I am not terribly concerned that he may get upset, but I don't think that he's anything like Cunningham. Bayless was a lottery pick that dominated summer league before his rookie season. Cunningham is a second rounder that was merely above-average in summer league. Dante's lucky to have a job in the NBA, and I would be shocked if he has the same expectations of minutes that Bayless does. Ed O.
Yep. Injuries happen in the NBA. Somebody between Miller, Blake, Rudy and Roy will miss games in the coming month or so. That's when his chance comes. He knows it as well as anyone. That's life when you are the 5th guard.
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/players/index.jsp?player=patrick_mills NBA Las Vegas Summer League, Patrick Mills, 0 games played From the Oregonian-http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2009/10/trail_blazers_sign_guard_patty.html Relevant Part- "Mills, who fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during an NBA Summer League practice session on July 9, underwent successful surgery on July 13 and is continuing his rehabilitation on schedule." The Blazers 1st Summer League game was on July 13. I'll accept your apology in the form 'I'm a little teapot', typed out for my amusement.
I deleted it because it was wrong. However, if I can be serious for a moment. Mills is a PG and when he played against Oregon those last two years, he was clearly the best player on the court. He did well in the Olympics and is a natural PG. Bayless is a SG we're trying to convert to PG. Very few can make the transition and he doesn't seem to be making it. I think the team is trying to commit to Mills as a future PG. I think what Bayless will end up doing for us is up in the air. In 2 or 3 more years I could potentially see Bayless as a reserve player if Rudy leaves, but otherwise, he probably should be traded to a team where he can get some minutes like Channing. I still don't see much of a career for Bayless, but really don't see one for him here.
Fairer, at least. Telfair was considered a reach by many in the draft, and never really dominated a Summer League, as far as I can recall. Bayless probably surprised a few people that he dropped so far, and was clearly the best player in SL. Still, though, yeah...Telfair is probably the closest comparable player I can think of. God, I would've killed to have had either Bayless or Rudy back when Telfair was a starter.
That must have been some kind of neat trick, since he broke his foot the first practice and didn't play in Vegas Summer League.
This team is built to win now; player development is secondary. Three years ago, I'd be bitching and moaning like others in here for Jerryd to get some floor time, but we're in a different stage. If and when we have a game with garbage time, then I'm fine with Bayless getting some run. If we have injuries, then he can play. If we have foul trouble at the point, then bring him on. Until then, however, he sits until he shows he's more productive than Blake, Miller or Fernandez. For the record, I expect his talent to force Nate to change the rotation. Perhaps some time next year.
He sure looks like it to me when he plays. I guess the bottom line is that I'd be very surprised if Bayless ends up our #2 PG (barring some injuries) and also surprised if he remains with the team past next season. But, he is a hard worker and Terry Porter becam a PG, so maybe he will- I just don't see it.
