Photo Credit: Russ Isabella/USA TODAY Sports
Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons have already done something the Milwaukee Bucks never did—made Brandon Jennings happy.
Entering the fifth season of his NBA career, Jennings has shot better than 40 percent from the field only once, never made it out of the first round of the playoffs and been generally unhappy in Milwaukee. Especially last season.
Last year is last year, though. Jennings is headed to Detroit, to play next to Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond with the Pistons. It’s a fresh start, a clean slate. Something that completely shifts the mood of the Jennings we have come to know.
Per Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, Jennings didn’t say much about the deal other then he’s trying to “stay under the radar for now” and that he was “happy” about the trade.
Word of advice: The best way to stay under the radar is to not say that you’re trying to stay under the radar. Kind of negates the whole premise of what is you’re trying to do. Just so you know.
Anyway, Jennings’ newfound happiness isn’t something that should be all too surprising. Although he doesn’t appear to be as elated as a green-lighted Monta Ellis, it’s a well-known fact his career had run its course in Milwaukee.
He wasn’t the player the Bucks wanted him to be, and the team didn’t support him (aka pay him) the way Jennings wanted them to. A mutual parting of the ways was best for all involved. Jennings has the opportunity to start anew in Detroit, playing for a team that could be either really good or really, really bad.
Before you go reading too far into Jennings’ lukewarm sentiments—did he really say enough to show he was happy?—consider that Jennings was showing his support for Motown even before the Pistons traded for him.
At the Drew League last weekend, SoleCollector.com (h/t NBA.com) got hold of a picture featuring Jennings donning some Pistons gear.
Photo via SoleCollector.com.
Is that really a coincidence? Maybe.
Or maybe he’s been planning this kind of move since before he could clang shots off the rim of a regular-sized hoop:
Photo via SoleCollector.com.
That’s pretty damning evidence. Jennings must have been plotting to force his way to the Motor City for almost two decades. That’s obviously the only explanation (sarcasm).
At least we know now that he’s genuinely happy about leaving Milwaukee (who wouldn’t be?) for Detroit. There may not be a championship to be won with the Pistons next season (there isn’t), but at least the team seems to have a direction.
All that’s left for Jennings to do is shed his largely inefficient ways while becoming the leader of a young team who can coexist with a multitude of personalities, including that of J-Smoove, Chauncey Billups, Drummond and Monroe.
Oh, and the under the radar thing too. Avoiding situations where he can be shamed as selfish or cancerous would be a great away to kick off his tenure in Detroit.
Easy enough. Right?
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
