Brandon Jennings

In the McDonald's All American game, it was obvious that Brandon Jennings can pass and can run a flawless fast break again and again. I'm looking forward to that next year (assuming I go back to watching college hoops). I have a couple of concerns, though.

There are different kinds of point guards. Creators (such as Chris Paul or Steve Nash) dominate the ball, and do almost all the creating for teammates or themselves. Distributors (such as Deron Williams or Mike Bibby) sometimes create, but they can also play without the ball, or distribute the ball to teammates where they can create or where they've already gotten open by moving without the ball. UA point guards are usually distributors. Think of Jason Gardner and Mike Bibby. Neither one racked up a lot of assists, but the offense always ran smoothly. I'm not sure how the offense will look next year, with or without Jerryd Bayless, but it will be interesting how Lute Olson adjusts his system with someone who will probably be the best UA point guard ever, in the pros, if not while at Arizona.

Secondly, one of the duties of a point guard is to be an extension of the coach. This means making sure the team gets good shots, doesn't waste possessions, runs the right plays, etc. I can't tell from one game how well Brandon does this. However, I can go through the tape and point out about 8 possessions he just threw away, either with a turnover, a charge, or a rushed three. I wouldn't read too much into it, considering that's about par for an all star game, especially considering how much he had the ball in his hands. It remains to be seen what kind of decsionmaker he will be.

Basketball is a game of chemistry. A great point guard, a great shooting guard, and a great small forward aren't necessarily going to play well together. From what little I've seen, next season could be another one filled with lots a great highlights, exciting basketball, multiple future lottery picks, and 22 wins and a 6th seed. I'm hoping for much better.