February 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings is starting to think about his future and whether it will include the Milwaukee Bucks. It's not a decision the Bucks point guard has to make right now in just his third season in the National Basketball Association. But he will have an opportunity to sign a long-term extension with the Bucks this summer. If he doesn't, it could create speculation about where he ultimately wants to go and if the Bucks should trade him. Fresh off an all-star snub Thursday, Jennings said he would have "a major chip" on his shoulder the rest of the lockout-shortened season as he tries to carry the Bucks into the playoffs. The 22-year-old knows if he can lead the Bucks to the postseason for the"
February 10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings was not chosen as one of the all-star reserves by Eastern Conference coaches. The coaches' picks were announced in a TNT telecast Thursday night before the game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Jennings had put himself in the running with some striking performances, including his 31-point, eight-assist, four-steal effort against Miami on Feb. 1. But the conference coaches selected Atlanta Hawks veteran Joe Johnson and New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams as reserves. Also chosen for the East squad were Miami forward Chris Bosh, Boston forward Paul Pierce, Chicago forward Luol Deng, Indiana center Roy Hibbert and"
February 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Gaining membership in the National Basketball Association's all-star club is a difficult task. So Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings is preparing for both outcomes when the all-star reserves are named Thursday night in a TNT telecast. The 22-year-old Jennings has turned more than a few heads with his play in the lockout-shortened season. But if he is not one of the seven players named by Eastern Conference coaches, he will keep working. If he is named, Jennings already knows what his reaction will be. "I would think I would have tears of joy if I did make it," Jennings said. "I can just remember me playing as a kid in Europe that everybody doubted and said I would never make it. "And"
February 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
LeBron James delivered a body blow as the Miami Heat came out punching against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center. But by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it was the Heat flat on the canvas and the Bucks recording a powerful knockout punch. Point guard Brandon Jennings dropped in 7 three-pointers and finished with 31 points as the Bucks rallied for a 105-97 victory, halting Miami's five-game winning streak and beating the Heat for the second time in 11 days. Milwaukee (10-11) was powerless to stop James as he scored 24 points in the first quarter, but Luc Richard Mbah a Moute helped slow the Heat star down in the final quarter, even though James finished"
December 17
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
It's an enticing matchup two years in the making. When Ricky Rubio was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 draft and Brandon Jennings went 10th to the Milwaukee Bucks, basketball fans were eager to see the young point guards face off. But Rubio decided to stay in Spain and play two seasons with Regal FC Barcelona while Jennings became an instant starter with the Bucks. The young Buck helped his team reach the playoffs during his rookie year and led Milwaukee in scoring last season. Now Rubio, a 21-year-old Spaniard, is taking his first plunge into the NBA waters and will meet the 22-year-old Jennings on the court three times in the next few weeks. The Bucks and"
July 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings may have changed locales, but he's still working on his fitness and his game. The Bucks point guard is based in Baltimore this summer with the NBA lockout in full swing and no end in sight. Prior to June 30 and the start of the lockout, Jennings was a regular at the Bucks' training facility while working with coach Scott Skiles and the team's staff. "I'm just training and just living," Jennings said in an interview from New York, where he was doing a couple photo shoots on Monday. "The main thing is being consistent and to keep working." Jennings said he has dabbled in boxing and martial arts training for the first time. "It's really helping my arms get stronger and my"
June 30
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
The Bucks announced Wednesday afternoon they have exercised the fourth-year contract option on point guard Brandon Jennings and the third-year option on forward Larry Sanders. There's no surprise in that announcement. Jennings is scheduled to make an estimated $2.5 million in the third year of his rookie deal next season and the fourth-year option is worth about $3.2 million."
June 10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Lockout or no lockout, Brandon Jennings is getting ready for next season. The Milwaukee Bucks point guard has been working out daily with team coaches and said Thursday he intends to stay in Milwaukee this summer to train. If NBA owners lock out the players when the collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, Jennings no longer will be able to work with team personnel. So he's getting a head start with them now while also trying to add some weight to his lean frame. "The thing with me is I've got to keep eating," Jennings said. "I try to eat every three hours; that's the main thing that is going to help me just put on weight." Jennings made an appearance Thursday afternoon at"
May 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
The National Basketball Association is working to extend its reach in India, and it has chosen Milwaukee Bucks' guard Brandon Jennings to help make it happen. The NBA is expected to announce Thursday that Jennings will travel to India from May 13-18 to conduct a series of events to promote and grow the game in Mumbai and Pune. Jennings was chosen because of his youth and his experience playing internationally. Jennings, 21, played overseas in Italy before coming to the Bucks. "Having played in Italy, I have seen firsthand how the sport is growing globally and I am excited to visit India with the NBA to help continue the growth of the game," Jennings said. "The NBA has the best basketball"
March 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
This season has been an educational experience for Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings. And he's learned one thing above all else as he's journeyed through his second season in the National Basketball Association. "It's been challenging," said Jennings after scoring a season-high 37 points to lead the Bucks to a 102-96 victory over the New York Knicks Friday night at Madison Square Garden. "It actually makes me realize that you can't take winning for granted. Winning is hard. It's not easy and every night you have to bring it. I'm more comfortable (this season). I know what's expected. "Last year, I had no idea what 82 games were, and now I just try and go out and play basketball."
