Blazers sold on Bayless as PG of the future

[Fez Hammersticks]

Because while fans have debated over how Portland could land a lottery-caliber point guard in this month's NBA Draft, or speculated about trades and free agent signings that could anchor their long-term future at that position, the Blazers have quietly invested their confidence in Bayless and structured their summer plans to start refining the raw rookie into their future point guard.

It started this week, when teammate Greg Oden joined Bayless in Phoenix so the two could work out together and start developing their chemistry. And it will continue during next month's summer league, when Blazers coach Nate McMillan expects Bayless to run the team as its full-time point guard

And so the challenge has begun. Bayless will be given every chance to prove what he so firmly believes of himself. And while fans toss around their ideas for who would be the right point guard to lead the franchise into its championship window, the Blazers will be watching Bayless intently all summer, wondering if he is the answer

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If this is true I wonder who they are trying to trade up for? My guess would be Jordan Hill or Dejuan Blair.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

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If this is true I wonder who they are trying to trade up for? My guess would be Jordan Hill or Dejuan Blair.

Maybe, but I wouldn't rule out PG either. We'll still need to add a 3rd PG to this team assuming Sergio's gone. It would be good to have more competition on the team for the back up PG spot.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Maybe, but I wouldn't rule out PG either. We'll still need to add a 3rd PG to this team assuming Sergio's gone. It would be good to have more competition on the team for the back up PG spot.

If thats the case (which I think it is) then if we draft a PG for 3rd string then they should be the highest risk/rewards option available. Why not take the chance in that scenario?

 

[SodaPopinski]

Who says the Blazers are trying to trade up in the draft?

-Pop

 

[Iwatas]

If Bayless just gets the pick-and-roll with Oden down cold, he will be effective enough. Even if he never really gets the nose for passing the ball than a true PG has (which he won't).

iWatas

 

[Boise Blazer]

Who says the Blazers are trying to trade up in the draft?

-Pop

You are familiar with our GM right?

Im not saying he is but I can pretty much guarantee that he has asked teams about trading up options.

 

[Cake]

Who says the Blazers are trying to trade up in the draft?

-Pop

Blazers scout Chad Buchanan for one...

From Blazers Edge:

When asked today whether the player that the team would be interested in targeting would be available at #24, Buchanan said "probably not" and indicated that the Blazers, if need be, would "use our resources to move up" to attain a targeted player. Obviously he didn't give any indication about who that player might be but it was interesting to hear this early and this emphatically that trading up was likely. Obviously the Blazers have the assets to facilitate such a move (2nd round picks, cash, small contract players); but it's nice to hear from someone actively involved on draft day that such a movement is already being seriously considered.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/12/873570/draft-workouts-report

 

[ODENISGOD]

bayless is NOT a point guard!!!!! He reminds me of a kid I played college basketball with. He has tunnel vision! He just does not see the floor. And I don't think its something you can teach. I'm not saying he can't be a good player but he is 100% NOT a point guard.

 

[ODENISGOD]

Blazers scout Chad Buchanan for one...

From Blazers Edge:

When asked today whether the player that the team would be interested in targeting would be available at #24, Buchanan said "probably not" and indicated that the Blazers, if need be, would "use our resources to move up" to attain a targeted player. Obviously he didn't give any indication about who that player might be but it was interesting to hear this early and this emphatically that trading up was likely. Obviously the Blazers have the assets to facilitate such a move (2nd round picks, cash, small contract players); but it's nice to hear from someone actively involved on draft day that such a movement is already being seriously considered.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/12/873570/draft-workouts-report

The Blazers would have to be mentally challenged to draft another Rookie instead of adding experience.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

If thats the case (which I think it is) then if we draft a PG for 3rd string then they should be the highest risk/rewards option available. Why not take the chance in that scenario?

Which, for me, would be in this order --> Rubio, Flynn, Jennings, Curry, Evans

I'm just not sold on Tyreke's attitude and whether he can be consistant.

 

[Cake]

bayless is NOT a point guard!!!!! He reminds me of a kid I played college basketball with. He has tunnel vision! He just does not see the floor. And I don't think its something you can teach. I'm not saying he can't be a good player but he is 100% NOT a point guard.

I agree that there's no evidence that he's a pure point guard. But at the same time, last summer (and in college for that matter) he was asked to shoulder the load of scoring. He was not really asked to distribute the ball much. I think it's an unknown as to whether he can develop those skills. I would lean toward no, he can't...but there's a chance.

