Exclusive Interview with the Bucks’ Brandon Jennings

A week ago here on TheHoopDoctors.com, we gave you exclusive insider access to Brandon Jennings’ Under Armour sneaker launch in New York. Well, later on in the week, I had to the change to chop it up with Brandon while he was in LA for the Boost Mobile Elite 24, and literally on his way to do “Jim Rome is Burning.”

Brandon is the talk of the basketball / sneaker world of late because he is the first basketball player to endorse Under Armour and as you know, his Micro G Black Ice kicks become available in November. I had the chance to talk to Brandon about his new shoe, his Rookie season, and the inspiration behind his various hairstyles.

Kevin Burke: Hey, Brandon. What’s going on, man? Thanks for making yourself available for a few minutes. First off, congratulations on your first sneaker launch with Under Armour. I was actually at your sneaker launch in New York last week. How does it feel?

Brandon Jennings: Man, it feels good. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been with Under Armour for two years and we’re finally here. We knew the day would come. I’m fortunate to have been surrounded by great people here at Under Armour who were able to make this all possible and it feels good that we’re here now.

Kevin Burke: So talk to me about this shoe, your Micro G Black Ice , which will be available this November. I hear it’s tailored specifically to your lifestyle. How so? What exactly does that mean?

Brandon Jennings: Well, I told them that I wanted a shoe that I could rock with jeans. I wanted something that could get it done on the court, but could still be worn out at the same time.

Kevin Burke: (interjects) Hold on. So, you told them that wearing them with jeans with them was important to you too?

Brandon Jennings: Yeah. For me to be able to rock it with jeans, I wanted it to be a mid to low. You were at the sneaker launch, so maybe you saw the ones I had on. I thought they looked good with jeans. They can have a casual look to it too, which I like about them.

Kevin Burke: So, are you excited for November when your shoe is finally available?

Brandon Jennings: Definitely, I’m excited. I mean, this is my first one so how could I not be excited for it?

Kevin Burke: Brandon, transitioning to the court now to your team, the Milwaukee Bucks. Last season, you guys were 46-36 which was a 12 game improvement from the year before. You guys were a 6 seed in the East where you lost to the Hawks in a very competitive 7-game series. How satisfied were you with the season you guys had last year?

Brandon Jennings: I’m very proud of the year we had last year. We were able to make the playoffs in my rookie season and give the Hawks a scare in seven games. It was a good series. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the services of Andrew Bogut in the playoffs, but other guys stepped up big time. John Salmons stepped up and did his thing as well as a bunch of other guys. That experience is going to give us nothing but momentum heading into next season. It should make us that much better when next season rolls around.

Kevin Burke: So if Bogut was healthy, do you think you guys would have gotten by the Hawks?

Brandon Jennings: Hands down. No question. We definitely would have gotten by the Hawks if we had Andrew.

Kevin Burke: Have you talked to Andrew recently? How’s his rehab going?

Brandon Jennings: Yeah, I talked to him a couple of times this summer. His rehab is going well. He was in high spirits. He got his cast off which is a good thing. We’re looking forward to having him healthy and back on the court next year.

Kevin Burke: How about you, personally? How do you feel about your rookie campaign? Just under 16 points and 6 assists a game, a spot on the All-Rookie 1^st team, a trip to the playoffs and a 55 point game. Were you happy with your performance?

Brandon Jennings: I feel like I had the best year of any Rookie last year, hands down. I realize that I didn’t win Rookie of the Year, but I still feel like I had the best year. I was the starting point guard for a team that made it to the playoffs and almost to the second round. I played in a lot of meaningful games that helped us reach the playoffs. I know an award like that is mainly centered around stats, but sometimes stats don’t always tell the full story, but I guess it’s tough to argue with 20, 5 and 5 (referring to Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans’ stats).

Kevin Burke: So, do you feel slighted in the Rookie of the Year voting?

Brandon Jennings: No, not really. I’m not going to say all that. But I feel very confident in the year I had.

Kevin Burke: Can you explain that 55 point game? I mean, you didn’t even score in the first quarter.