March 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings can block a shot every now and then. But the Milwaukee Bucks point guard picked the perfect moment to reject a three-point shot by Detroit's Will Bynum, helping the Bucks escape with a 92-90 victory Tuesday night before a sparse crowd at the Bradley Center. Jennings raced over to the right corner to erase Bynum's potential go-ahead three, knocking it out of bounds with 16.2 seconds remaining and the Bucks leading, 90-88. The Pistons took a timeout and Austin Daye launched a long three that missed, and Jennings secured Milwaukee's victory with two free throws with 5.9 seconds left. The relief was palpable in the Bucks locker room after they ended a two-game skid, winning"
February 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Think back about 11 months ago when the backcourt duo of Brandon Jennings and John Salmons was clicking and the Milwaukee Bucks were making their playoff drive. Those were the days, right? The Bucks would like to reprise that winning tune but are finding it quite difficult due to injuries and inconsistency in the backcourt. Jennings was a picture of frustration on the Bucks' three-game trip as he was saddled with a minutes limit each night while recovering from a broken left foot. He played 17 minutes in Los Angeles against the Clippers, 24 on Wednesday in Phoenix and 20 on Thursday in Oakland. And the 21-year-old guard went 8 of 29 from the field (27.6%) in three Bucks losses, including 1"
February 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
A visibly frustrated Brandon Jennings walked off the court in the fourth quarter with the Milwaukee Bucks trailing the Los Angeles Clippers by one point. His time limit was up and he had to go to the bench after playing 17 minutes as he continued his comeback from surgery on his left foot. But it was hard for the 21-year-old point guard to watch the final 7 minutes of the game as the Bucks faded and lost to the Clippers, 105-98, at the Staples Center on Monday night. Jennings hopes he will be able to play closer to a full game Wednesday night when the Bucks face the Phoenix Suns and try to end a 22-game losing streak on the Suns' home court. Milwaukee has not won in Phoenix since Feb. 21,"
January 30
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
A few encouraging signs were on display in the Bucks' 91-81 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night at the Bradley Center. Take the 17 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocked shots by Bucks center Andrew Bogut. "They didn't read their scouting report, so I'm coming to block that," Bogut quipped after the game. Or if you prefer, how about the team-leading 21 points and 4 three-pointers by guard Carlos Delfino? And then there was the return of point guard Brandon Jennings, playing for the first time in nearly six weeks after undergoing surgery for a fractured bone in his left foot. Jennings did not score a basket but emerged unscathed after 11 minutes and said he was ready for"
January 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings is on target to return Saturday night against New Jersey, Bucks coach Scott Skiles said before Friday's game against Toronto. Jennings, who underwent surgery on a broken left foot on Dec. 20, warmed up on the Air Canada Centre floor before the Bucks-Raptors game. He has been sidelined for 19 games, including Friday, since being injured. "It will probably be very limited minutes (Saturday), but hopefully we can get him out there and play a little bit," Skiles said. John Salmons (strained right hip) and Drew Gooden (left foot plantar fasciitis) did not make the trip to Toronto. Skiles said Salmons stayed behind to get treatment on the hip. If he's not available Saturday, the"
January 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Bucks coach Scott Skiles sounded optimistic Wednesday night, saying in his pre-game remarks that guards Brandon Jennings and John Salmons could be returning soon. Neither player will be available as the Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks. But Salmons is making progress with his right hip strain. And Jennings went 1-on-1 during Wednesday's shootaround and could go 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 at Thursday's practice, Skiles said. Forward Drew Gooden remains out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The Hawks will get two key players back as Al Horford returns to the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained ankle and Marvin Williams returns after being out 11 games with a back contusion."
