How many of you feel more comfortable with Jerryd as a point guard now than before summer league? How many of you feel he has a future at this position? What about his play in summer league makes you feel that he does or does not have a future as a point guard? Next, if he never makes it as a point guard. How good of a player is he really? Does he have enough offense or talent to be a guy that plays the position very similar to the way Monta Ellis plays it? Or is he more of a poor mans Monta? More of a Antonio Daniels type with less athleticism but a better shot. The way I look at it is Jerryd is showing no signs of being that guy as a one. He has proven that he is more of an undersized two. So if that is indeed the case. How valuable is he really to us? And even more. How good of a player will he ever be as an undersized two? Furthermore, is this a project we want to spend anymore time on? There are risks involved here. Thoughts?
HE STINKS AND I HOPE HE IS TRADED TODAY. BUT KP DOESNT KNOW HOW TO MAKE A FAIR TRADE SO HE WILL BE ON THE BENCH POUTING IF U NEED HIM
All summer league did for me regarding Bayless was show me that he is working at completely changing how he plays so he can become a PG. Results were not important. I don't know if he will every succeed, but knowing that he is as big a gym rat as any player in the NBA, I think he stands a very good chance. I actually think by the end of this season, people will be changing their tune. He only had one year NCAA, playing SG, then last year was a rookie in the NBA. Give him more time. Especially at the PG position. People here give up on players way too early.
I see Bayless' ceiling as Vinnie "microwave" Johnson. (ie - 3rd guard and important reserve on a contender) Sadly, I don't believe it will be in Portland.
Has he shown any natural ability to play the position God? I mean if the reports are true and he has spent 85 percent of his life playing as a point guard. Shouldn't there be some evidence of that on the floor?
VINNIE JOHNSON HAHHAHAH BAYLESS WISHES HE COULD HAVE HALF THE CARRER JOHNSON HAD. BAYLESS BELONGS IN THE D LEAGUE.
Roy has above average court vision and passing for a shooting guard. Bayless may have below average court vision and passing for a point guard. I'm not convinced that each player needs to be the platonic version of their position, so long as the "right amounts" of passing, scoring, rebounding and defense are there. In terms of court vision and passing, if Roy's above-average-ness at his position makes up for Bayless' below-average-ness at his, that seems like a fine model to work with. I think distribution of "point guard" duties over both guards can work fine. Neither Bayless or Roy may be ideal point guards, but if they can both play-make to some extent, I'm willing to believe that that will be equivalent to the "traditional" model of a point guard who largely handles all the play-making duties and a shooting guard who doesn't do much distribution. I don't think who specifically does what is the key. I think the key is that the team, overall, has all the things it needs. In an extreme case, if the team gets 10 RPG from its shooting guard and its power forward gets 4 RPG, I don't think that's a problem--all that matters is that the team gets all the rebounding it needs. In the case of the Blazers, I think the team will get all the passing it needs, as Bayless and Roy are probably at least average for NBA backcourts in terms of passing and Aldridge and Oden are probably above average for NBA front courts in terms of passing. Not having a classic point guard doesn't seem like a major issue. As far as I'm concerned, the guard who plays alongside Roy would ideally have the following qualities: 1. Defends point guards well 2. Knocks down shots from the perimeter at a good clip 3. Slashes to the basket and finishes/draws fouls 4. Dishes to teammates when defense collapses on his drives All of these things I believe Bayless is capable of. He has the tools and desire to be a good defender, he shot the ball well outside his sporadic playing-time rookie season, he showed an elite ability to get to the hoop and draw fouls even in his otherwise poor rookie season. I think he showed the passing ability in college and in summer league to find teammates off defensive attention he draws. He doesn't have the passing skill/court vision to initiate the offense on the wing or at the top of the key, but I don't think Portland needs that out of him.
So why Andre Miller then? If you don't think Portland needs him to initiate the offense EVER? Why Andre Miller this year and next?
Because point guard was their weakest position and he was the best point guard available. I don't think a traditional point guard is a bad thing, just not necessary. In addition, it appears that McMillan actually wants to play Miller off the bench to play more with Rudy. It's not a decision I necessarily agree with, but seems to fall in line with not feeling a need to pair a traditional point guard with Roy.
So, according to you, Bayless stinks. Alright, let's go with that. Also according to you KP doesn't know how to make a fair trade? So, you want KP to be able to make a fair trade, yes? So, judging by your words, you want Jerryd to be traded, but don't think our GM is capable of making a fair trade, BUT you say Bayless is crap. So, by your logic, wouldn't a fair trade for Bayless get us crap in return?
The reason why I was most excited about adding Miller, and the reason why I believe a true point guard is crucial to the advancement of this team, is Greg mother fucking Oden. Brandon Roy may be the star of this team, but our championship hopes are on the shoulders of our young center. This team needs a true distributor to get Greg the ball when he's open.
DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A WNNER!!!! im going to take a wild guess and say you have played basketball before. someome making some sense. my is day made!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree on the importance of Oden, and of getting him the ball when he is in position (one foot in the paint). Where I have to part ways with you and agree with Minstrel, is on the lack of a need for a traditional pg. I am FAR from sold on Bayless, but the theory behind having him on the floor with Roy makes sense on paper. Only time will tell if Bayless works with Roy. That is assuming of course, that he gets the time on the court he needs to flourish. I'm not sure Nate will give him that time when Roy, Rudy, Miller and Blake are all assuredly ahead of him. If KP really believes in Bayless I think he might have to trade Blake for Bayless to see the floor. Even then I'm not sure Nate would give him minutes other then in garbage time. Oden must be fed the ball in order to see the kind of growth we need out of him. His development is what our championship hopes rest on. He needs to be at least a moderate threat on offense (3rd or at worst 4th option) if we want to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. I think between Miller and Rudy that Oden will get his touches. If he doesn't I will be very worried indeed.
I liked Bayless before summer league, and I like him now. This summer the team asked Jerry to work on getting people more involved during summer league. Well, last year Bayless had a total of 4 assists, and this year he averaged that number. I think that speaks a lot to how hard he worked at it. Also keep in mind that Portland's offense is set up to give guys jump shots, and there weren't many shooters on the summer league team to help those assist numbers.
