Barcelona, Spain Trip & Euro League Game
Hey wasup everybody - We just got back from Barcelona, Spain, where we had a huge Euro League game. It was a great trip overall. The food and city are amazing. We got to Spain around 7pm Wed night. As soon as we checked into the hotel we had a team meeting and team dinner. I then bounced to do a few media requests with Ricky Rubio. I was able to spend a few hours with Ricky, he was really cool, he speaks English very well. Just like me he has a ton of energy and loves playing the game of basketball. He showed up to the media blitz with his Mom and Dad, he has really nice parents. We talked for a few minutes. It was funny because I was signing my Jersey for someone and Ricky says to me “You are left handed”. It was funny because he was already sizing me up for the game. What I noticed is that Ricky also writes with his left hand but plays the game right handed, he must have a pretty good left? All and all I was really happy to meet Ricky and look forward to being his friend for many years to come.
Now to what everyone wants to hear about, the game and the matchup with Ricky. Unfortunately Ricky only played about 8mins cause he’s still kind of hurt from a wrist injury he suffered in the Gold Medal game vs. Team USA, but in just 8mins he showed me a lot. I have a ton of respect for the dude. He’s real mature out there on the court, he has a great feel for the game. He passes the ball like crazy, reminds me of Steve Nash a little bit. Put it like this if he were in the class of 09 in high school basketball he would be the #1 player hands down. No question about it. I can only hope that when Ricky and I one day get to the NBA we can be like Chris Paul and Deron Williams, as our careers take off together like CP3 & D Will’s did. Despite what the critics say that he can’t shoot Ricky is going to be going a Great NBA player someday…he brings a complete game to the table.
Other than that I felt like I played pretty good. It was my first time really getting a chance to play extended minutes in crunch time for like 2 months. I could tell my legs and wind were not used to the minutes, the game was being played at a fast pace because all Ricky’s team does is full-court press the entire game. One more thing the Arena that we played at was Ice Cold, felt like we were playing in a hockey rink. This is the same arena that the 1992 Dream Team played in so that was a great experience as well. I also need to get more comfortable on the floor; with more minutes the feel will come back soon. I feel like I’m getting my swagger back a little. There were about 30 NBA Scouts in the stands which was crazy. I’m really interested in knowing what are some of things I need to work on. I already know that I am focusing on my off the ball defense, fighting through screens and getting myself in better help position.
If you want to read more about the game check out the article that Lang Whitaker (SLAM Magazine) who was at the game last night wrote for slamonline.com.
http://slamonline.com/online/columnists/the-links/2008/12/links-jennings-vs-rubio-round-one/
Also, usatoday.com covered the game. I guess they had people there also?
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2008-12-11-jennings-rubio_N.htm
Until next time.
Your Boy,
B Jennings
Jennings Defending Rubio
Great recap, sounds like it was quite the intense game. I’m sure you’ll continue to do well over there. Nice to hear you and Ricky hit it off nicely. I’m sure he’d have a lot of great things to say about you too. God bless and Merry Christmas.
wow those people from slam mag can give u a good overview on games good game tho matching up with ricky rubios team…… and its cool that u can wear underarmour pants wen ur playing/,,,,,, but yea good game matching up against them and i wud like to see a video of that 360 layup pass that u did during that game,,,,,,, but yea good job man best of luck man…… biggest fan khalid salim ~1~
Hi, you probably know this site
http://www.draftexpress.com/
and this is about you Brandon: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Brandon-Jennings-1114/
Ricky Rubio had a injury, and He play a few minutes in his last game in the spanish league, he need more games until he become to be like the last season and the olimpic games with Spain. I guess you will need time for the addapt to Rome and your new team.
Well Rome is a great city. You are a great player, but you can do better, you have hard work if you want to be the best point guard. I advice to study because the life in the sport is short . Good luck in Rome
Brandon,
I saw your game vs. Rubio. Very impressive. You seemed to take your intensity up a notch when he got in the game. I liked that you stayed focus and played smart. When you left the game your team got down by like 17. As soon as you came back in, they made a comeback. Good stuff.