January 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings admitted he was hoping for better news. The Milwaukee Bucks point guard had an appointment with team doctors Tuesday but was not cleared for a return to practice and full contact. Jennings knows his return date is getting closer as he progresses from a Dec. 20 surgery to repair a fractured bone in his left foot. "I just got some X-rays again, and everything looks fine," Jennings said after the Bucks' practice session Tuesday. "But they're going to hold me back awhile. "It's discouraging, of course. Six weeks would be next week (Monday). They just want to make sure everything is all right." When Jennings underwent surgery, the team announced he would be out four to six"
January 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Just for the fun of it, let's pencil in the Bucks' game in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Jan. 31 as a target date for the return of guard Brandon Jennings who has been sidelined since having surgery on his left foot on Dec. 20. That doesn't mean the game against the Clippers has to be set in stone or that he couldn't return sooner. But when Jennings, who is from Los Angeles, was asked after Tuesday's practice when he thought he might be back in action, he sounded like he definitely wanted to play against the Clippers. "I wish (I could play) tomorrow," said Jennings. "Hopefully, when I go back to L.A. so I can play at home against the Clippers. I want to play at home at least one"
January 3
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings believes mid-January is a good target date for his return from surgery on his left foot. In the meantime, the Milwaukee Bucks point guard is not going stir crazy. Trust him on it, even though the 21-year-old admits it's difficult for him to watch his teammates instead of running the show. "I don't want to rush back and then be hurt again," Jennings said in an interview before the Bucks beat Dallas on Saturday night at the Bradley Center. "It's good that I've been able to rehab. I've been working out, lifting weights and riding a bike." Jennings wears a protective boot on his left foot when he does his workouts. He is now two weeks removed from the surgery to repair a"
December 21
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
The Milwaukee Bucks playing without Brandon Jennings seems hard to imagine after the point guard started his first 114 games with the team. But it's a reality the team must adjust to quickly after Monday's news that Jennings will miss the next four to six weeks with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Jennings underwent surgery in Milwaukee on Monday afternoon to repair the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe. He was injured last week when he made a drive to the basket in the second quarter against San Antonio. Jennings was helped off the court but returned for the second half with no apparent problems. Then he played 30 minutes against Utah on"
December 20
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings will be out for four to six weeks with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot and will undergo surgery in Milwaukee on Monday afternoon, the team announced. Jennings suffered the injury in San Antonio last week and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Sunday that confirmed a diagnosis made by Bucks physician Michael Gordon. Jennings played 30 minutes against Utah on Saturday but complained of pain in his left foot after the game and said he had little lateral movement. The 21-year-old point guard's streak of 107 consecutive games will end Monday night when the Bucks play the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. "Brandon has missed one practice in two"
December 20
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings will not play at Portland on Monday night, the first game he will miss in his NBA career after 107 consecutive regular-season starts. Jennings underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam on his injured left foot Sunday before returning to the Bucks' training facility. The team was awaiting the results but Jennings was not scheduled to travel when the Bucks left for Portland to begin a three-game West Coast swing. "We're just waiting on the results to see what they say," Jennings said. "I haven't really missed a game in my whole career at all. "Being the first time where somebody is saying, 'You can't play or we don't want you to play,' that's really"
December 20
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Every time Brandon Jennings hit the floor, he bounced back up. While plenty of his teammates were being hit with various injuries during the past two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks' 21-year-old point guard always seemed safe from harm. Now, even the youthful Jennings has succumbed to the Bucks' injury bug. After an awkward spill in Wednesday night's game at San Antonio and a painful 30 minutes in the Bucks' loss to Utah on Saturday, Jennings has been ruled out of Milwaukee's game at Portland on Monday night. And it's possible he could be out even longer depending on the results of a magnetic resonance imaging exam he underwent Sunday morning. "It's really tough for me right now, just the"
December 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
A bad night for the Milwaukee Bucks turned a bit more ominous with concerns about point guard Brandon Jennings' sore left foot. Jennings tried to play through the pain Saturday night but didn't have his usual burst. And his teammates looked sluggish at the finish as the Utah Jazz went on a late run to clinch a 95-86 victory at the Bradley Center. Utah point guard Deron Williams capably directed the Jazz as it bounced back from a 29-point loss at New Orleans on Friday night. And the frontcourt trio of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Andrei Kirilenko combined for 27 rebounds - each with nine - as the Jazz battered the Bucks on the boards by a 46-31 margin. Jennings said he was expecting to"
October 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings tripled his pleasure in the Milwaukee Bucks' home opener Saturday night, but he was happiest about the team's first victory. Jennings posted the first triple-double of his NBA career with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Bucks' 98-88 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats before a crowd of 16,519 at the Bradley Center. And it was a better-flowing game for the Bucks as they bounced back from a stumbling effort in Minnesota on Friday night. Carlos Delfino set the tone by hitting some three-point shots early and finished with 23 points to pace the Bucks (1-2). A more aggressive Andrew Bogut contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots in his first"
October 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
It's encore time for Brandon Jennings, and that promises to be a difficult task. As a rookie, the 6-foot-1 point guard started 89 games, including seven in the playoffs. He scored an NBA season-high 55 points in just his seventh game as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks - and the outrageous outburst came after not scoring a single point in the first quarter that night against the Golden State Warriors. And he nearly posted a triple-double in his NBA debut when he had 17 points, nine assists and nine rebounds on opening night in Philadelphia. When Jennings finally had time to catch his breath at the end of the season, he was the only member of the elite rookie trio (also including"
October 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Remember last season when the Bucks declined their third-year option on forward Joe Alexander? The team faced a much easier decision this fall with 2009 first-round pick Brandon Jennings and announced Monday it had exercised the third-year option on Jennings' contract. Jennings will be paid nearly $2.5 million next season in the third year of his rookie-scale contract and will be paid in the $2.3 million range this season. The 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Jennings had a standout rookie season and finished third in the rookie of the year balloting behind Sacramento's Tyreke Evans and Golden State's Stephen Curry."
September 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings wasn't holding anything back on the Milwaukee Bucks' opening day of practice. The second-year point guard was diving on the floor, leaping to snag back-to-back defensive rebounds during a half-court rebounding drill and screaming encouragement to his new teammates. If the 21-year-old had any questions about his ability to make it on the NBA stage, they clearly were erased during his standout rookie season. "I'm just trying to get the guys alive and get them going," Jennings said of his exuberance as the Bucks opened training camp at the Cousins Center. "We're trying to do some big things this year, so everybody has got to be on the same agenda." Jennings started in all 89"
September 16
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings has heard all the talk this summer about the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. How could he avoid it? LeBron James bolting Cleveland for Miami was the NBA's biggest story of the off-season. James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are expected to make the Heat a championship contender but also could make the team one of the most hated in the league. The Celtics added Shaquille O'Neal to help veterans Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, after barely missing out on an NBA title last season. And the Bulls struck out in the LeBron sweepstakes but signed free-agent power forward Carlos Boozer to go along with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. And don't forget the Orlando"
August 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Finding the right fit at point guard was paramount to the Milwaukee Bucks. After Luke Ridnour received a four-year, $16 million payday from Minnesota, Bucks management knew it needed a new sidekick for dynamic young point guard Brandon Jennings. So the Bucks moved quickly to sign 10-year veteran Keyon Dooling, who became a free agent after being released by the New Jersey Nets in late June. The 6-foot-3 Dooling was introduced Wednesday at the Cousins Center and sounded eager to embrace his new role. "Luke was phenomenal while he was here, and he was able to be successful in spite of how good Brandon was," Dooling said. "I'll be the backup point guard. I'll come in and execute my role every"
June 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
It's one thing John Hammond does not have to worry about so much this summer - the starting point guard spot. The Milwaukee Bucks general manager settled much of that debate last June when he selected Brandon Jennings with the 10th overall pick in the draft. The hand-wringing was left to others, including the New York Knicks, who famously passed on Jennings with the eighth pick. Instead the Knicks took power forward Jordan Hill, who didn't even last a full season in New York before being traded to Houston in the Tracy McGrady deal. So on a gorgeous, sunny Monday afternoon at Summerfest, the Bucks were able to trot out Jennings to mix with the team's newly optimistic fans, to sign"
May 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Bob Wolfley
"
On the "Rome is Burning" show on ESPN Monday afternoon, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings sure sounded like a player who was satisfied with his setting and wasn't looking for a way out. Jennings gave Bucks coach Scott Skiles credit for his outstanding rookie season. "I can't complain where I am now, with a great coach," Jennings said when Jim Rome asked how he felt about being selected a bit lower in the draft than he expected. "He's been teaching me a lot this year and he's the reason why I've had a successful season." Jennings was asked about Skiles' approach."
