The Basketball Revolutionary (Brandon Jennings)

This Years NBA draft will be filled with alot of familiar college faces, guys you feel shouldve stayed one more year, international players of who you cant even pronounce there names and one name many people may have forgot about....Brandon Jennings.

for those of you who don't know him, Brandon Jennings is a basketball player from Compton, California who decided to take a different route to the NBA. If Jennings is selected in this years NBA DRAFT he will he the first American born player to play for a European team rather than play for a college team since the NBA's age restriction was implemented.


Under an NBA draft rule put in place Three years ago, Jennings has to be out of high school at least one calendar year and be 19 years old before being eligible for the NBA draft.

It's a bad rule one that favors the big business of the NBA by creating more bankable college stars, and one that favors the big business of college basketball, which gets a quick loan of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and other fancy talents.

The players, even the misguided ones, should have the right to try to make the NBA directly out of high school.


So Brandon reached out out Sonny Vacarro a Hoops Guru is against the NBA and NCAA making up rules to benifit themseves and not the players. Vaccaro is probably best known for his tenure with Nike and signing Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal. Vaccaro left Nike for Adidas then Reebok.

He also known as the founder the prestigious ABCD All America Camp, an elite showcase of high school basketball standouts, which ran from 1984 to 2007. It featured future stars Kobe Bryant, Sebastian Telfair, Tracy Mcgrady, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.

Vaccaro co founded the first national high school All-Star game, The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. The game endured for 43 years and its alumni includes such greats as Calvin Murphy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber, Alonzo Mourning, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Patrick Ewing, Rasheed Wallace and Stephon Marbury.

Vacarro believes the NBA and NCAA need to be put in line and shown that you can't stand in front of a kids dream. So Brandon and Sonny are both on a crusade to make there point proven. Vacarro is also looking to take his case against the NBA and NCAA before congress.


The whole idea of kids like Brandon being forced to go to college when they are ready to make millions of dollars, that's just terrible!" said Vaccaro

Many people have there own opinion about what Brandon is doing, some believe this is good and some believe he will fail. Either way his decision will be the first.


“To me, this is the best path to get ready for the NBA,” one Western Conference general manager said. “But the thing is: You better be a mentally tough kid to pull this off. This isn’t going to be college, where they’re going to hold your hand and never make you figure out anything for yourself.”



Brandon Jennings was rated last year the #1 point guard in the country coming out of high school last year and decided that he wanted to break new ground by going to play a season in Europe instead of going to college.

Jennings, who originally signed with the University of Arizona but didn't received the standardized test score necessary to play, decided to use the right to use his basketball talent to pursue a living.

Honestly Who can blame him for not wanting to be a pawn in the NBA and NCAA's hypocritical age-limit system, which takes advantage of kids and punishes them when they look to do what's best for themselves and there families.


Brandon had his choice of colleges, but he never really had a choice. Despite being talented enough to make money playing this game right now, a kid in his situation has to "choose" to play at least one season for free before he can get paid to play in the world’s top league. This was a risk when he took the flight over the atlantic but again, it was a legitimate choice to make a living, which some might even call a "right".


This is the best thing that ever happened to him. As money goes, the NBA Developmental League can’t come close. As coaching and competition go, the Euro League is mostly superior. There are no NCAA limits on practice time. There are no AAU bag men pretending to be assistant coaches. Jennings will get coached and get benched and get the best-paying professional apprenticeship in history.


So Brandon Decided to take his game overseas. Brandon plays for Lottomatica Virtus Roma, is a prominent Italian League professional basketball club. The club was founded in the year 1960.

Lottomatica Virtus roma have Well-known players that have played with the club and have included: George Gervin, Michael Cooper, Anthony Parker, Dino Radja, Brian Shaw, Rick Mahorn, Danny Ferry, Gregor Fučka, and the legendary Dejan Bodiroga, who became the team's GM after his retirement from playing.

Dejan Bodiroga one of the greatest modern-era players never to appear in the NBA -- runs Roma is a pretty interesting note. Bodiroga had ample opportunities to cross over the Atlantic (Geoff Petrie drafted his rights for the Kings in 1995), but preferred stardom in Europe over the tougher competition of the NBA.