 

[Boise Blazer]

bayless is NOT a point guard!!!!! He reminds me of a kid I played college basketball with. He has tunnel vision! He just does not see the floor. And I don't think its something you can teach. I'm not saying he can't be a good player but he is 100% NOT a point guard.

Tell that Blazers management cuz it sure as hell sounds like they think he is/is going to be. Their track record is pretty good so far I think I will stick with their opinion on this one.

Either way this season will go a long long way towards seeing if he is one way or another.

 

[Cake]

The Blazers would have to be mentally challenged to draft another Rookie instead of adding experience.

meh...maybe. But if they believe that that rookie can step in and contribute better (not to mention for a longer period of time) than any realistically available veteran...they'd have to be mentally challenged to NOT trade up.

And I'd say that the GM and scouts have done a pretty good job over the last 3 years. if they want to trade up, they probably know what they're doing.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You missed the best line

Sebastian Telfair flamed out after two seasons. Jarrett Jack had opportunity plopped in his lap, then threw it into the stands. And now Sergio Rodriguez's future appears to be on the fence as well.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Who says the Blazers are trying to trade up in the draft?

-Pop

Nothing definite I don't think. Just some rumors bantered about. I believe one from another forum by a dude that states he/she is an inside (something about interviewing privately both Curry and Flynn in Chicago). Another from the Bobcat's beat reporter. Then there's that NY rumor, which while it didn't mention a draft pick being involved, logic can assume that their #8 pick would have to be in the discussion.

Oh and I've heard Pritchard mention quite a few times that they're aggressively pursuing moving up, down, or out of the draft.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

The Blazers would have to be mentally challenged to draft another Rookie instead of adding experience.

Why can't they do both?

 

[Boise Blazer]

Why can't they do both?

Not only that, they may have to to plan the roster to work out cap wise over the next few years. They have potentially 4 roster spots to fill (Sergio, Frye, Shav and Ruffin). There is no reason that they cant do both.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

I agree that there's no evidence that he's a pure point guard. But at the same time, last summer (and in college for that matter) he was asked to shoulder the load of scoring. He was not really asked to distribute the ball much. I think it's an unknown as to whether he can develop those skills. I would lean toward no, he can't...but there's a chance.

Got to agree. I'm willing to be patient with him. In college and during the last Summer League his role was shooting guard. We don't know if he can play a more facilitating role.

Having said that Jerryd just doesn't appear or want to set up other players. He seems like the kind of guy that is focused on scoring. But again, that may have been the role given last year.

We'll see. I'm crossing my fingers.

 

[illmatic99]

In my mind, there was no question that JB is the long term PG for this team. The question was always about the short term.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

In my mind, there was no question that JB is the long term PG for this team. The question was always about the short term.

In that case, moving Steve Blake still might make a lot of sense. For instance, bringing in Kirk Hinrich as THIS season's starter would allow Bayless to develop off the bench. When the time comes for Bayless to shine, Hinrich, who has already shown the professionalism to produce from the bench, would easily step aside. Much the same way Joel will have to do for Greg.

 

[PapaG]

Blazers scout Chad Buchanan for one...

From Blazers Edge:

When asked today whether the player that the team would be interested in targeting would be available at #24, Buchanan said "probably not" and indicated that the Blazers, if need be, would "use our resources to move up" to attain a targeted player. Obviously he didn't give any indication about who that player might be but it was interesting to hear this early and this emphatically that trading up was likely. Obviously the Blazers have the assets to facilitate such a move (2nd round picks, cash, small contract players); but it's nice to hear from someone actively involved on draft day that such a movement is already being seriously considered.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/12/873570/draft-workouts-report

I don't see how Buchanan's words give the impression that a trade up for a targeted player is "likely". How does discussing trading up make a trade up "likely"?

 

[RickyRubio]

bayless is NOT a point guard!!!!! He reminds me of a kid I played college basketball with. He has tunnel vision! He just does not see the floor. And I don't think its something you can teach. I'm not saying he can't be a good player but he is 100% NOT a point guard.

We don't need a true point guard. We already have one in Blake and Roy will be handling the ball when Bayless is in for the most part.

We need a scoring PG. Which Bayless is.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

I don't believe this pop psych junk (no offense)
playing PG isn’t rocket science.

