It's still unclear what Scott Skiles' abrupt departure means for Brandon Jennings' future in Milwaukee, but it doesn't appear that the fourth-year guard played any role in making it happen:
Brandon Jennings reacts to Scott Skiles’ departure
The Bucks guard had kind words on Tuesday for the only NBA coach he’s ever known.
Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
Coach skiles love the way he Approached the game. Believed in me since I was a rookie, gave me the rock since day one. Thanks for everything
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@justryod3) January 8, 2013
Skiles, an intense defensive-minded coach, has been known to wear on players in his various stops in the NBA, but his fiery style doesn’t appear to have affected his relationship with his mercurial young PG.
Jennings took an unorthodox route to the NBA, forgoing the NCAA to play in Italy for a season, but Skiles, a former NBA PG, still installed him as Milwaukee’s primary ball-handler as a rookie and never looked back. Jennings made an early splash, including a memorable 55-point explosion in his seventh game in the NBA, but his inability to shoot more efficiently from the field has held him back ever since.
In his four seasons with Skiles, Jennings has averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 assists on 40/35/83 shooting. However, Milwaukee has made the playoffs only once in that span while a mid-season deal for Monta Ellis last year has not yet paid dividends for the team.
As a result, Jennings was not offered an extension this summer, making him a restricted free agent in 2013. And with Skiles gone, the Bucks future is as hazy as ever: Ellis has a player option for next season while GM John Hammond is in the last year of his contract as well.
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