“Welcome to Prime Time, Jerryd Bayless”
Fan’s sign tells the whole story of ex-UA guard’s career night
FRIDAY’S GAMES (Tucson times)
Utah at Atlanta (Bibby), 5:30 p.m.
Philadelphia (Iguodala) at Boston, 5:30 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at New York (Hill), 6 p.m.
Houston (Budinger) at Dallas (Terry), 6:30 p.m.
Washington (Arenas) at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Chicago 98, New York 89 (Hill DNP)
Portland 105 (29 points, 3 reb, 4 ast), Phoenix 102 (Frye 17 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast)
FEATURED EX-CAT LINKS:
>>Bayless, TNT down Suns (ValleyoftheSuns.com)
>>Jerryd Bayless Just Happened Edition (Hardwood Paroxysm)
>>NBA & ABA players who attended the University of Arizona (Basketball-Reference.com)
| Excerpt from an Arizona Republic blog about Jerryd Bayless’ career night against the Suns:
The sign had been made before the game but it did not make its way onto The Rose Garden’s gargantuan video screens until Jerryd Bayless had helped turn the place into Rip City bedlam in the fourth quarter. “Welcome to Prime Time, Jerryd Bayless,” the fan’s sign read. Bayless had been pining for this chance since he arrived in the NBA last year, only to immediately have to wait in line for a turn. Buried on a deep team last season, Bayless thought he had his chance coming this summer when Portland traded backup point guard Sergio Rodriguez and sent Bayless to NBA Summer League in Las Vegas to concentrate on his new backup point guard role. But when Hedo Turkoglu balked on a free agency commitment to Portland, the Blazers signed Andre Miller instead and Bayless’ chance was gone again behind Miller and Blake. If it was not for Portland’s rash of injuries, Bayless’ playing time would be as inconsistent as ever. But Portland leaned on him against his hometown’s team, the Suns, and he answered the call with a career-high 29 points (previous high was 23) on 9-for-15 shooting. He made two 3-pointers in a game for the first time in his career. He had 16 points in the decisive fourth quarter, often taking over the ballhandling from Brandon Roy so that Roy could rest instead of coming out of the game. Roy played the entire second half. “It felt great,” Bayless said. “I can’t even like. You know, this last year and a half has been tough for me. Coach (Nate McMillan) has given me an opportunity now and I’m just trying to make the best of it so I don’t have to go through that again.” |
Tags: Channing Frye, Jerryd Bayless
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December 18th, 2009 at 6:59 AM
From Marc Berman’s blog on the NY Post:
“Mike D’Antoni said there was a chance Knicks rookie power forward Jordan Hill could be sent to the Knicks’ D-League affiliate in Springfield later this season if they remain in the playoff hunt.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/jordan_to_league_Lk3VfD4uH6UQKdgPvaEHSI
I didn’t know the Knicks were in the playoff hunt. However, if Jordan isn’t going to play, maybe this is for the better.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:31 PM
The Knicks ruin another UofA player, Jordans best bet would be to get traded to a more athletic team.
The Knicks have one thing in mind and that is trying to lure LeBron James to New York next year. D’Antonio and the Gm Walsh do not care who they get rid of or how they do that. They will trade that teams soul away for LeBron, and one cannot blame them for the desire, but to not let some one with Jordan’s abilities not get a fair chance to play and show case his abilities is a shame.
New York is dreaming, they are in no way a play off team. D’Antonio is light headed if he thinks so. They play a boring pathetic brand of basketball. Most of the starters are on one year salaries and there play and attitudes show that, they know they will not be with that team next year.
Phoenix played almost zero defense under D’Antonio and he has New York playing the same style. You can score all the points you want, but if you do not play any defense than you will not last long in the play offs.