Brandon Jennings: Man, I don’t know what to say. Sometimes you just feel it. After the game I thought to myself, “wow, 55 with no points in the first quarter?” I guess you could say it was a good night.

Kevin Burke: Yeah, I would say so. Who was the toughest point guard to defend last year as a Rookie?

Brandon Jennings: Toughest point guard to defend? That’s a good question. Umm. I would say Deron Williams and Gilbert Arenas.

Kevin Burke: Why those two guys?

Brandon Jennings: With Deron, you can’t rip him. He’s always in the control with the basketball and he can score as well as pass. With Gilbert, you know Gilbert. When he gets going, you can’t touch him.

Kevin Burke: You’re the first basketball player to endorse Under Armour and you were also the first guy to go overseas to play ball rather than going to college. Now that you look back, any regrets?

Brandon Jennings: Absolutely not. No regrets. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Playing overseas gave me that opportunity to play with grown men right out of high school, which helped my game mature quickly. It was professional basketball so that kind of experience was very valuable right out of high school.

Kevin Burke: Alright, what can we expect from the Bucks next year? Like I said before, 46 wins last year. Do you think you guys will get to 50?

Brandon Jennings: Yeah, 50 wins sound good. Another trip to the playoffs. Get to the second round this time. Win the Central division. You know, everybody was down on us last year and no one expected us to be as good as we were. So were going to surprise even more people next year.

Kevin Burke: Ok, before I let you go, because I know you’ve got Jim Rome coming up shortly. I have to know. What inspires your various hairstyles?  I mean, first we saw the Gumby, then it was the purple Mohawk. What’s behind the different looks?

Brandon Jennings: Haha, just trying to be different, you know.  Just trying to start a trend. But I think next year, I’ll just keep one style for the whole year. I’m not sure which one yet though. If you look at my shoe, it kind of looks like a Gumby, so hey, you never know.

Kevin Burke: Alright, I’ll be looking to see which one you go with. Brandon, thanks for the time and best of luck with your sneaker and with the Bucks next year.

Brandon Jennings: Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.

If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes.

Chris Bosh Gets Engaged to Girlfriend

Miami Heat superstar Chris Bosh is set to marry girlfriend Adrienne Williams. The giant $100M NBA player proposed to petite Williams in Miami on Friday, after dating her for a year.

“Chris proposed to Adrienne outside their new home in Miami at sunset. They then went out and celebrated with friends at Liv Nightclub, where Adrienne was seen showing off a huge diamond ring. They are both really happy.”

Bosh’s rep Tammy Brook confirmed the engagement but declined to comment further. It’s been a great few months for Bosh, signing with the Heat alongside LeBron James and ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Read More via New York Post

Michael Jordan and Bobcats Donate $250K to Schools in Charlotte

“Michael Jordan and his Bobcats NBA team will donate $250,000 to middle-school athletics programs in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city.

The Charlotte Observer says the NBA hall-of-famer and North Carolina native will announce the gift Monday.

Jordan, who made a fortune playing in the NBA and marketing his image as one of the world’s best-known athletes, talked about being a contributor to the Charlotte community when he bought the Bobcats this spring.

Charlotte schools cut $1.25 million cut from athletics programs this year and school officials announced a plan to charge students $50 for middle-schoolers and $100 high-schoolers who play.”

via NBA.com

2010 Boost Mobile Elite 24 Weekend Recap

While most high school hoop fanatics can’t wait for the McDonalds All American Game each season to catch a glimpse of the college ranks incoming diaper dandies, Boost Mobile has succeeded in wetting the appetites of hoop fans by putting on the Boost Mobile Elite 24 Game for 5 years running. The event showcases not only the best HS seniors, but the top 24 players in the country, regardless of class, with this year’s event being held in Venice Beach, California.

First on deck was the Dunk Contest on Friday evening. Universally regarded as the high school ranks best dunker, Deuce Bello, hoped to show off his dunking prowess in the event against some stiff competition featuring the likes of Arizona commit Nick Johnson, local Cali product Amir Johnson(Findlay Prep), Stephen Maxwell(Taft HS), LeBryan Nash(Lincoln HS, #10 player in class), Skills Competition winner Bradley Beal(Chaminade College Prep), Norman Powell, Gabe York, and even Jahii Carson, the diminutive point guard headed to Arizona St, who drew instant comparisons to the NBA’s 3 Time Dunk Champion Nate Robinson.

