I enjoyed this game. Of course, this was the first one I have seen in, like, forever. But, anyway, it was a nice game and it was nice to see JB getting the run. This season can still be saved, if we get JB development minutes, and get Nic and Outlaw a little later in the year to add some depth. Not likely to go deep in the playoffs if we make it - without Oden, but there is some hope.
It was definitely a bigger performance, but to that point there was virtually no scouting report on him and he pretty much scored on nothing but drives. Tonight was different for a couple of reasons. First, Nate had the option of putting in a more veteran guy like Miller, in NJ Blake was out with injury, Secondly, I actually saw Jerryd playing point guard out there tonight, not just Corey Maggette Junior.
Because he was the finisher tonight. He scored 10 of his 14th in the 4th, and he iced the game by scoring the final 6 teams points. Bayless was the money man tonight.
A) Bayless was in backup role tonight. B) There was a ton of pressure. He was one of only two point guards on the team. C) That game versus the Nets showed he deserved a minutes bump THEN. And he had an even greater crunch time effort in that game. I remember everyone in here assuming that Steve Blake would no longer start after that game. Read Bayless' quotes in that article. That was his breakout game.
Ummmm.... he was the finisher in that game too. He had what was essentially the game winning dunk and he drained a ton of free throws.
Bayless scored 11 of his 23 points in the 4th quarter of the game in New Jersey. It was a completely more impressive performance than what he did to tonight at home against the Kings.
I guess it depends on the definition of "breakout game". If the definition is that he's going to breakout of the limited minutes position he has been in and get a larger role on this team...I hope this IS his breakout game.
Well I'm scared for Bayless. If Blake or Miller isn't gone by the time Rudy comes back, does Bayless go back to playing 10 minutes a night?
Well, the fact of the matter is.... he's not really. It will all depend on how well Miller and Blake are playing and once Rudy comes back, if there are no trades, Bayless will see less minutes. Structural changes have to happen to this team for Bayless to get a larger role.
My point is that we've seen what Bayless can do and we've known what Bayless can do since that New Jersey game. Nothing changed tonight.
Tonight in 1 game, Bayless attempted 10 free throws. Through tonights game, Steve Blake had attempted 23 free throws for the whole year.
His play could and hopefully will give KP/Nate the confidence to make the move you mention. It has as much to do with how Bayless is playing as how Miller and Blake are playing. He had a larger role tonight!
Until people start trickling back in from injury ... Whatever happens roster consolidation is well past due.
It's a step closer to the end game I want. I want the 3 guard rotations of Roy, Bayless and Fernandez. No other guard plays a single minute unless there is serious foul trouble. That way each guard gets a tons of minutes, each guard shares the PG duties so they are happy with playmaking opportunities, and each guard is a capable scorer who can finish on the break. All guards have a fair amount of size. Bayless and Rudy defend the 1's. Rudy and Roy defend the 2's.
I say we deal with that then. Look at the Magic. Nelson got hurt so they traded for Alston and made the damn NBA Finals! Then they sent Alston packing!
I'm board for that. Still need Blake though cuz you gotta have 12 players and he's good to have just in case.
