Bayless stays fit, faithful while waiting for his chance to play

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/bayless_stays_fit_faithful_whi.html

I really hope Bayless doesn't get wasted.

 

I hope he works his ass off till he can't sit down. He needs to work harder then he ever has in his life. If I was him, I would be pissed that Steve Blake and Sergio Rodriguez are ahead of him. He needs to use that anger and stomp them out in practice.

 

I don't know, if I had to ride the pine after being the man my whole athletic career I'd probably go out and buy a fifth of scotch and get wasted immediately

 

Point well taken.

 

He shouldn't worry about it much. Sergio will undoubtably end up pissing McMillan off with his turnovers and D; McMillan will respond by sending Bayless out. The worst thing he can do is get pissed about it and become vocal. It's the NBA and best of the best. Being good in college doesnt mean that you will be great with the pros.

 

On a more serious note, It's good to hear that Jerryd is adopting the approach that he is, he's got a lot to learn and the fact that he already has defensive chops probably makes him the perfect candidate to be tutored by "Mister Defensive Point Guard himself," Nate.

The guy has too much athletic ability, too much will, and too much talent (albeit being a distributor is not yet amongst that list) to be denied.

I'm anxious to see how the situation at point plays itself out over the year.

 

It seems like he has the most trouble with adopting Nate's game plan, and though he seems to be a willing passer, he has trouble making the right decisions a lot of the times. Hopefully, his game progresses enough for Nate to give him him minutes later in the season.

Let's put it this way, I'm not hoping for any injuries to Blake or Sergio, but I won't care if one of them gets injured.

 

Bayless is not ready. Sergio is. Nate may get pissed at Sergio at some point, but he will at Bayless too. It may work out for the best if he is brought along slowly. I have no doubt he will be a great PG. Eventually. He needs time.

 

Two years ago, Bayless would probably be starting and would be thrown into the fire immediately.
This year, this team is ready to win every night. 19-year-old rookies need to earn their PT, but eventually this season, I see Jerryd being a big rotation player. He just needs a little bit of time.

 

So I'm curious what people want to see happen at the point?

1. Sergio keeps improving, Bayless finally puts it all together and Blake becomes expendable?
2. Blake goes off solidifies his ability to be a decent starter quality point, Sergio plays just OK, and Bayless takes over the second spot
3. Blake and Sergio solidify their spots and Bayless becomes tradebait
4. Everyone stinks it up and it becomes clear that we need to trade for a starting quality point.

Personally I'm rooting for whatever makes us a better team, but I have to admit that it would be nice to see Sergio continue to improve and become at least a decent defender and semi-reliable shooter, and I'd like to see Bayless become a good enough passer to see the floor as a regular rotation guy; I think they could provide us with some nice different looks ... provided they both pan out.

 

After we struggle through this first month of the season, Nate will be throwing him out there to see if he can help.

 

That doesn't really sound like Nate.

 

What do you mean?

 

Does Nate seem like the guy who'd give more burn to the rookies if we start off bad? He's a no nonsense type of guy, so why would he play the rookies who are likely to make a bunch of mistakes after not being in the rotation for the first month? Nate's patient, and he'd most likely rely more on his veterans to carry the team after a bad start. Like when we started off really rough last year, Nate started relying on our leaders/veterans.

 

I have a feeling Sergio will hit a bad spell and struggle. He likes Bayless' work ethic, hustle and fire. He is a rookie, but I have no problem in believing Nate would put Bayless out there if needed.

 

I agree with the bold. Probably the best thing is both Blake and Sergio plays well and Bayless sees little time this year. That probably won't happen, but it'd be nice for the team. Then eventually he'd replace Blake if Sergio keeps improving.

 

Don't forget but Bayless is only a rookie. If he doesn't play much this season it doesn't mean he's a bust.

I think once Outlaw is traded that will open up an opportunity for Bayless with the second unit. His specialty is scoring and defense. I think once Nate gets comfortable with him he'll get his chance to guard some of the better PGs in the league when Nate wants to apply some defensive pressure.

 

I think that in Rudy/Bayless we have a repeat of the '06 Roy/Aldridge case. Rudy, like Roy was, is ready, he is rookie technically, but that's where it ends. Bayless has tons of talent and a manic work ethic, reminds you of someone? Nate will make him win his moments. At some point he will get plenty of burn because of injury issues - and one of the other point guards will be moved to give him more time at the trade deadline or over the summer.

Greg is so unique that he will get his minutes despite the fact that he is still a rookie...