So the team is known for having NBA players and play on the Higest European levle in Italy, so on July 16, 2008, Jenings signed with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian Legague.

The contract he signed with Roma was for $1.65 million net pay guaranteed and after earning the contract with Lotomatica, has buy-out options as early as this summer.

The Jennings family (mother and brother) will be along for the ride, with the club landing B.J.'s 13-year-old brother a spot on a Roman junior team. Under Armour also gave Jennings a $2 million contract to showcase their products in the Euroleague.

Not bad for a kid straight out of high school? 3.65 million for a season. Although Brandon has been financially successfull he has had some ups and down throughout this season.

In the team's first 25 games of the Italian Lega A 2008-09 season, Jennings is averaging 5.8 points and 2.3 assists per game in 18.1 minutes per game. In 16 Euroleague games, Jennings averaged 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.6 minutes per game. He shot 38.7 percent from the field and 26.8% from 3point range.

Most NBA teams that are picking in The NBA Draft lottery are teams who are building for the future or are basically looking for players with potential. Brandon has alot of upside and seems to be something special.

One scout analyzation on Brandon was:

Strengths: Tremendous lefty point guard with a scary package of speed, athleticism, point guard skills and tenacity … A natural. Really understands how to play the point guard position, the type who can penetrate at will and create offense for everyone … Exceptional vision and passing ability … Makes everyone around him better

His speed pushing the ball up the floor is at an elite level … Very feisty, a fighter, won't back down to anyone … Has a great toughness and competitiveness about him … A spectacular leaper, who regularly converts backdoor alley oops Shows a solid outside and mid range jump shot … Creates very well off the dribble and gets to the rim well due to his explosive first step.

Weaknesses: Desperately needs to add muscle mass to his body … Right now his body is about 20-25 pounds too light … He can be pushed around by bigger and stronger guards, and is less effective at penetrating because he can't absorb contact … He may struggle to put much strength and weight on, as he appears to have a naturally skinny body … Can improve upon his offensive game. His jump shot and decision making are good but he'll need to develop those skills further Inexperience.

As of today and judging by 3 mock drafts (NBADraft.net, Draftexpress.com , ESPN.com) Brandon is expected to go 6 or 7 in this years NBA Draft. Most scouts believe he will be the second Point Guard to be selected, Ricky Rubio another international Point Guard will be the first.

Sonny Vacaro, who was behind Jennings move overseas has heard from 12 other elite basketball players and their families with interested in possibly making similar moves.




Many younger players will be watching him to see how he fares. If his decision works out, there may be other players who follow his path. This is unmistakably a groundbreaking decision Jennings advisor and former shoe company executive Sonny Vaccaro says. One that could have significant consequences for amateur and professional basketball in the United States.

One inparticular is Jeremy Tyler, Tyler is an agile 6-11, 260-pound San Diego native, the nation’s top player in the junior class who already committed to the University of Louisville. He’s as close to a can’t-miss NBA prospect as there is; a tantalizing mix of size, speed and smarts. Scouts project him to be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, when he’s eligible under the NBA’s age requirements.


“It may not be the best way to get to the NBA, but it’s the best way to get ready for the NBA,” Jeremy Tyler told Yahoo Sports this week. His decision was first reported by the New York Times this week.

Over the next couple of weeks the Tyler's said they will hire a financial planner and professional sports agent and pursue early feelers from professional teams in Spain, Italy and Israel. Jeremy Tyler is likely to receive a contract worth at least a few hundred thousand dollars a year and could sign endorsement contracts worth at least that.

Tyler's Dad James, who owns his own home improvement company and is about to open a family restaurant decided it made sense to make the jump now, and went looking for a solid plan for his son. They called retired sneaker executive and hoops deal maker Sonny Vaccaro and plotted a course for Europe.

Tyler will play against the grown men who can challenge a player of his size and potential. Away from the court he’ll be home-schooled, earn a GED and return in two seasons when he’s eligible for the 2011 draft


Brandon's Projection has alot of high school players reevaluating there future but all will wait to see where he is drafted this June.


