Brandon Jennings is not taking the conventional road to the NBA. He’s playing pro ball in the Italian League for Lottomatica Roma but will undoubtedly be one of the top handful of picks in the 2009 NBA Draft. A lot of the analysts have said that it will be good for Jennings’ game to play in Europe as the game there is considered by many to be more physical with more contact allowed. But Brandon’s team is not all that great, and on some nights his team is getting blown out.
So does playing for a team that gets beat on a regular basis make a player more “accepting” of losing? Generally I would think the answer would be, NO, however I was pretty alarmed at something that happened at the end of a blowout loss Jennings’ team suffered recently.
Brandon’s team Lottomatica Roma was getting blown out 99-64 by Unicaja, and with less than half minute to play the opposing team purposely fouled Brandon so they could get one more possession after his free throws and try and score 100 points in the game. That is something you would never see in the NBA, well, not without a brawl to follow. NBA players have far too much pride and ego to let someone do that to them, even if they are getting blown out. Wait a second…ESPECIALLY if they are getting blown out.
Inconsequentially Brandon missed both of his free throws. But then the Unicaja player missed their first shot attempt at the century mark, so then what shocked me was Brandon purposely fouled the opposing team to let them get to the free throw line and get to their 100 point mark. All the while he could be seen smiling and joking.
I’m sorry but regardless of what level of basketball you are playing, if you consider yourself a serious competitor you don’t joke, smile, and laugh after being blown out by 30+ points. Especially if you ever have any hopes of being a leader to your teammates. Even though Jennings is a rookie over there, i’m fairly certain all of his teammates are aware that he is only there a short time as a stepping stone to playing in the NBA.
Brandon is going to be drafted high this year, he has too much raw talent to be denied. But I hope to hell for Brandon and what ever team that drafts him, that he develops a bit more of a nastier side before he plays in the NBA. If not, he’ll be eaten alive. Here’s the video clip i’m referring to:
