The why didn't Bayless do that here thread

This can also be used for any "if Bayless had only done that here" comments.

This will happen throughout the season, so I figured I would give everyone a thread to use for it. Bayless will have the collar removed from his neck, and probably put up better numbers than here. It's not his fault, and it's not even Nate's fault. Just two totally different styles

 

It's not just conflicting styles -- though it is a huge part -- there were just too many guards here with better claims to playing time whether because of experience, skillset or salary).

Hopefully he gets a better run in NO

 

My gut tells me we might end up regretting this deal. I think Bayless in the right system can be a heckuva player.

 

If NO plays reasonably well, turning Bayless into a 20 something draft pick is a poor move IMO. On the other hand, if they use the NO pick to land a star player at the deadline, it is a solid trade.

Top 7 protected to top 8 protected to 2 second rounders scares me

 

It should be interesting to see how he does.

 

why would it be a poor move? odds are very good that bayless will end up with better numbers in NO than he averaged here because of a number of factors but most importantly playing time. face it, he was the 5th best guard here and that is all he was going to be, at least for this season and probably next as well. so this thread will consist of a lot of hand wringing and jermaine o'neal comparisions but bayless wasn't going to put up those kind of numbers here.

 

I think he'll do well. Monty knows how to use him.

 

I just want people to publicly declare whether they were for or against the trade, so if he blows up we can look back here when people complain ala Jermaine O'Neal.

 

AGAINST. When Miller and Rudy are both gone next season, people will wish we still had Jerryd. Or if Nate doesn't get us out of the first round again, and is replaced by a more uptempo coach peopel will miss Jerryd.

That being said, this could turn out great if the Blazers can parlay that pick into a star PG

 

So you're saying Nate doesn't know how to use his players?

 

Against it

 

My anwer is complicated (as usual). In favor, because of the current situation with the Blazers backcourt and because Jerryd apparently wanted out and deserves a better opportunity. Against, because I think in a different offense, with less crowding of the roster I think he could have been valuable as a "Microwave" type player eventually -- essentially acting in a sixth man role when his game fully matured.

Is that a cop-out? Maybe, but I don't really care.

 

I said in a previous post that this is pretty much a "whatever" move for me. Pretty tough to say whether I'm for or against it without knowing for sure what the Blazers get back out of the deal. I understand the Blazers' reasons for making the deal and I think it's in Jerryd's best interests as he simply wasn't going to get PT here this year. As far as his skills go, I think he's going to be one of those players who has a good career and will occasionally put up some big numbers. Unless he develops his outside shot, he's always going to struggle offensively against teams that have good interior defenders.

 

Against it. I didn't see him being the 5th best guard on the team as we all know Rudy won't be here long. And if Matthews is such a great backup 'ball handler' (I don't view him any more of a PG than bayless), him and Bayless would have been a fine off-the-bench combo.

 

STRONGLY FOR the trade.

 

I think Bayless will be a player that I actually hope goes on to become a star elsewhere. He busted his butt while he was here. He did everything that was asked of him. He never complained openly about playing time (to my knowledge). I really hope he goes on to have a breakout season.

I didn't feel that way about Sergio.
I didn't feel that way about Jermaine.
I didn't feel that way about Zach.
I won't feel that way about Rudy.

 

Absolutely against it.

Other then Roy no one was better at drawing fouls.
On a team that plays as slowly as Portland does, that is worth it's weight in gold.

In addition, they did it to open up more time for a malcontent who doesn't even want to be on the team and will bail as soon as he can.

I hope Armon Johnson is as good as folks say he is because you are looking at the only actual point guard other then Miller on the roster.

 

I am not sure if JB will be a star - but he has the potential in the right situation. NOH might be the right situation - he gets to play SG mostly next to a great setup guy like CP3. Will be interesting to see if Monte can get these guys to play fast - because they were very slow, pace wise, in previous years.

 

I think Jerryd is one of those guys that really needs to be on the court to work through his problems. He never got the consistent minutes to develop here. I truly think he has the skills and the drive to be a successful guard in the NBA. Does that mean he'll be an All-Star? Maybe. I don't think Jerryd is a top-10 player, but he could easily be on the better starting guards in the league.