Brandon Jennings electrified NBA crowds in the early 2010s with his fearless scoring and ankle-breaking handles. Drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009, he was part of the 2009 draft class alongside future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and James Harden. Injuries cut Jennings’ career short, but his confidence in his abilities never wavered. And recently, he made sure to let the world know.
On Gil’s Arena, Jennings wasted no time asserting his place among the best of his draft class. Upon hearing Jrue Holiday’s name, Jennings promptly clarified his stance. “Jrue Holiday was NEVER better than me in the game of basketball,” Jennings declared. “He has a better career than me. But he is not better than me.”
Not stopping there, Jennings doubled down on his belief in his one-on-one skills. When asked who would win between him and other former NBA guards like Lou Williams and Jeff Teague, his response was instant: “If me and Lou Will play 1-on-1, I’m winning… Jeff Teague, whoever. If anyone wants to play 1v1, let’s go!” These bold assertions have sparked debates about whether Jennings is exceptionally confident or overly so. Even Dwyane Wade had thoughts on that.
“We all are Hoopers, and we all understood a lot of what Brandon Jennings was saying,” Wade said, stepping in to defend him. “When Brandon Jennings said that a lot of guys in the NBA, he was pretty much like, they’re not better than me. Lace them up. One-on-one.” Wade acknowledged that while Holiday has had a more successful career, it wasn’t necessarily because he was a better player, it was about staying healthy and getting the right opportunities.
Oct 28, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is honored at halftime during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
“And he’s also, too, been on better teams than Brandon Jennings,” Wade added, doubling down on the argument. But why did Jennings single out Holiday? According to Wade and his co-hosts, it was nothing more than classic barbershop talk. Just another day in the NBA world where confidence and competition never fade, even after retirement.
Does Brandon Jennings have a point? Let’s break it down
But here’s the real question — does Brandon Jennings have a case? Most people remember Jrue Holiday for the player he has become in recent years—a two-time champion with the Bucks and Celtics, a defensive anchor, and a respected veteran. But early in his career, he wasn’t the same dominant force. He was solid, but not the All-Star leader he is today.
Meanwhile, Jennings had a different path. Across nine seasons and five teams, he flashed serious potential before injuries changed everything. His Achilles tear in 2015 halted his progress just as he was becoming one of the league’s better guards. Now in his 16th season, Jrue Holiday continues to thrive as a high-impact player.
If we’re talking about their first three years in the NBA, Jennings’ argument holds weight. As a rookie, he put up 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while Holiday averaged just eight points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. Statistically, Jennings had the better start.
Jennings peaked in his third year, dropping 19.1 points a game, compared to Holiday’s 13.5. And let’s not forget—Jennings had that iconic 55-point game against Steph Curry’s Warriors as a rookie, a scoring feat unmatched by any first-year player since the ABA/NBA merger. So, does he have a point? Or is it just confidence talking?
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