Sixth Man: Brandon Jennings
Age: 26 (9/23/1989)
2015-16 Slash Line: .368/.329/.731
2015-16 Season Averages: 18.1 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 3PM
Accolades: 2010 All-Rookie First Team
Before you overreact to Brandon Jennings’ slash line and production, understand that he made a miraculous recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon. Despite suffering the injury in January of 2015, he was back on the court by the end of December that same year.
Thus, while Jennings’ 2015-16 season may have been underwhelming, merely playing 48 games was significant progress.
With half a season behind him, Jennings is ready to elevate the intensity of his recovery process to entirely new heights. He’ll actually have a full offseason to train and work out, which is a luxury he wasn’t afforded in 2015.
For what it’s worth, Jennings averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 3-point field goals made over the first six seasons of his career.
In 2016-17, Jennings will play the role of sixth man—a role he’s entirely ready to embrace. Team president Phil Jackson challenged him to win Sixth Man of the Year, and Jennings has accepted the challenge.
The road to recovery and redemption has brought Jennings to New York, where he’ll play a critical role in 2016-17.
must read: Reasons to love the Brandon Jennings signing
Having seen the starting lineup, hit the comments section and give us your projected win total for the 2016-17 New York Knicks!