogut and then drains threes. Of course he is still the type of player who can penetrate and dish the ball as well, but these are not his strengths. The past four years, we have relied on Redd way too much. Now he can settle into a role as one of three major options and concentrate on playing to his strengths.

I might be getting a little ahead of myself seven games into this young season, but I am excited about this team for the first time in a few years. Even if they don’t get to the playoffs this year, the first seven games are a good sign for the bright future ahead.