To Brandon the dream comes true in less than 2 months. He says hes been waiting his whole life for this and so are we.

Will Brandon become the High School Basketball Jackie Robinson or just another player who the NBA proves there system works.

Either way this Crusade is starting to heat up and more people are starting to become convinced this works. If Brandon has success this June, The "Basketball Revolution" has begun, and many seekers for NBA stardom straight out of high school will soon follow.

2009 Playoffs Are Here

The 2009 NBA Playoffs are under way and it seems to be going well as expected.

Both of the top seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference (Lakers and Cleveland) are looking to dominate in their respective conferences and hopefully they will meet in June for the NBA Finals.

Lebron is Lebron and Kobe is being passive until the fourth quarter but their both in the drivers seat cruising through games 1 and 2.

Don't have much to say on both of them besides....THEY'RE BOTH FUCKING GREAT.....PERIOD!!!


Detroit and Utah both seem like they don't even believe they can even be on the same floor with Cleveland and L.A., and with such high level both teams are playing at, the league should consider a first round bye.

The 2008 world champions Boston Celtics are banged up but for the most part and they are playing like one of Kanye Wests latest songs "Heartless". They're playing soft and with no heart like they weren't the champions last season. We know that KG's gone and so is Powe but Ray and Pierce need to get it together and fast.

At the rate their playing right now Doc Rivers will be next to have a heart attack.

It's starting to appear as if KG is the Heart and Soul of the team, if they cannot show up at the United Center in Chicago for games 3 and 4 Paul Pierce and the Celtics will be going on an early vacation.


Chicago is young and talented so we can't take anything from them but Boston should be dominating this series!!!

The Bulls have shown that they are the dominate ones because they have own the boards and have been the better defensive team. Their veteran leadership in Salmons, Gordon, Miller and Tim Thomas makes them very interesting. Therefore I'm picking Chicago to upset Boston and win the series.

The Atlanta Hawks look impressive and very athletic, they seem like last years battle with Boston makes them the most dangerous team in the East.

D-wade's stellar performances in the regular season were great but the way it looks Miami is just too young and inexperienced to play well in the playoffs.

Chauncy's Nuggets Look good and seem like Carmello maybe getting out the first round finally. Now it is still early to tell, CP3 isnt going to give up easily especially with a coach who's been to the finals twice this decade and a two time world champion Small forward James Posey so that's series maybe the one to watch in the west.


Stan Van Gundy and his Orlando Magic are starting to look exactly how Shaq said they would. The Big Diesel says their coach is Panic Central in the playoffs and that's what they looked like in game one versus Philly. The 76ers showed they've go some fight and a ton of talented young players to go with some battle tested vets so don't be surprise just how far the 76ers push the Orlando Panics!!!

The Spurs look like they wanted it more in the 2nd game of who is the better Texas team. Tony Parker played well and looked like he was playing game 7 versus New Orleans all over again. It will be exciting to see just how much and how well Dallas plays when they go home, they played great in San Antonio but Dallas has been up and down all year so we shall see.

Portland may have gained the Momentum with winning a close one versus Houston and holding back Yao Ming, who only scored 11 points. Mt Mutombo is going for the season and this maybe the end of his career which makes the Rockets very small off the bench. Portland's mixture of big men: Oden, Przybilla, and Aldridge gives Portland the edge going into game 3 and 4.


That's it for now on the first 4 days of the playoffs. Check back soon you know I talk some more!!!

Nova's Defense sends Duke home for fifth straight season

Duke players sit in the locker room after losing to Villanova 77-54 in men's NCAA college basketball tournament

Tonight The third-seeded Villanova Wildcats beat Duke for the first time in more than 50 years. to win 77-54 and advance to the East regional final. It was Villanova's 14Th NCAA victory over a higher-seeded team -- the most in tournament history.

Villanova (29-7) will now play Big East rival and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh (31-4) on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.

The wildcats are 14-12 as a lower seed since 1979, including their 1985 run to the national championship as a No. 8 seed -- the lowest ever to win it all. This Saturdays match up between Pitt and Nova should be a great one.

