Though there most definitely is a clash of culture, lifestyle and media appreciation etc pp, it still strikes me as odd how people keep looking at this unique experience from the negative side only.
The game we play over here in Europe is called basketball, but it is strongly team-oriented. It`s a question of defining the word. Obviously, there`s a diffusion - one word standing for two different ways of playing, having two separate meanings. In the `European` way, playing basketball as a team game means having a bigger rotation (10-12 strong), no set starting lineup (more or less) and splitting the playing time proportionally among the players.
So what Brandon has learned is maturity through sticking to a role on a team. Of course he had the qualities back then. Of course he didn`t just develop a reliable (at least) jump shot. He had it all back then, he worked on his skill-set religiously and now, given the chance (coincidentally having Michael Redd miss some games), he is simply showing what he can do. And he can do a lot.
I`ve been investigating the whole Jennings-phenomenon quite closely, I`ve heard/read perhaps all possible points of view. As always, once you step back and review the matter you get a clearer picture. The one I got and tend to like is this:
Proven fact: Brandon Jennings is most definitely for real.
