Thursday Take-Twos

There’s no debate about who the best rookie in the NBA is so far this year. He plays for the Bucks, and nearly broke Wilt Chamberlain’s rookie points-per-game record last Saturday. Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings missed the 39 year old record by three points in just his seventh NBA game. He became the third Bucks player to score more than 50 points in a game, and joined Chamberlain, Earl Monroe, Elgin Baylor Ricky Barry as the only rookies to ever pocket 55 points. The 20-year old point guard who chose to forego college is not only the top first-year phenom, he’s also top ten in the league.
Jennings’ unconventional path to the NBA turned many heads and his draft stock fell because he chose to play overseas ball instead of going to college. It’s the rookie that has the last laugh now. Jennings was drafted 10th overall after shooting hoops in Italy for the Euroleague. His promising professional career places him in elite company already. Jennings is averaging 25 points per game and has revitalized Bucks basketball. The Bradley Center is no longer lifeless because of the Brandon buzz. The 6’1” guard registered 55 points against the Warriors, but shooting isn’t his only impressive skill. Jennings has an array of talents, including darting quickness and sound defense. The Bucks may have taken a risk on a player who barely made his mark in Italy. They now have peace of mind for gambling on a rookie who delivers.
The New York Knicks could use a shooter like Jennings. Actually, they could just use an identity. The floundering Knicks canned their cantankerous coach but are still struggling under Mike D’Antoni. The answer could be, well The Answer. Allen Iverson, the former ill-tempered MVP, wasn’t happy with his playing time or role in Memphis. He forced himself out after playing only three games for the Grizzlies and has a reputation for not practicing. Still, A.I. is one of the elite players in the NBA. The Knicks show of interest is intriguing, but would A.I. improve the dynamics in New York? Iverson moves the ball well and would automatically make the Knicks a better all-around team. The Knicks’ free-flowing offense does translate well for A.I. But he’s a selfish player who may not fit well in a big market. He thrived in Philadelphia despite many fighting exchanges with the head coach because he WAS the 76ers. He’ll get his minutes and the spotlight in New York too. But unless he tears it up on the court, New York fans won’t take to him as they do in other cities. The 34 year old is a marketable player but doesn’t necessarily bring a winning game to New York. He won’t make a marginal team like the Knicks a playoff contender. Iverson is not the type of player, at his age, to build a team around. If he came to New York, he would be allowed to do whatever he wants. A.I. would enjoy that, but at what expense to the Knicks? If this Iverson courting materializes, Knicks fans can “call him Al”.
The baseball post-season hardware continued to be handed out this week. Neither won a World Series, but the Angels’ Mike Scioscia and Rockies’ Jim Tracy won the Manager of the Year awards Wednesday. Scioscia was awarded his second AL Manager of the Year after guiding Los Angeles to their third consecutive division title. The fifty-one year old skipper received 15 first place votes and won out over Minnesota’s Ron Gardenhire. Tracy topped St. Louis Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa, with 29 first place votes. LaRussa was a distant second with 55 overall points to Tracy’s 151. Tracy took over as head coach following Clint Hurdle’s firing. He was promoted from bench coach and lead the Rockies to an NL wild card. Colorado was 14 ½ games behind NL West leading Los Angeles when Tracy took over in late May. The extended the division race after going 74-42 the rest of the way but eventually fell to Philadelphia in the division series.
Kansas City Royals’ ace, Zack Greinke, took home the honor of AL CY Young. Greinke’s major league low ERA of 2.16 earned him 25 of the 28 first place votes. Seattle southpaw, Felix Hernandez, drew two first place votes to finish second. Greinke won just 16 games and played for a last place team. The 26 year old Kansas City hurler was exceptional all season, allowing just 11 homeruns. His CY Young was well-deserved. He pounced on batters all year and fielded his position as well as any pitcher in the league. The newly crowned NL CY Young winner belongs to the San Francisco Giants for the second straight season. Tim Lincecum won in convincing fashion over Arizona’s Brandon Webb in 2008. The 25 year old right-handed pitcher duplicated that feat this year. One of the ripest throwers in the game, Lincecum edged out the Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Wainwright received the most third place votes, but finished third overall. Carpenter landed 94 overall points to Lincecum’s 100 in one of the closest ballots in history. Lincecum’s overpowering stuff made him the league leader in strikeouts, with 265 a year ago. This year, Lincecum went 15-7 with nearly as many fans (261). He pitched a workhorse-like 225 1/3 innings and started 32 games. Lincecum posted an ERA of 2.48 and is the only pitcher to win back-to-back CY Youngs in his first two full seasons. The wiry 5’7” hurler is also one of three pitchers in the NL to win the award in consecutive years.

Parting Points: Good song to sing in honor of A.I.- “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon