Behind Jennings’ masterful performance, the Bucks beat the Golden State Warriors by a final score of 129-125. The rookie point guard got help from Andrew Bogut’s 19 points and 11 rebounds in addition to the 14 points, six assists and four rebounds from Charlie Bell.

The scoring outburst by Jennings topped Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s franchise record for points by a rookie. In fact, only Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry and Earl Monroe had games with more points in their rookie campaign.

After high school, Jennings spent a year in Europe. Drafted tenth overall by the Bucks, he now has to be considered the Rookie of the Year favorite. He’s averaging 25.6 points and 5.1 assists through his first seven NBA games.

Brandon Jennings is early favorite Rookie of the Year (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Rookie Brandon Jennings Scores 55 Points

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have a lot of good, young pieces — namely Al Jefferon and Kevin Love — but it’ll take a few years before this squad is ready.

4. Milwaukee Bucks
After basically giving away Richard Jefferson and let Ramon Sessions, the Bucks just don’t have enough talent to compete right now.

3. Memphis Grizzlies
Allen Iverson in Memphis should sell tickets. That said, the Grizzlies have a chance to be really bad this year if Iverson doesn’t mesh with his teammates.

2. New Jersey Nets
The Nets are in an ownership transition and without Vince Carter to lean on, fans in New Jersey better get ready for lots of losses.

1. Sacramento Kings
Last season, the Kings had the worst record in the NBA. This year, it should be more of the same.

Kevin Martin and the Kings face a long season (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Worst NBA Teams – Power Rankings

Last year, Bogans played for both the Orlando Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks. With Orlando, Bogans started 15 of 36 games and averaged 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game. With Milwaukee, Bogans averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game.

While he’s not much of an offensively, as evident by his 39.4% lifetime field goal percentage, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Bogans is known as a strong, rugged defender who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

Bogans reportedly signed a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth a little more than $1 million. With the Spurs, Bogans will likely backup Richard Jefferson at small forward. He’ll compete for minutes with other swingmen including Manu Ginobili, Roger Mason, Jr. and Michael Finley.

Keith Bogans - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Keith Bogans Signs with the Spurs

For the Timberwolves, this is very good news and lessens the sting of losing out on Ricky Rubio. Sessions will help bridge the gap until Rubio is ready for the NBA. In fact, some NBA scouts believe that Sessions has a brighter NBA future than Rubio.

In Minnesota, expect Sessions to handle the point guard duties along with Jonny Flynn. Flynn was drafted by the team in the 2009 NBA Draft with the sixth overall selection.

As for the Bucks, they simple couldn’t afford re-signing Sessions at that price due to the looming luxury tax. Now they will use the trio of Luke Ridnour, Brandon Jennings and Roko Ukic at point guard. While Ridnour will likely begin the 2009-10 NBA season as a starter, Jennings appears to be the long-term answer at that position for Milwaukee.

Ramon Session now is with the Minnesota Timberwolves (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Bucks Decline, Ramon Sessions to T’Wolves

The Timberwolves were motivated to go after Sessions after losing Ricky Rubio. After drafting Rubio with the fifth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Spaniard ultimately decided to stay in Spain. Needing a point guard, Minnesota turned to Sessions.

Last year with the Bucks, Sessions started 38 games and averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per contest. He shot 44.5% from the field, 79.4% and posted averages of 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Since Sessions was a restricted free agent, the Bucks have an option to match the offersheet. However if he ends up with the Timberwolves, Sessions will battle with rookie Jonny Flynn for the starting point guard gig. Considering that the 23-year-old Sessions has more experience, he would be the favorite for the job going into training camp.

Ramon Sessions signs offerseet with the Minnesota Timberwolves (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Ramon Sessions Signs Minnesota Offersheet

The Bucks had until August 1st to either release or trade Bowen to save money. By releasing Bowen, Milwuakee saves at least $2 million.

After bouncing around the NBA early in his professional career, Bowen eventually made a name for himself with the Spurs. In his eight years in San Antonio, the Spurs won three NBA championships — in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Known as a fantastic perimeter defender, Bowen also developed into a very good three-point shooter.

Even though he’s 38 years old, a number of teams have been said to be interested including the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs may attempt to bring him back to San Antonio or Bowen may opt to retire.

Bruce Bowen waived by the Bucks (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Bruce Bowen Released by the Bucks

In return for Jefferson, the Bucks got salary relief in the threesome of Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas. Both Bowen and Oberto have partially guaranteed contracts that will create space under the NBA’s luxury tax. Out of the three players, the only one who may suit up for the Bucks is Thomas.

Last season, Jefferson averaged 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He shot 43.9% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the three-point arc. In 2003 while with the New Jersey Nets, Jefferson played against the Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs won the series in six games to capture their second NBA championship. Since then, San Antonio has won two more championships.

Jefferson and the Spurs hope that he’s can be a key contributor to championship number five.

Richard Jefferson joins Tim Duncan on the San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Richard Jefferson Traded to the Spurs

Kevin Martin (Kings)- For three straight seasons the 6′7, 185lb Western Carolina alum has averaged better than 20ppg. For most of the past two seasons K-Mart has been the man in Sac-Town, but he’s become somewhat of a secret because the Kings’ dreadfulness as of late. Kevin’s shooting form is so unorthodox it almost makes Shawn Marion’s stroke look worthy of duplication. But what makes Kevin so lethal is his quick first step, his ability to get to the line frequently, and his myriad of creative shots he makes from mid range. There’s really no stopping him when he’s got his three point shot going, he’s a career 39% from deep.  I expect him to make at least one All-Star team before he’s done.

John Salmons (Bulls)- Was known primarily as an average bench player until the 07/08 season, when he  started 81 games for the Kings. This season he has split teams, first with the Kings, then (now) with the Bulls, averaging a healthy 18.3 ppg. He is usually known for solid defensive play, and for the most part that has continued, but recently people have seen what he can bring to the table offensively. For the Bulls Salmons has become the 3^rd option and has flourished in that role. For a title contender Salmons would be the ideal first or second guy off the bench, just imagine how dangerous the Bulls would be if Luol Deng was healthy.  Update- Salmons scored 35 points in a triple OT Bulls win on Thursday night. Luol who?

Salmons blew by Pierce and the Celtics a lot in Game 6 (Image:Newscom)

Luis Scola (Rockets)- In just two years in the league Luis has become a sturdy side kick next to Yao Ming. All the talk is directed towards T-Mac, or Ron Artest, Yao, even Shane Battier, and surprisingly enough newly inserted starting point guard Aaron Brooks too, but Scola is often times overlooked. Even Carl Landry gets more pub than Scola. 17.6ppg and 7.2reb/gm so far in the Portland series for Scola. His playoff ppg are up by almost five from his regular season totals.

Ramon Sessions (Bucks)- He’s only been in the league for two seasons, but has come a long way since being drafted #26 in the 2^nd round in 07. He only saw time in 17 games as a rookie, but was the Bucks starting point guard in season two, averaging a respectable 12.4 points and 5.7 assists in 79 games. Sessions just turned 23, I have to believe he’s a keeper in Milwaukee.

Randy Foye (Timberwolves)- Might have averaged the quietest 16 ppg in the league. I remember him as a killa thrilla at Villanova and he has translated his skill set to the big show in season three. He beats defenders by the dribble drive and also from beyond the arc and he’s got a perfect point guard build at 6′4, 210lbs. The Wolves are assembling some nice pieces around Al Jefferson, and Foye is definitely one of them to watch grow.

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA’s most overlooked