Tonight's game showed Nova's ability to spread the floor and make plays. There Ability to create shots for each other and defend was the difference maker in tonight's game. As i watched tonight's game i knew that for Villanova to be successfull they had to control the tempo and play solid defense.

It wasn't the offense that made the difference against Duke, it was Nova's defense. So Villanova a team who is known for offense and scoring points in bunches tonight will be known as the team who played solid defense.

Duke never really showed tonight that they were in a solid rhythm.Villanova's 3 quarter press defense took a nice bit of time of the clock every time Nova scored a basket. Duke's big three (Henderson, Scheyer, Singler) shot horrible from the field tonight shooting a combined total of 9-45 from the field. "We were never in a flow," said guard Kyle Singler, who led Duke with 15 points. "From the start, it was a snowball effect. When something got bad, it just got worse."

We have to give credit to the Villanova's defense but we also have to put blame on the big 3s supporting cast. The Duke Bench gets respect and love from us when the team is winning but no one never puts the blame when they lose. So I will be the first. The bench was missing tonight and didn't help Duke stay in this game even with its best 3 players struggling.

We just didn't hit, didn't hit," Scheyer said. "We were getting the shots we wanted. We just weren't hitting. Obviously, we thought we played terrible in the first half and we were only down 3 points, and we were encouraged by that."

Nova played solid man to man defense and provided full court pressure after every made basket in the second half to wear the Blue devils down. In the second half Nova went on a 13-1 run that blew the game open.

Coach Ks teams lack of dept finally caught up to them tonight. Duke's bench did not show up tonight and for a team to win a national championship a bench is needed. If you look at the Previous national champions (Uconn, Florida , Kansas and UNC). They have all had deep benches and used there bench as a weapon in this tournament.

The Big 3 of Duke are great players but didn't get much help tonight. Nova's big 3 (Reynolds , Cunningham and Redding) all played Decent tonight and had there share of a bad shooting as well but did get help from there bench. Besides the big 3 Nova did have 3 other players with 7 or more points to help with the scoring load.

This is most definitely a disappointing night for Duke. a team who could have easily slid right into the Elite Eight and possibly the Final Four, Nova just had the better night. Defense and controlling the tempo are the keys to winning in this tournament and Nova did them both well.

An The 2009 NBA MVP IS......................

The 2008-2009 NBA season have only two legitimate MVP candidates, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. This season both players have been playing at the highest level of their careers and not many other players in the league have meant more to their teams’ success this season than these two players.

After watching the 2008 Summer Olympics, I sat wondering what this season’s MVP race would look like then I anticipated that Lebron, Kobe, and Dwayne Wade among others candidate would be the top contenders.

I honestly felt after Mr. Wade's Olympic performance that his team would get back in the playoff fold this season. His scoring and statistical accomplishments didn't surprise me at all. He has played well all year and his team will make the playoffs, therefore I just can’t say he will win MVP this season.

Lebron and Kobe have gone back and forth this season with great games, win streaks, and major accomplishments, however only one can win this year’s MVP trophy.



My top pick is Kobe Bryant and there will be many who will disagree but the truth is right in front of our faces. Back in March, Kobe Bryant was averaging 27.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game with a current team record of 55-14. In comparison, Lebron James was averaging 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assist per game with a team record of 57-13. It’s a very close debate as to who should be the MVP this season. After weighing out team records and statistics, I will clearly illustrate my point of why Kobe deserves to be this season's MVP. The overall stats are almost identical as well as their teams records, but here's what separates the two candidates and what draws me to my vote. In head to head games played this season Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers won BOTH meetings.

At that time, no other NBA team had beaten the Cavaliers twice this season. In the LA Lakers first win against the Cleveland Cavaliers they won by a total of 17 points. In this game, Lebron scored 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Kobe, on the other hand, had 20 points, 6 rebounds and a season high 12 assists. In the second match up this season, the Lakers once again beat the Cavs not only did they give them their second lost to a single team in this season; they also snapped a 23 game home win streak. During this game, Kobe Bryant out played Lebron James again with flu like symptoms. Even with flu like symptoms Kobe beats Lebron once more and in his own building by 10 points, giving them one of their losses this season at home. SOME SAY IT IS PURE LUCK, SOME SAY IT JUST KOBE'S WILL TO BE THE BEST AND WIN.