In the early rounds, Nick Johnson seemingly payed homage to current TNT analyst and former NBA Dunk Contest regular Kenny “The Jet” Smith, by pulling off a sweet 180 dunk after bouncing the ball between his legs, then off the backboard, receiving a perfect score from the panel of celebrity judges that included the Raptors’ DeMar Derozan, Bucks’ Brandon Jennings, and Wizards’ John Wall.

After some impressive slams by Maxwell and Garrett, the event really took off thanks to Deuce Bello and and fellow Boost Mobile Game competitor and Kevin Durant clone, Quincy Miller’s collaboration in the 2nd round, which had everyone in attendance on their feet. Miller, being used as a prop came out to assist his HS teammate at Westchester Country Day by rocking shades, while the PA system blared Soulja Boy’s “Pretty Boy Swag.” With Bello racing towards the basket, a seated Miller fed him a perfect mid-air pass directly overhead, as Bello amazingly had enough hang-time to windmill the rock, in a dunk which proved to be the winning slam of the event.

You can check out a video of ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the Boost Mobile Dunk Contest here.

As for the actual game on Saturday, it featured an inordinate amount of dunks, virtually zero defense, a crowd silencing injury to the #2 rated Austin Rivers, and another impromptu Kentucky commitment by a top 20 player.  In a bit of a surprise, elite level PF prospect Kyle Wiltjers announced at halftime that he will play for the John Calipari led Wildcats following his senior season at Jesuit HS in Portland, Oregon.  To the surpeise of many, Wiltjer committed in spite of never making an official visit to Lexington.

As is not always the case in all star games, virtually every player on both rosters got equal time to shine as Myck Kabongo(committed to Texas) along with Wiltjers were named MVPs of the winning Raymond Lewis squad by tallying 13 points and 10 assists, and 20 points respectively. Kabongo is constantly drawing comparisons to Dwyane Wade for his amazing abilities as a point guard to get to the rack and to dish the rock with the best in the class, hence his #7 overall rating in the ’11 class. Wiltjers also has an amazing skill-set as a 6’10 PF, with some ball handling skills and an impressive jump-shot to boot.

On the Marques Johnson team, chosen MVP’s James McAdoo(UNC commit), nephew of former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo had 10 points and a game high 11 boards, while Boston Celtic head coach Doc Rivers’ son Austin, tallied 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, in a losing effort. Given the nickname “The Medic” by the voice of the Boost Mobile Game, the legendary Bobbito Garcia,since his dad was is still known as “Doc” and Austin put on a clinic, the younger Rivers brought the event to a thudding halt when he came down hard on his right wrist after a lay-up attempt just after halftime. But showing toughness, the smooth shooting rising senior returned to blow by defenders off the bounce with his healthy left hand to help share MVP honors with McAdoo.

Tons of celebrities and NBA players alike were in attendance like NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, NY playground legend Pee Wee Kirkland, former Celtic and Rucker Park legend Charlie Scott, as well as current NBA players Wall, DeRozan, Hassan Whiteside, Tyreke Evans, and Dorell Wright. Dunk Contest champ Deuce Bello also impressed in the game by showing an improved handle and shooting stroke(12 points and 4 rebounds) to go along with his insane dunking prowess. The most impressive throw-downs were pulled off by the aforementioned Jahari Carson(Arizona St), who bounced the ball to himself on the break before throwing down a thunderous 2 handed oop andof course Bello, who brought back memories of Dominique Wilkins with a dizzying windmill off of one dribble. Seemingly the only player focused on defense was Syracuse commit Rakeem Christmas, who finished with 4 blocks, including 3 in the first half.

One thing is for sure, that the college ranks will once again be flooded with talent for the ’11-’12 season. Let’s just hope for everyone else’s sake that John Calipari doesn’t grab any more top tier players off the board.  He already has 4 of the Top 20 in hand.

