Watch for Brandon Knight to have a breakout season
The main stars from the 2010 Kentucky squad successfully broke out in their fourth season last year. John Wall was an All-Star, Demarcus Cousins was one of five players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds, Eric Bledsoe was a full starter for the first time and showcased his extraordinary athleticism, and Patrick Patterson finally found a good home in Canada and showed that he can ball. Now that all of them have settled into the NBA, it’s time for the more recent UK stars to explode into the NBA. Guess who’s entering his fourth season in the NBA?
Young Buck Brandon Knight is entering his second season with the Milwaukee Bucks, his fourth overall. He was originally drafted 8th overall in 2011 by the Detroit Pistons, played two seasons in the Motor City before being trade to Brew Town for Brandon Jennings. You remember that clutch shot he hit against Ohio State in the 2011 Tournament? No? No worries, I’ve got it right here for ya.
Knight averaged 18 points with five assists and three and-a-half rebounds per game last season, which was plagued by injury right of the bat, pulling his hamstring in the first game of the year. In a disastrous season,
fellow teammate OJ Mayo began to connect more with the 22 year-old guard
, and they’ve grown a strong bond in the offseason.
“He’s a heck of a worker and he definitely motivated me last year just because how the season was going, he was still focused,” Mayo said. “I told him, I wanted to come out this summer and work out with you because we weren’t – but if we were ready to go to the playoffs – he was ready to play at a high level. That lets you know right there where he was with his workout regimen.”
Nov 30, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (00) and guard Brandon Knight (11) hug after the Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 92-85 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
With the bond of Knight and Mayo growing, Knight has new bonds to grow. He now has the pleasure of teaming up with Jabari Parker and an improved Giannis Antemp….po…kou… you know who I’m talking about. It’s a young, promising lineup in the Cheese State, and Knight has taken the personal responsibility of being a leader to this team. In Knight’s own words:
“I think great leaders find ways to make guys that sometimes don’t play hard every night, they find ways to make sure that their team does,” he said. “That’s the main thing for me, making sure that I get guys to come along with me on that journey of playing hard every single night for 82 games.”
Oct 11, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) reacts to a call as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) watches in the first quarter during pre-season game at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
In the John Calipari-era, players to come out of Kentucky have that keen leadership attribute, and that’s no different with Brandon. New head coach Jason Kidd already is very high of him.
“He’s a piece that we want here,” Kidd said. “You talk about his work ethic, the way that he approaches the game, he’s professional on and off the court. His work ethic is extremely high. Loves the game and I look for him to have a great training camp and a great preseason and overall a very good season for us.”
Look for Brandon Knight to perhaps have that big breakout year this season, he’s worked extremely hard for it.