Well, it's fairly obvious to me that the scouting report is out on Bayless. Virtually every time he brings the ball up now it's pressure, trap, and more pressure. Kid really needs work on handling the ball when pressure arrives. He also needs plenty of work on learning to dribble the ball facing his opponent. Also, passing the ball before he gets into these mini-jams.....which are becoming more frequent. Certainly, Sergio is relatively accomplished in these facets. It's no wonder to me that Nate has had to resort to having Roy handle PG duties when he's in there with Jerryd. Until Bayless gets over this particular hump, it will continue to be that way. At least that's the way I see it. There, MARIS, I said it.
It's just that the moment he comes into games, it's instant pressure/trap time. There's a reason for that.
Bayless didn't play well, imo. Only thing I really liked was that again he got tot he line, this time 4 times in 15 minutes.
Bringing the ball up the court under pressure is just one aspect of Bayless' game he needs to develop if he wants to make it as a PG in this league. I think a bigger concern is Bayless learning to run the offense in the half court set. As soon as Bayless brings the ball up court he immediately passes it off (usally to Roy). It will be interesting to see if Bayless can develop into an NBA PG, but as I was saying iun summer league . . . it won't be easy. And this idea of Bayless taking over as starting PG by midseason (popular thought during summer league) was expecting way too much from Bayless.
I just want Bayless to keep getting minutes even when Blake comes back. I think Bayless is still our future PG and want he a chance to develop as fast as possible.
I think Bayless could take over TO or maybe even Rudy's role as scorer off the bench when the Blazers need points. I guess it depends on the opponests, but if Nate needs someone to attack the basket . . . it's Bayless or Outlaw.
He's a rookie and young rookie at that. I agree he has work to do, but if there is anybody on this team with the raw physical tools coupled with a dogged work ethic it's Bayless and I have pretty high level of confidence that this will come to him in time (just like being able to run the offense). I've maintained that we shouldn't be too critical of any player who isn't old enough to drink.
