Roy: "I think the young fella is ready to go."

"I think the young fella is ready to go," Roy said. "Throw him out there, throw him into the fire. That's what I say."

Also-

With Bayless screaming and flexing after the whistle, and the Blazers' bench beside themselves, Roy sought out the youngster at the top of the key.

"I just wanted to yell with him," Roy said. "He was yelling, and I was like, 'No, no -- come here. I want to yell too.'"

And-

"He is amazing at getting to the basket," said Roy, who fared pretty well himself, finishing with 29 points. "I get a chance to see it in practice, and I'm like, when this dude finally gets comfortable out there, he's gonna be tough, because you can't keep him out of the paint."

Why is Bayless able to drive so often and have it appear so easy?

"He's strong, strong as hell," Roy said. "Just play against him and you'll see why he gets there. Tell him to drive on you one time. He puts that body on you ... I mean, I was falling back (going) 'Whoooooa!'"

That says it. Roy wants Bayless to play. And if Roy says it, it will happen.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/01/portland_rebounds_from_loss_at.html

 

Wow. What a glowing review from Roy about our man Bayless.

I'm happy for the guy, I was ecstatic when we drafted Bayless as I thought it was impossible. Can't wait until he becomes a starter, he's been my favorite blazer since we drafted him (loved him at Arizona)

 

Can I finally say that Sergio sank tonight?

I posted in another thread this was a sink or swim night for him, and Bayless is the story.

Buh bye, Sergio...

 

Sergio wasn't horrible. He just wasn't GREAT. I wouldn't be surprised if Sergio starts again, just to give him another chance, but I think Sergio should come off the bench with the other Spanish dude. And when Blake comes back, no more Sergio, though I will miss his alley oops to Rudy. We need to teach Jerryd how to throw those.

 

Sergio is an afterthought at this point.

 

I thought he was at the start of the season. When we drafted Bayless and he played so well in summer league, I assumed we'd at LEAST make him the back up PG if not start him. But apparently Sergio's shot had improved and he would have good chemistry with Rudy so I went along with it, but eventually, tonight had to happen.

 

I'm all for trading Sergio before the deadline or in the offseason and bringing over Koponen

 

i'm for trading blake and seeing our two young guys get minutes.

 

I suppose this was when they were yelling together:

 

Blake is oh so much better than Sergio, it's not even funny. Blake is staying in Portland. He will be the best backup PG in the league.

 

Anyone surprised by how similar they look?

 

It's obvious that Roy is taking Jerryd under his wing. He cleary sees himself in the young guard, and wants him to succeed. I think the two have chemistry on the court, and I can't wait to see some more of the Bayless/Roy backcourt.

 

Yup, it's great to see. Jerryd's been the man his whole basketball career and could've easily sulked on the bench when Augustin, Rose and Westbrook were getting time and flourishing. But the guy had a great attitude, and cheered on his mates and waited his turn, and is now taking advantage of it.
I can't wait to see more of these two play together, and develop into a great backcourt tandem.

 

Sergio does play better with the backup squad and Bayless plays better with Roy. Then Bayless can bring the ball up the court and give it to Roy and play off of him. So starting Bayless makes sense.

 

Roy has said from day one of summer league that he thought Bayless was the man to play next to him.

It would be great to make the playoffs, but this is still an evaluation year. It would be nice to see Nate go to Bayless and tell him he is the starter and the big minute guy until Blake comes back. Let him know that even with some mistakes he's gonna play. Maybe that would lossen him up a bit?

 

It would be great to see Nate give an endorsement like that and you're right, it would loosen Bayless up but for some reason I dont think Nate will do it. Its scary to think that there is even more room for Bayless to loosen up cuz if there and and he gets really comfortable with the first team ... wow.

 

Bayless <3's Roy

 

This was the money quote from that article:

That pretty much confirms everything I had suspected about the young guy up to this point ... if he really has turned a corner and plays more relaxed down the stretch this kid could have a helluva second half of the season.