Jerryd Bayless: Learning How to Make the Most of His Chance

[Nikolokolus]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/02/jerryd_bayless_learning_how_to.html#preview

Interesting article by Joe Freeman on J-Bay. This part jumped out at me in particular

behind the scenes, McMillan sees a young player who is still learning the nuances of the Blazers' system, has yet to fully grasp the team's half-court sets and is trying to absorb the NBA game. And even on defense, where Bayless is clearly superior to Rodriguez in on-ball matchups, the rookie is struggling to grasp the Blazers' schemes and rotations.

"Things out there are so fast and are moving so fast for him," said McMillan, who noted that former MVP point guard Steve Nash took three years to develop. "It's going to take some time. He'll get better, but it won't happen overnight. It's going to take a few years."

Of course, Bayless is doing his best to accelerate this development. McMillan, with his stoic demeanor and unflappable poise, can be an intimidating figure to young players. His coaching style is more tough love than effusive praise, especially for rookies, who McMillan says, "have to earn your way (and) have to work your way to establish yourself in this league."

But more than most first-year players, Bayless is stretching his comfort zone and forging a bond with his coach. Almost daily, Bayless randomly taps McMillan on the shoulder on the team plane, knocks on his hotel room door on the road or pops into McMillan's office to watch film or talk about schemes.

Even when Bayless wasn't playing -- he did not play in 20 of the Blazers' first 31 games -- the inquisitive 20 year-old was a sponge for knowledge and insight. If he wasn't begging coaches to watch game film, he was text-messaging McMillan with questions or simply calling for advice.

"He just wants to know, he wants to learn, he wants to learn how to play (point guard)," McMillan said. "He comes up all the time looking for help. He's not afraid to ask. He wants information, he wants to know and he wants to get better, and the way to get better is by asking questions. It's a lot of communication, talking, hearing him, listening to him and what he's thinking, and trying to get a feel for who he is.

"He's a very competitive kid, who's fearless, who's not afraid. But he's just ... he's raw, he's very raw."

I think it's going to be awhile if you're expecting B-Rex to be running the show ... and that's OK; the payoff will hopefully be worth the wait.

 

[MARIS61]

Bayless's approach is straight out of the Jarrett Jack playbook, ala bringing an apple for the teacher to become his pet.

But more than most first-year players, Bayless is stretching his comfort zone and forging a bond with his coach. Almost daily, Bayless randomly taps McMillan on the shoulder on the team plane, knocks on his hotel room door on the road or pops into McMillan's office to watch film or talk about schemes.

Even when Bayless wasn't playing -- he did not play in 20 of the Blazers' first 31 games -- the inquisitive 20 year-old was a sponge for knowledge and insight. If he wasn't begging coaches to watch game film, he was text-messaging McMillan with questions or simply calling for advice.

Where's Jarrett now?

 

[roydezlaw]

But more than most first-year players, Bayless is stretching his comfort zone and forging a bond with his coach. Almost daily, Bayless randomly taps McMillan on the shoulder on the team plane, knocks on his hotel room door on the road or pops into McMillan's office to watch film or talk about schemes.

When I read this part of the story, I thought of Jarrett Jack too.

 

[ironcrotch]

The old scapegoat is playing pretty well in Indiana.

 

[MrJayremmie]

Awesome. He seems to have the perfect personality for someone who will be the floor general in a couple years. That makes me happy (the article).

 

[Nikolokolus]

Bayless's approach is straight out of the Jarrett Jack playbook, ala bringing an apple for the teacher to become his pet.

But more than most first-year players, Bayless is stretching his comfort zone and forging a bond with his coach. Almost daily, Bayless randomly taps McMillan on the shoulder on the team plane, knocks on his hotel room door on the road or pops into McMillan's office to watch film or talk about schemes.

Even when Bayless wasn't playing -- he did not play in 20 of the Blazers' first 31 games -- the inquisitive 20 year-old was a sponge for knowledge and insight. If he wasn't begging coaches to watch game film, he was text-messaging McMillan with questions or simply calling for advice.

Where's Jarrett now?

All I have to say is, "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" ... now I'm not trying to make a dig on your boy Sergio, but it's been a poorly kept secret that Sergio's practice and workout habits haven't exactly endeared him to the coaching staff in his 2 1/2 years with the team (although he seemed to make some strides this summer when he sought out John Townsend to help him with his shot).

All I'm saying is that everyone of these guys possess oodles of talent, but the line of demarcation between them realizing their potential and flaming out often has more to do with the willingness to sacrifice and put in the time. You call that being the teacher's pet, I call that paying the price.

 

[rocketeer]

Bayless's approach is straight out of the Jarrett Jack playbook, ala bringing an apple for the teacher to become his pet.

But more than most first-year players, Bayless is stretching his comfort zone and forging a bond with his coach. Almost daily, Bayless randomly taps McMillan on the shoulder on the team plane, knocks on his hotel room door on the road or pops into McMillan's office to watch film or talk about schemes.

Even when Bayless wasn't playing -- he did not play in 20 of the Blazers' first 31 games -- the inquisitive 20 year-old was a sponge for knowledge and insight. If he wasn't begging coaches to watch game film, he was text-messaging McMillan with questions or simply calling for advice.

Where's Jarrett now?

are you trying to somehow spin that in a negative way?