Bayless needs a little burn

[Blazinaway]

Given the overall poor play from both PG's, especially Blake, I 'd like to see Bayless get a few chances and see what he can do with it. I can't see how he can be less effective than the non existent Blake.

[jhern87]

I agree. Not because I think Bayless is the better player but Blake needs a kick in the butt. His defense has been horendous and his offense has been non existant. So what's he really good for? Atleast Bayless will play with some fire and intensity. Bring em in.

[JD45]

While I agree, i think there is zero chance Nate does it.

Blake is his guy and Miler was his free agent choice.

[Village Idiot]

I agree. Bayless has all the tools to suceed. He isn't a pure point but he's a talented, athletic, smart guy with drive. He'll make it in this leauge. Hopefully here in Portland. Might as well give him his shot now. When Blake can't shoot he's worthless.

[jeffhardyfan52]

I agree. Bayless has all the tools to suceed. He isn't a pure point but he's a talented, athletic, smart guy with drive. He'll make it in this leauge. Hopefully here in Portland. Might as well give him his shot now. When Blake can't shoot he's worthless.

[Norm2953]

If Bayless would show the coach a more physical approach to the game and
not worry about scoring, he'd get some play but he like the rest of the team
is more concerned about scoring points.

[Soulyss]

If Bayless would show the coach a more physical approach to the game and
not worry about scoring, he'd get some play but he like the rest of the team
is more concerned about scoring points.

Bayless has a tendancy to commit a lot of hand-checking fouls, which gets him out of the game faster than oden.... That said, he's definately got the tools to be a premo-defender, but lacks the experience...

I still think some sort of major trade is going to happen before the deadline...

[mojomarc]

Bayless might have all the tools, but seriously guys--he was never a super lockdown defender in college with those tools when he was that much more of an athletic outlier than he is in the NBA, so I have serious doubts that he can ever be what folks around here dream he can be. Hell, DraftExpress listed among his weaknesses prior to the 2008 draft as "ability to defend his position at the next level?" and "ability to fight through screens," both of which should show that he wasn't considered the lockdown super defender that some of you claim he should be. They weren't the only draft board to point out his defensive question marks. Add in that when Bayless did get opportunities last year he was blown by as much as anyone else we have. Bottom line: what has Bayless really demonstrated to make anyone believe he really can be a difference maker in the short term defensively?

[Billy]

I don't even care about the defense, I think that Bayless could at least provide some energy--something that Blake has seriously lacked.

[Fitz303]

Bayless might have all the tools, but seriously guys--he was never a super lockdown defender in college with those tools when he was that much more of an athletic outlier than he is in the NBA, so I have serious doubts that he can ever be what folks around here dream he can be. Hell, DraftExpress listed among his weaknesses prior to the 2008 draft as "ability to defend his position at the next level?" and "ability to fight through screens," both of which should show that he wasn't considered the lockdown super defender that some of you claim he should be. They weren't the only draft board to point out his defensive question marks. Add in that when Bayless did get opportunities last year he was blown by as much as anyone else we have. Bottom line: what has Bayless really demonstrated to make anyone believe he really can be a difference maker in the short term defensively?

Im pretty sure they were implying the idea of him playing the SG position when talking about defending his position at the next level.. they also had this to say about his defense

Defensively, Bayless shows a lot of potential, not just with his tools, but with the commitment he’s displayed to competing on this end of the floor. He has excellent lateral quickness, clearly having received some solid coaching on this part of his game early on his career. His awareness isn’t always the best (looking a bit lost trying to find his man in transition for example), and he lacks some strength to get through screens defending the pick and roll at times—taking too wide an angle to avoid contact, but considering his age and huge offensive role on the team, it’s hard to nitpick too much here.

There is a caveat, though, as considering his size, he’d almost certainly be better off guarding point guards than shooting guards, which again brings up the fact that he’ll need to be drafted by the right team (with the right guard next to him) to really reach his full potential.

Bottom line, he has shown a much better ability to score points, and easy points at that, while flashing much more potential than Blake on the defensive end. I dont think theres any chance they play him more minutes unless Blake is moved in a package for an upgrade at SF, but Bayless is going to be a hell of a player, once he is given the chance

[jeffhardyfan52]

bayless will be just like jermaine o'neal in terms of being wasted here and traded to a team and becomes an all star

[mojomarc]

While I agree he has potential, Fitz, players who play PG in the NBA but can't fight through screens don't become stud defenders because even the most rudimentary offense in the league (Nate's ) sets screens for PGs to fight through.

As far as his offense, I was never questioning the potential on that end. I only question the assumption by a lot of people that I've heard since shortly after we drafted him that he will be a lock down defender in the NBA at any position.

[Blazinaway]

one thing no one has mentioned is "attitude', we need a couple of players who have a bit of an attitude and can provide a spark that I think is very much needed. This team seems like its going thru the motions too much of the time.

[Agenda42]

I wonder if Jerryd has improved his defense enough to be useful. The Blazers have gotten just crushed by penetration from opposing PGs. Jerryd has the athleticism to stop this, but I don't know if he's ready to roll yet.

[Rimshot]

Bayless won't be able to learn and get better on his game the more he is being wasted and not used.

On another note, I think there is something he has to show in practice in order to make Nate feel comfortable giving him significant minutes.