Blake to return to practice

[BrianFromWA]

Not true, I saw Oden fed by Blake plenty of times as he dunked over Frye this summer.

 

[MARIS61]

his problem is adjusting to be a play-maker next to other good players - but he will make that adjustment - it is just a question of time and experience.

Bayless just needs to make an "Adjustment" to be a play-maker?

I guess I just need to make an "Adjustment " to be a world class surfer, a Nasa test pilot, and a heart surgeon.

Effective floor generals are extremely rare beings and Bayless would have to become a totally opposite person from the one he has been all his life. He sees the game as a match of himself against his opponent. He views his teammates as obstacles to dribble around on his way to score. He is a SG first, last, and always.

 

[MARIS61]

Not true, I saw Oden fed by Blake plenty of times as he dunked over Frye this summer.

 

[MARIS61]

All this better suited for blah blah blah talk is utter BS. The simple truth right now is that Blake > Sergio > Bayless. Anybody that says different is trying to make themselves feel better about the player they like.

The simple truth right now is that Sergio > Blake > Bayless. Anybody that says different is trying to make themselves feel better about the player they like.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The simple truth right now is that Sergio > Blake > Bayless. Anybody that says different is trying to make themselves feel better about the player they like.

Maris, it's this kind of post that makes people stop taking you seriously. C'mon, let's get real, Sergio is looking improved, but he's still been sloppy with the ball (unforced turnovers) and hasn't been able to feed Greg the ball quickly enough on the low block -- although he's definitely shown he's worthy of the backup spot. And I while I no longer cringe every time he's running the show, the guy still has a LOOOOOONNNGGGG ways to go before I'd annoint him the starting PG. There's more to being an NBA starting caliber point guard than court vision and passing (though those are both a good place to start).

 

[maxiep]

What about PT for Bayless. Some people had him pegged as our starter before camp started!

I think he'll eventually be the starter, but first he has to adjust to the game and then re-adjust as other teams adjust to him. That process should take most of the year.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Blake has never shown any ability to consistently feed Oden the ball in a position where he is an offensive asset either

And how do you know that? Did you watch the summer games where they played together? It is true they haven't played together in pre-season (obviously) so the only thing we can go on are the games they played in practice together which were largely closed to the public.

However, I think the fact that it Blake was first team and Nate has commented about how things will likely run better with Blake back says a lot for how he works with the rest of the guys. Perhaps Sergio will get there at some point but he is not yet the match of Blake. Sergio may be more exciting and occasionally post astounding numbers but I don't believe he is ready to lead yet (although he is more so than Bayless).

Gramps...

 

[MrJayremmie]

Unless something changes (from the games I watched) there isn't much to debate.

1) Blake will start and likely play in parallel with Oden because the other two can't figure out how to get Oden the ball.

2) Sergio can run the team (aside from #1), Bayless tries, but pounds the ball and can't see it. Sergio is the backup.

3) Bayless will not get major PG minutes without Roy or Rudy by his side until he can make quicker decisions in running the team. Until then he is a backup SG.

I agree.

I still think that in the long run Bayless will win the starting PG spot. He is still a rookie and not ready - but it will come. When Sergio was upset - it made his game worse - I suspect that the opposite will happen to Bayless when he is upset that his minutes are down. He will work his ass-off and will get there - he has the tools that Sergio never had - above average athletic ability and a defensive pest mind-set. He is also a better shooter than Sergio - his problem is adjusting to be a play-maker next to other good players - but he will make that adjustment - it is just a question of time and experience.

The interesting question, long term, imho - is if Sergio has done enough to be the team's long-term backup PG or if Blake will continue to be a Blazer when Bayless is ready to start (probably a year or two in the future).

Agree.

Blake Starting with Sergio backing him up, I think, gives us the best chance to win. And I think that is the line-up we should go with. Bayless will have chances to earn his time throughout the year. He will be fine. This will make him even better.

I'm really happy for Sergio though. And I cannot WAIT for Blake to get back. This guy compliments our line-up perfectly.

Throughout the summer, the talk was about how well Blake was working with Oden.

 

[azsun67]

I think for Bayless to come in and naturally be able to feed the ball to Oden in the post is a dream. I am pretty sure Bayless has always been the best player on his team so the plays were designed to get Bayless the ball where he wanted it, not dumping it into a big man who couldn't score if he wanted to. I fell Bayless will learn what he has to do. Remember that learning the PG position in the NBA is the hardest position to learn. I am sure it makes it harder since he truely isnt a PG, but a combo guard.

 

[hasoos]

I am just really happy that Sergio came ready to play this year. I had completely written him off after last year, but am more than happy to be wrong about it!

If you look at last year, and Jack playing, (Don't get me wrong, Jack played really hard for the Blazers, and I will give him a good ovation when he plays in Portland with his new team this year), but he was just one of those players that would lose you a game, or 10.

Now the Blazers will have 2 legitimate PG and the Multifaceted Roy to handle the ball, and I figure that will give the Blazers a few more marks in the W column.

 

[LittleAlex]

Sergio has played pretty well in 4 preseason games, but poorly all of last year. Bayless hasn't played well in any preseason games, and was not in the NBA last year. Blake hasn't played in any preseason games, but played pretty well all of last year. Considering this, I would have to say Blake should start. Maybe someday other guys will take that from him, but it hasn't happened yet.

As for entry passes to Oden, neither Sergio or Bayless have done will in this regard. If Blake is even average he will be better then both.

Besides all of the above, Blake is one Nate likes. Though I may sometimes feel differently, I have to believe a man who was a good PG in the league for over a decade is a better judge of that position then I am.