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

Patrick Ewing’s Son Signs With New York Knicks

“Patrick Ewing Jr. is back with the team where his father became famous.

The team says the former Georgetown star signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ewing was the 43rd pick of the 2008 draft by Sacramento, but wound up with the Knicks through a series of moves. He spent the 2008-09 season in the NBA Development League but missed all of last season because of injuries.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 4.8 points in four games for the Knicks’ summer league team. Ewing’s father played 15 seasons for the Knicks before finishing his career in Seattle and Orlando. The elder Ewing appeared in 11 All-Star Games with New York.”

via NBC New York

NBA Suspends Tyreke Evans and Brandon Rush

“Brandon Rush of the Indiana Pacers was suspended for five games by the NBA on Friday for violating the league’s drug agreement, while Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings and Kenny Hasbrouck of the Miami Heat drew suspensions for driving offenses.

Rush was suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. He started 64 games for the Pacers last season and averaged 9.4 points.

Pacers president Larry Bird said in a statement that the organization would support Rush.

“We have been made aware that Brandon Rush has been suspended for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy,” Bird said. “We will do what we can to provide Brandon help going forward.”

Evans, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, was suspended without pay for one game for pleading no contest to reckless driving in California. He averaged 20.1 points last season.

Hasbrouck, a former Siena guard, was suspended without pay for two games for pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated in New York.”

via ESPN

Jamal Crawford Wants Extension or Trade From Hawks

“Jamal Crawford has told the Hawks he wants to be traded before the 2010-11 season if the team doesn’t offer a contract extension to his liking, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Crawford, whose current contract expires after the season, asked the Hawks for an extension last month but has yet to receive an answer from the team. If Atlanta balks at offering Crawford what he considers an extension reflecting his market value then he would rather play elsewhere for the final season of his contract, according to the person familiar with the circumstances.

The person did not want to be identified because neither Crawford nor the Hawks have commented on his desire for an extension. Hawks GM Rick Sund, who is on vacation, declined comment tonight through a team spokesman.”

Via AJC.com

Ricky Rubio Might Come To NBA After New Collective Bargaining Agreement

The first question people in the United States ask about Ricky Rubio these days is simple: “When is he coming to Minnesota?” The answer is complicated.

Rubio, who was drafted fifth over all by the Timberwolves in 2009, is set to play his second season with F.C. Barcelona, one of the strongest clubs in Europe.

“He has a buyout at the end of next season, and that will be a more appropriate time to talk to him more specifically about that,” Minnesota General Manager David Kahn said. “All in due time. He’s 19.”

Rubio’s buyout is considerably lower than the figure of more than $4 million set by his former team, Joventut. That is important because N.B.A. teams are allowed to pay only $500,000 of a player’s buyout.

But the prospect of an N.B.A. lockout, which some have forecast as a strong possibility for 2011, could interfere. Why would Rubio leave when he can make a hefty salary in Europe?

In the N.B.A. in 2011, he would earn about $2 million, his slotted salary for his draft spot. If Rubio waited until 2012 or was forced to wait because of a lockout, he could earn considerably more.

For three years after a player is drafted, he is essentially locked into a salary slot. It is one reason many European players wait a few years before coming to the United States. That situation could change with a new collective bargaining agreement.

Via NY Times

Introducing 11 Year Old Hoops Phenom Damon Harge [Video]

Damon Harge just began the 6th grade at Modesto Christian and as you are about to see he has some pretty amazing skills for a kid his age. Hell for any age really. He Got Game.

This past summer after a dominant performance at the Adidas Phenom Camp (including a camp record-setting 50-point game), Damon came away as the #1 ranked 6th grader in the nation… Take a look at the workout this KID is doing already…insane handles..

MJ’s Son Marcus Jordan Rapping [Video]

Being the son of the greatest basketball player of all-time can’t be an easy task. Especially in today’s age of the internet, viral news, viral videos, and paparazzi.

But then there is uStream…the self-paparazzi?

Michael Jordan’s son Marcus likes to uStream some raps after finishing his final exams at the University of Central Florida apparently. Video is from last fall but still entertaining:

[h/t to You Been Blinded for the Video]

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