Tales From The NBA: A Baller on a Budget

Saturday night, NBA Rookie Brandon Jennings, scored 55 points against the Warriors – breaking several records in the process.

But this isn’t a sports blog, so who cares?!

Although Jennings showed a lot of maturity while he sliced & diced Golden State’s defense, you could argue that he shows even more maturity off of the court.

A few weeks ago former Celtic Star, Antoine Walker, made news by being broke. He had burned through over 114 million dollars. Unfortunately for Mr. Walker (and his creditors), he had only earned 110 million.

“Walker, 33, has always been known as a big spender. He regularly took limos everywhere, would buys suits for each day of the playoffs (so he wasn’t caught wearing the same one twice) and was said to be supporting 70 friends and relatives, the report said.”

What does this have to do with Brandon Jennings? In a league where 60% of players file for bankruptcy within 5 years of leaving the hardwood, Brandon Jennings won’t be one of them. He is seeing to it.

So far Jennings’s decision-making has impressed his coaches. He moved into a condo less than a mile from the Bucks’ training center in St. Francis, Wis., far from downtown Milwaukee and its beckoning nightlife.

There is an Italian-made Ferrari in the players’ parking lot, but it does not belong to Jennings. It is guard Michael Redd’s car. Jennings opted for a Ford Edge, with its sticker price of $26,000. “I want to save my money,” he explained.

Jennings appears to be well positioned to succeed.

Professional sports need a few more Brandon Jennings. I really hope this guy succeeds – and remains fiscally responsible along the way.

via Jennings, an N.B.A. Trailblazer, Encounters Bumps in the Road – NYTimes.com.