I'm not disagreeing with you, because I don't really know. I did read a few years ago this really interesting article that stated the exact opposition. There is something instinctually within some people that allows them to primarily facilitate/orchestrate for others. I've been trying for the past year to find that damn article but it must have been taken off whichever server was home at that time.

Jason Kidd. Steve Nash. Magic Johnson. Scottie Pippen. They had that same similar quality. Some, it just doesn't come naturally for. I don't know maybe that's just bullshit.

It's an intriguing thought though. When at this highest level of play, if a person put in the role of quarterback hesitates for even a moment longer than another person with this innate ability to help others succeed, are they going to be less successful in that role?

 

[PapaG]

In that case, moving Steve Blake still might make a lot of sense. For instance, bringing in Kirk Hinrich as THIS season's starter would allow Bayless to develop off the bench. When the time comes for Bayless to shine, Hinrich, who has already shown the professionalism to produce from the bench, would easily step aside. Much the same way Joel will have to do for Greg.

Kirk Hinrich is signed for ~$9 million/per year over the next 3 years. If Hinrich is brought over, I would hope that it would be as a starter for those 3 years. $9 million is a lot of cash to have tied up for a back-up PG, especially considering that Oden will be needing a new contract before the 3rd year of Hinrich's contract.

 

[Miksaid]

Whether or not we have Bayless shouldn't stop us from getting the best player we possible can, even if that player is a point guard. Otherwise this just reminds me of the time when we placed our trust in Telfair when we had the opportunity to draft CP3.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Whether or not we have Bayless shouldn't stop us from getting the best player we possible can, even if that player is a point guard. Otherwise this just reminds me of the time when we placed our trust in Telfair when we had the opportunity to draft CP3.

If anything having Bayless should give us an opportunity for taking the highest risk /reward option.

 

[illmatic99]

Whether or not we have Bayless shouldn't stop us from getting the best player we possible can, even if that player is a point guard. Otherwise this just reminds me of the time when we placed our trust in Telfair when we had the opportunity to draft CP3.

Outside of Rubio, and possibly Jennings, there are not many other high ceiling PGs in this draft, and neither of these two are available for Portland unless it wants to sell the farm for a top draft pick. Bayless has just as much potential to be a star as guys like Flynn, Curry, etc, so why not stick with what you got?

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Kirk Hinrich is signed for ~$9 million/per year over the next 3 years. If Hinrich is brought over, I would hope that it would be as a starter for those 3 years. $9 million is a lot of cash to have tied up for a back-up PG, especially considering that Oden will be needing a new contract before the 3rd year of Hinrich's contract.

If he were brought in, I think we'd all agree he would be the starter this season. Ultimately we're talking about Hinrich's second-to-last and last contract year. Second to last, he'd be making $9M; the last, $8M. I agree that's a lot for a backup. But Joel will be making almost $7M next year and $7.5M the next. So it's not completely inconsistent with Pritchard's approach with a different, yet equally important position.

Personally, I feel championship teams should overpay for the first big man and point guard off the bench. These positions are just so integral with championship aspirations.

I haven't looked but I would guess that the Lakers and Celtics have had to do this. Maybe not though.

 

[Idog1976]

bayless is NOT a point guard!!!!! He reminds me of a kid I played college basketball with. He has tunnel vision! He just does not see the floor. And I don't think its something you can teach. I'm not saying he can't be a good player but he is 100% NOT a point guard.

And what is a point guard in the modern no hand check NBA? What kind of guard do you want next to Roy who is a Combo guard with excellent vision and virtually unparalleled decision making?

Is Tony Parker a PG?

Is Aaron Brooks a PG?

Is Calderon a PG?

Is Steve Nash a PG?

Is Devin Harris a PG?

Is Chris Paul a PG?

All of those players have radically different styles of play. Some of them look to distribute and some of them look to create their own shot and dish when the defense collapses. Bayless could potentially be the ideal back court mate for Roy. He needs to work on his passing and 3 pt shot he also needs to work on his team defense and dial down the intensity on his man to man. Other then that he has all the physical tools (quickness +, athleticism +++ and strength +++) to be an ideal back court mate for Roy. We want Roy making the decisions in crunch time and even in most sets. If Bayless can run the Pick and Roll, penetrate and dish and hit the open three all he really has to do is look to push the ball and if nothing is there hand it to Roy to make decisions.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Well not exactly. LA is paying Odom, a reserve, $14M this season. But that's about the only glaring rich-contract reserve.