Buck coach Scott Skiles gives Brandon Jennings the freedom to gamble a bit defensively because of the guard's quick hands.

"You've just got to be smart about it, but I wouldn't equate one (steals) with the other (good defense)," Skiles said.

"He's always had good hands, and I think maybe some of the guys he plays against underestimate him a little bit. If they're a bit too careless with it, he can take it from them.

"I will say this. There are guys who get steals because they're on the weak side, like a LeBron (James) and shoot the gap. But Brandon can actually pick it from a guy who's dribbling the ball, and at this level that's very difficult to do."