It was hot today in Portland, so it was a good day to spend some time in an air conditioned theater.  So I saw the newly released film, Gunning for That #1 Spot, a movie about eight high school kids, ranging from sophomore to senior, who played in an event organized at Rutger park.  It's a documentary, and was shot by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys.

The movie highlights several seniors (at the time) you're heard of, including Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Donte Green, and Kyle Singler (of Medford, Oregon , now at Duke).  The juniors will be college freshman next year, Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings, and the lone profiled sophomore, Lance Stephenson will be a freshman in the fall of 2009.

It also featured Jared Bayless, our newest Blazer.  From the film, he is clearly a very focused, conditioned athlete with a supportive family.  He also had trouble finishing with his left hand, and is a better scorer than he is a passer (he finished the game with less than five assists - I think it was three - Brandon Jennings had 15 for the other team, but Bayless did have Beasley on his team who is a major boll-hog), and has good size for a point guard but only so-so size for a combo guard (which is what based on his passing skills is what it looks like he will be, in the NBA).

Does that description remind you of anyone? 6'3", 200, trouble finishing with the left, limited passing skills?  He never stepped out of bounds, though.  Anyway, Bayless looks like a perfect fit for the KP culture, he is composed and mature, and clearly hungry to prove himself and become an elite player.  What his long term role will be on this team, it's unclear.  I've got to say, though, I think his impact this year will be limited.