The Boston Celtics are last years NBA World Champions, as well as both teams success measuring sticks. At this present time, both Kobe and Lebron have played the Celtics twice and both teams have different records against them. Lebron’s team was 1-1 against them, where as Kobe’s team stands 2-0 against the world champs. Lebron has beaten the Celtics in Cleveland and loss to them in Boston. In their last meeting, when Lebron played in Boston, their best player Kevin Garnett was out due to an injury giving Cleveland an advantage, however they still lost. On Christmas Day, the Lakers beat the Celtics at the Staples Center snapping a 19 game winning streak. Later on in the season, the Lakers traveled to Boston for their second meeting and once again snapped a 12 game winning streak in which ALL Celtic stars played in both games. SOME SAY IT PURE LUCK, SOME SAY IT JUST KOBE'S WILL TO BE THE BEST AND WIN.

Lebron averages 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5.3 assist versus the Celtics compared to Kobe's 26.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Again you can argue the stats are too close to give to one person so we have to go to the facts:
1. Kobe snaps both Celtics 19 and 12 game winning streaks.
2. Kobe snaps Cavaliers 23 game home winning streak.
3. Kobe wins in Boston, which Lebron has yet to do this season.
4. Kobe wins in Boston without starter Andrew Bynum.
5. Kobe out plays his opponents when it matters most (Lebron, Pierce, Allen, Garnett.)
6. Kobe Bryant has led his team to wins over the Celtics and Cavs twice this season and gaining home-court advantage in the playoffs.

These are just some scenarios to be used if there is a tie in their records.

Why is Kobe the MVP again? Here's why because he's been a MVP in the most important games of the season. Kobe Bryant is never out of the killer instincts while Lebron’s instinct is a light switch. To take it up a notch Kobe even takes all star games seriously. He came out at All-Star weekend playing as if the LA Lakers were playing the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Kobe Bryant was MVP of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game scoring 27 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 4 rebounds. To further prove my point Kobe Bryant has been the MVP of the All-Star games 2 out of the last 3 years. Last year, he sat out because of an injury, which leaves us pondering that if he had played he just might have been MVP of that game and the West may have pulled out the victory.

Ira Newbell, who played with both Lebron and Kobe, was asked who is better and this is his response: “You know what, Kobe’s better and if you ask Lebron, he’ll tell you Kobe’s better.” Newbell also stated Bryant’s “tenacity for the game” and his defense is one of superior areas when compared to James. Here's another fact Lebron James has led his team to 57 wins and 13 losses, 34 of those wins come in the sub par East along with 9 losses. His record versus teams in the West is pretty strong with 23 wins and 4 losses with 2 of those losses coming from the hands of Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers.

When you look at the standings in the Eastern Conference, only 2 other teams besides the Cavs have a record over .600. Kobe, on the other hand, plays in a rugged Western Conference and holds a 9 game lead to have them in first place over the Houston Rockets. In the West all 8 teams fighting for a playoff spot have a winning percentage over .600. Kobe's Lakers have a 55-14 record where they won 18 games and lost 7 to the Eastern Conference, they also own a record best 37-7 versus the teams in the Western Conference. Kobe's record overall is better against more respectable teams in Western Conference and proves that if the LA Lakers were to play in the East that they may have only lost 5 or 6 games all year. The Dallas Mavericks are the 8 seed right now in the West and have a better record than the 8 seeded Chicago Bulls by almost 10 games. If the Mavericks played in the east they would be the 4th seed in the East as where the Chicago Bulls wouldn't even make the playoffs!!! Clearly there is a huge disparity in the conference and is another reason why Kobe gets the vote for MVP.

