Knicks could've used Jennings
MILWAUKEE - Donnie Walsh admitted with stunning candor Friday that going into the draft, he and his scouting staff "didn't have a feel" for Brandon Jennings' game. It took only about two weeks of NBA action to get the feeling the Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - made a mistake when they passed on him with the eighth pick.
Jennings finished with 17 points, three assists, four rebounds and five turnovers in 26:11 in the Bucks' 102-87 victory over the Knicks last night. Knicks point guard Chris Duhon had one point, four assists and three turnovers in 20:13.
Jennings' outstanding start this season - he entered the game leading the Bucks with 18.8 points and 4.8 assists per game - has the Knicks scrambling to explain themselves. Especially given how how poorly Duhon has played.
Walsh said the concern with Jennings was the very little scouting information they had on him from Italy and his slight 6-1, 169-pound frame. But they saw firsthand his predraft workout, where he took it to Tyreke Evans. "I thought I showed them enough in the workout," Jennings said.
Knicks fix
Danilo Gallinari wasn't the only young Knick with whom LeBron James had an encouraging chat Friday at the Garden. Apparently, James went out of his way to offer rookie Toney Douglas a pat on the shoulder after Douglas got into it with the Cavaliers' Delonte West in the fourth quarter. "He just said to keep my head up," Douglas said. "That I'm all right."
Knicks rookie Marcus Landry, who is from Milwaukee, saw extensive playing time in front of friends and family members. He had six points and two rebounds.
