Yes, 12 fouls between the two bigs, use them before you run small ball. Their shot blocking and rebounding are needed. I definitely agree that Miller's shot looks like crap. I also thought Nate would have at least tried Bayless for a few minutes by now.
"Bayless could be just the shot in the arm this team needs" to quote *shudder* Jason Quick. I liked what I saw of Bayless in the pre-season. You know it's crazy but I feel like the Pre-Season refs actually called the game better in regard to big men. Maybe that's just my deluded memory.
Last season at some point. I'm sure you could google it. Edit: Found it - http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/12/is_jerryd_bayless_the_shot_in.html
Oh. I was thinking it was something from today or recently. Something said about Bayless last season before Andre Miller was added to this team doesn't seem especially relevant to the current situation -- that is to say I sort of doubt Quick feels the same way (or who knows, maybe he does?). EDIT: I do find it hilarious to read that article however, it's like deja vu all over again.
As long as McMillan is the coach Bayless will be stuck on the bench. As long as Pritchard professes his man-love for Blake, Bayless will never get off the bench. He's a lost cause in Portland and a wasted talent.
Bayless is just not a point guard. As evident tonight - he can't dribble the ball! He truly can penetrate - but outside of that, he can't play PG. We have Roy, Rudy and Webster - all who play off-guard - so what is the point hanging on to Bayless?
Bayless has some skills that are superior: his ability to get to the rack and his ability to draw fouls. I am not convinced he will be a PG, but I think there's still a pretty good chance that he could evolve into one. If he can play the PG spot defensively, that would be enough for him to flourish with this team. Ed O.
Remeber Bayless hasn't played all year. You could see him pressing a little. Give him a couple of games to settle down. Personally I like what I see and think he's the perfect compliment to Roy at PG in about 2 years.
This pretty much echoes my thoughts about him at this point ... that said it's possible he could become at least passable at the position, never a CP3 or a pure playmaker, but he's got the work ethic if not the vision. I'd like to say time will tell, but I'm guessing time will see him gone.
In a lineup with another combo guard like Rudy or Roy, I think Bayless can shine. He's a *ahem* Miller Lite. If we can prove Miller and Roy can co-exist, then it's easier to presume that Bayless can co-exist with Roy.
I could see that, and maybe eventually make Roy the PG who brings the ball up, while Jerryd is just Jerryd and plays off the ball, or both could bring the ball up. I'd love to see a lineup with Roy, Jerryd and Rudy at the same time with LA and Greg down low. I liked what Jerryd brought tonight, and he'll be a good player in this league eventually.
I wasn't sure if Bayless could handle his role on this team, given his history of basically being the best player on every team he's played for, and his intense personality. But even after 5 DNP-CD's, he came out tonight and brought it. In 5 minutes he got to the line I think 4 times? I was very encouraged by what I saw from Bayless tonight, and in the future I do think he will be a great fit next to Roy. Remember this kid supposedly made 30 NBA 3's in a row in one of his pre-draft workout. He CAN shoot, and I think the more he plays the more his FG% will climb.
