Initial Rookie Report, Sessions Update, Other updates
The update on Sessions is, there is no update. The Knicks still appear to be the major player in the discussion, but likely are still waiting to see what happens with Andre Miller. It is sounding more like the offer for Sessions could come down to 4 years for slightly less than the MLE, which is right in the zone of where the Bucks will give it a lol of thought. There is a rumor floating around that Portland is interested in Andre Miller, if that were to happen, Sessions would be back in the main view of the Knicks radar. For more on Sessions and a possible Bruce Bowen trade checkout Frank Madden’s BrewHoop as he updates the Sessions Rumors.
ESPN Insider has released an initial rookie report. They rank based on talent plus opportunity equals overall production. You will need access to Insider to view it, here are some of the details:
The top 5 were
1. Blake Griffin
2. Tyreke Evans
3. Jonny Flynn
4. Demar DeRozan
5. Brandon Jennings
This is what they have to say about Jennings
"If Ramon Sessions stays in Milwaukee, Jennings will fall out of the top 10. But because Sessions is expected to leave, Jennings projects to play major minutes. And he’s too talented not to put up some impressive numbers.Jennings plays like a true point, looking to score only if it’s the best option. And he showed in summer league that he can make players better, especially in transition. As I watched him play in Vegas, I kept thinking, “Who wouldn’t like playing with this guy?” If Jennings accepts the tough love he’ll get from Bucks coach Scott Skiles, he will be a candidate for rookie of the year."
I think this speaks to the optomism a lot of Bucks fans have for Jennings. He performed very well in the summer league, and I feel with or without Sessions, he will get an opportunity to play a lot. I have no doubt that Jennings can be the rookie of the year as stated, he was the star of his class coming out, and if he had played at Arizona last year instead of Europe, he would have been a top 3 pick.
I think it says a lot that ESPN has Jennings ranked in the top 5. During the draft I really got the feeling of resentment towards Jennings from ESPN. College Basketball is what put ESPN on the map in the early days and their College Basketball analysts are holding on for dear life as the sport has completely eroded. You won’t catch Dickie V or Jay Bilas making too many positive comments about Jennings, or any other player that bypasses college for Europe.
Jodie Meeks is a 2nd rounder, and all 2nd rounders were given a Best of the Rest grade since it is unsure which 2nd rounder will get to stick with their team, but they did say positive things regarding Meeks:
"It’s hard to ask for more than what Meeks did in Vegas, where he hit a lot of big shots and competed at a high level. He looks like a surefire NBA player, and his attitude seems perfect for the kind of coaching he’ll get. He was all business during summer league play."
Some other point guards of note. Stephen Curry was number 7 given this feedback
"Curry might have been the second-most disappointing rookie in Vegas (though he was second by a long shot to Hasheem Thabeet), shooting poorly and with seemingly no thoughts behind his actions. But on the other hand, he found a way to contribute in other areas."
On draft night, it sounded like Vitale thought there should have been a separate draft just for Curry since he guaranteed Curry would be Special Baby! How tiring has Vitales schtick gotten? I do think Curry will have a niche in the league due to his shot, but he is not as athletic as Flynn and Jennings.
Jeff Teague and Ty Lawson were at 14 and 15, with Teague it sounds like the ranking has as much to do with playing time as anything.
Then Jrue Holiday was on the project list, when the Bucks were on the clock at 10 I knew it came down to Jennings or Holiday and I was praying for Jennings, here is what ESPN said:
"Holiday had the double misfortune of not playing the point for an entire season at UCLA (though after watching Collison’s talent it’s easy to understand why), then getting to do it for the hybrid Nets-Sixers team that never jelled at all. The bad news is that every part of his offensive game seemed below par, but the good news is that his talent was obvious. He’s a solid prospect to be sure, and the best news is that he defended the ball better than any guard we saw in either summer league."
I guess Iam just not that excited about a defensive PG, at least not in the top10. The talents they discuss with Holiday, they always mention his defense, great, but can he do anything on the offensive end? I just feel he was overrated all year and given a lot of excuses for his lack of production at UCLA. I am very happy the Bucks took Jennings.
In other news. It appears Lamar Odom will sign a 4year, $40million deal to stay with the Lakers. I think this was a must for the Lakers as Odom provided them with the extra length on the front line to go with Bynam and Gasol. By keeping Odom and upgrading from Ariza to Artest, the Lakers againg have to be looked at as the favorite going into next season.