You look bigger!! I see you listened and hit the weights!! Good stuff. Hopefully you’re gonna start getting consistent minutes and show the world what you can do. You played a real smart game. Gotta give Rubio his props. He’s a very good defender. He doesn’t have your natural talent, but he’s really crafty how he uses his body on D.
See if you can watch some tapes on him, and steal a few tricks. With your passing, speed, athleticism, and shot, plus some defensive tricks you’ll be unstoppable. Keep getting stronger and work on the midrange shot, and you’re gonna be realy good!!
those UA kicks are poppin’ son! great game btw, all the bloggers and critics were thoroughly impressed. Stay Safe and Stay Focused!
Good luck in the Euroleague. Don’t get complacent and keep working hard; you’ll be a star before you know it.
Brandon,
How you doin? Hopefully everything is good. I’ve followed you and others since you were in 7th grade.
My son played in Nationals in Memphis when he was nine years old. That’s where I saw you and other players put your work in. At that Nationals the two point gaurds to me that stood out were you and Corey Lucious (Michigan State). At this point youv’e seemed to grow more as a player out of the two. I know things can be rough but as I read some of your blog. This experience is only going to prepare you for you future as pro ball player in the states (NBA). Sometimes we have to deal with things that don’t feel good. But will benefit us greatly. I coach youth ball here in Minnesota and so many of our players are improperly prepared or programmed (taught). Here you were looked to score and run the team. It sounds like there you have a new responsibility and that’s to run the team and make others around you better. Forfieting your scoring which is down. When I look at stats I don’t look at the points scored to determine if a player had a good or bad game.
Especially if your’e a point, because if you had 8 pts, 13 ast, 4 stls and 7 rebounds you had a great game. people get it twisted because all the emphasis is always put on how many points were dropped to determine if you had a good game or not. My son has the potential to be a great ball player here in Minnesota. He transferred into the top basketball program in Mn (Hopkins High). He’s 14 years old, 6′0 , 9th grade and plays point gaurd. His transition wasn’t easy because he grew up in the inner city were playing basketball his main responsibility was to score. I’ve coached him since he was 4 years old. He played high school ball last year as a 13 year old 8th grader. Starting on the freshman squad (17ppg) and playing some JV (8ppg). His transfer wasn’t easy.
The transition was difficult because Hopkin basketball is more focused on dicipline and structure. With defense being the main focus and being tight on the floor. He can score with the best but he’s learning a whole different part of the game to better prepare him for his future. He wanted out (even I wanted out), but running wasn’t an option. So he stuck it out. Trusted my advice that he stay put. He had a great season and now the coaches are looking at him to be a varsity starter next season. Hopkins currently has five division 1 players in thier starting lineup (4 signed (Minnesota, Santa Clara, Arizona State and Notre Dame). Not one player is in the top 20 scorers in the state. All could easily be in the top 5 but the team basketball is what’s going to take them further in the game.
The point I’m trying to make is that sometimes change is good for us there’s great payoff with great sacrifice.
I tell my son if you want points work your but off on D. Learn other parts of the game. Basketball’s more thsn just scoring.
We had a cousin who palyed here in high school, signed with Northern Ill. and transfered to Makato State U where he was an All-American. He had NBA workouts and the Indiana Pacers said they were going to take him with thier second round pick (which they didn’t). He ended up playing with the Minnesota Tiberwolves summer league team and that’s about how far his NBA dream went. In talking with Kevin McKale, and Coach Dewayne Casey they said we know he can score in the league but his defensive commitment was suspect. That was his downfall. 6′6′ shooting gaurd without the will to push himself over the edge to opportunity (that close).
If you read this (thanks). Watch out for too much advice and info because all is not good an everyones motives aren’t cool. Keep workin’ and I hpoe to see you high in the NBA draft this June.
Peace and God Bless U and your Family,
Coach Will Marshall
Mnyouthdevelopment@yahoo.com
P.S.: There was a player on your 7th grade team that I thought was good and I just knew he was going to play big time ball somewhere. He reminded me of Glen Rice back then. Funny thing. I was watchin’ a college basketball game on tv a couple of months ago. There was this player that looked familiar. Just like the 7th grader in Memphis. Same hair cut, same physique and same number. I was like that’s that dude that played with Branon Jennings. I went online and it was confirmed. He was out of California now a freshman at the University of Indiana. Malik Story.
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