May 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Garry D. Howard
"
It all started about a year ago on NBA draft night last June, when Young Buck began freefalling down the lottery board at Madison Square Garden. Blake Griffin glides to the Los Angeles Clippers, who have the No. 1 overall pick. No surprise there. . . . Hasheem Thabeet No. 2, James Harden No. 3 and Tyreke Evans, point guard extraordinaire, all find homes, with Evans heading to Sacramento at No. 4 for a soon-to-be Rookie of the Year campaign. Still, no surprise. . . . Then Minnesota takes Spanish alleged sensation, Ricky Rubio, with the No. 5 pick . . . and the Timberwolves turn around andSyracuse's diminutive ironman, Jonny Flynn, with the No. 6 pick. Hmmmm. . . . Next up, the Golden State"
May 3
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings left his rookie year Sunday with a vow. "This summer I'll work out, get stronger and come back a totally different player," he said after the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated, 95-74, by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. That has to be an encouraging thought for the Bucks and a sobering concept for the rest of the league about the electrifying point guard who finished third in rookie of the year voting. Jennings also averaged 18.7 points in his first postseason experience after leading the Bucks with 15 points in Game 7. Throughout the series, he mostly performed with veteran poise. Though he struggled with his shot late in the series, he opened it by"
April 30
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings skipped across the court following the Milwaukee Bucks' stunning Game 5 victory in Atlanta, showing a bit of playoff swagger. No, Young Buck did not get the NBA rookie of the year award on Thursday, an honor that instead went to Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans. But given the choice, the 20-year-old Jennings would gladly take the playoff experience over the trophy. And how about this? If the Bucks are able to defeat the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 at a sold-out Bradley Center on Friday night, the Milwaukee point guard and his teammates will be in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic. The Bucks lead the best-of-seven series with Atlanta, 3-2, and have"
April 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Rookie point guard Brandon Jennings breathed a sigh of relief the first night he played with veteran John Salmons. That was the February evening in Detroit that Salmons calmly drilled a clutch three-pointer in the closing moments, lifting the Bucks past the Pistons and starting the late-season run that put Milwaukee in the playoffs. The backcourt partnership has prospered ever since and is having a major impact as the Bucks battle the Atlanta Hawks in a first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. The Hawks lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, entering Game 4 Monday night at the Bradley Center. Salmons and Jennings combined for 35 points and 12 assists in the Bucks' 107-89 victory in Game"
April 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
The Bucks know what's at stake in Game 3 of the playoffs Saturday night at the Bradley Center. Win, and Monday night's game in the Eastern Conference series will be incredibly meaningful. Lose, and they will face a nearly insurmountable 3-0 hole in their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. "Now it's pressure because we're down, 0-2," rookie point guard Brandon Jennings said after the Bucks' practice session Thursday. "We don't want to get swept out of the playoffs. "We win Game 3 and hopefully win the game on Monday. Then we're back in the series, and that's when it gets real interesting." Jennings, 20, has achieved many of his goals during his first pro season, primarily helping"
April 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Hawks finally made Brandon Jennings look like a rookie. After the Milwaukee guard poured in 34 points in Game 1, the Hawks harassed him into a 3-for-15 shooting night in Game 2. Jennings scored only nine points and was so ineffective that Skiles left him on the bench for the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter. Hawks guard Joe Johnson can't match Jennings' quickness, but he has six inches of height and about 70 pounds on him. He used those physical advantages and veteran savvy to make things difficult on Jennings. "Joe has been playing a lot of point guards, so he's somewhat used to it," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Jennings is a tough cover. He can get to the rim, and he can"
April 21
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
Brandon Jennings made a stunning playoff debut Saturday, but the rookie point guard struggled as the Milwaukee Bucks dropped a 96-86 decision to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 on Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Jennings scored nine points on 3-of-15 shooting and had several shots swatted back in his face by taller Hawks defenders. He also struggled from beyond the three-point arc, hitting just 1 of 6 attempts. "They're going to block some shots," Jennings said after the Bucks fell behind, 2-0, in the best-of-seven series. "Our main thing is we're going to have to start learning how to pump-fake a little bit more or even hitting the elbow jump shot. "If we're going to go in there, we're going"
April 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
In a pregame conversation Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles had with his rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, the coach advised him to set the tone for the team and stay aggressive. As tones go, 34 points on 14-of-25 shooting in his playoff debut sounded pretty good to Skiles. "He was, in many ways, our most composed player early in the game," Skiles said. "That bodes really well for him." Jennings had 20 by halftime and then dumped 12 on the Hawks in the third quarter, making five of six shots. Jennings used his quickness to get to the basket and also to create room for jump shots. He was 4-for-6 from 3-point range."