Yes we can’t fault Lebron for playing in a Sub-par East but we have to consider the wins. What I'm simply saying is that the conference disparity is going to have to be the deciding factor in who gets the MVP. This means comparing Kobe's 55 wins to Lebron's 57 is not right nor is it fair. If the Lakers had to play Chicago, Philly, New York, Washington and a struggling Detroit 4 times a year they'd certainly have significantly more than 55 wins so far this season. With that being said if the Cavaliers played the Lakers, Spurs, Utah, Dallas and New Orleans 4 times a year instead of twice, that would probably have them somewhere in the middle of the conference and not at the top of the Conference at 57 wins! One thing is evident, they have both given us another regular season MVP race to remember but in the end we have to weigh out all aspects and reasons to come to one conclusion and that's who should really get this trophy. Kobe Bryant may have arguably been the MVP the last 4 years but that's another debate. What the world needs to see is that Kobe is putting up comparable numbers to LeBron James while leading his team to the best record in the league, in a tougher conference while playing better in the most important games of the season. To me, that means the reigning MVP deserves to repeat.

Arizona is Still Dancin but they're no Cinderella.

When you hear about upsets and Cinderella stories you think of schools like George Mason, Davidson and Valparaiso . This years NCAA Men's Tournament is not that kind of Tournament.

The Sweet 16 consists of four No. 1 seeds, four No. 2 seeds, four No. 3 seeds, two No. 4 seeds, one No. 5 seed and lowest-seeded team remaining is from a university that has made 25 consecutive NCAA tournaments.

Arizona who finished the season with the 62nd best RPI rating and 19-13 record, plays in the PAC-10 Conference that was Ranked 5Th in the country in the RPI rating poll.

The Arizona wildcats haven't really shocked anyone this NCAA Tournament and were picked by most people to win in the first two rounds. They beat Utah by 13 points as a underdog only because of seeding and then defeated Cleveland State in a 71-57 warm up for the real games ahead of them in the Sweet 16.

Arizona did exactly what we expected them to do and what we knew they were capable of doing despite losing 5 of there last 6 games.

So the question is .......Why are we calling them a Cinderella team?

Yes they came into this Tournament as a 12Th seed, Yes they lost 5 of there last 6 games,Yes only because of seeding do they stand among 15 other seeds whom are seeded higher than them.

Those stats are all true, but the fact still remains a team with 25 straight NCAA Tournament Appearances. In the last 8 years the Wildcats have been to 1 Championship game, 2 Elite Eights, 1 Sweet sixteen and been eliminated in the first or second round twice.

How can they be called a Cinderella team?

The true definition in in sports about teams that obtain the Cinderella title is : That a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a Tournament than expected. One that unexpectedly achieves recognition or success after a period of obscurity and neglect.

When did we ever Scrutinize the Arizona Wildcats? We always knew they had talent, they were good, and could get this far in the tournament IF they played the way there playing now.

With players such as Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill and Nic Wise who could we label them a Cinderella team. all 3 players have been scouted heavily by NBA General Mangers and Scouts for this years Draft. Most Cinderella teams don't have one of these guys but only a mid-level player and great system.

Cinderella teams don't have a player who's averaging 18 points and almost 10 rebounds a game like Jordan Hill who many believe will be the 3rd pick in this years draft or Chase Budinger who could have possibly been a late lottery pick in last years draft. Lastly Nic Wise, who has played his best ball of the season these past 2 games scoring a combined 50 points in the first two rounds.

All this talent makes it tough to call Arizona a Cinderella team or a team we need to Glorify with all the articles and media attention. Lets give some media attention to the Davids out there who found ways to win versus the Goliaths in the world because they made the best of their invitations... So thanks for the memorable games Siena, Clevland state and Western Kentucky.

No disrespect to Maryland, Michigan and Wisconsin for your contributions to this years NCAA Tournament but we expected you to take part in the memories despite seeding, hence that's why we can't give Arizona the "Cinderella" tag.


If the Wildcats defeat the No. 1 overall seeded Louisville Cardinals in Friday's Sweet 16 Game, then just maybe we can give them a little credit and a respect because we don't have them accomplishing that win but Until then, Arizona is good team with a bad seed But Most Definitely not a Cinderella story.