Slam Online: Jerryd Bayless's Summer Workout: Behind the Scenes

Writer and professor Rus Bradburd provides a must-read account of working with Jerryd Bayless this past summer.

over 2 years ago Ben Golliver 19 comments 4 recs |

Comments

Great read, especially the psychological aspects

I’m a bit confused that Rudy Gay is one of his star pupils. Gay is fairly weak at creating his own shots off the dribble, and often it looks like his blazing-fast first step is better than his handles. I would have understood Mike Conley, but maybe Conley doesn’t need any more help and Gay learns fast…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNT00hIXjLs

But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart

by Norsktroll on Oct 28, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions

That's probably why he mentioned Gay in such a way

He learned fast, which is why he’s where he is, but which is also why he’s probably never going too high. Read like a dig to me.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 28, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

that reminded me

Rudy Gay is on KP’s “special fit” list for future trade acquisitions. According to a Jason Quick radio interview done back in May

believe it, or don’t

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 28, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

so maybe there's a "Tom Penn connection"

through this “English dribbling prof” to Rudy Gay, back to KP?

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 28, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool read

no real resolution as to the writers opinion although indication is that Bayless reacted in the manner of those who succeed.

I think Bayless came to the blazers a year too late. A year earlier and there likely would have been more patience and more playing time.

At some point the blazers will need to decide if he’s the right kid for the team and if so, let him gain the time and experience he needs.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Oct 28, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions

Another small injury and Bayless could see that time

Miller is an iron man but Rudy seems to struggle to stay healthy all year round and Blake picks up little injuries every so often. Since he is a combo and not a true point guard he’ll be great later in the season. Even if he doesn’t get a ton of time( = no more injuries) the time he gets he’s going to have to make the best of. He’s so explosive he’s got the skills.

Some time back I saw a short video on BE or the Blazers website of Bayless working out before practice. He had a whole point guard workout, dribbling skills and shooting, he did before he lifted. I wonder if his dribbling routine changed

Too bad it took so long for the two to meet. It seems like Penn should have been on the phone to Bradburd after summer league when he looked so good. From everything I have picked up Bayless went into the start of last year too confident. He’s such a hard worker it seems like specialized coaching like that should have been scheduled. Im sure the Blazers staff is great but there must of been a reason Penn called Bradburd.

by BlazerKuttn on Oct 28, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

it's likely

he was at the point where he wasn’t listening to coaching. You know… those young arrogant know it alls… kind of like i’ve been in my life.

I picked up on that in a few statements that were made. I think Webster was a bit like that too.

I still hope he’s our PG answer.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Oct 28, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Webster was a bit like that too.

Definitely. I remember Quick writing about how Webster “thought he knew everything” after the 2007 season, and Martell was thisclose to being included in the Randolph-Frye deal, until Penn discovered the trade exception that would be gained if Fred Jones was included, instead.

Maybe Marty caught wind of this sequence of events, or perhaps Brandon sat him down and had a “come to Jesus” meeting during that summer? Regardless, Webster has been much more “coachable” since the fall of ’07, and has earned the nickname “Marty Blazer”

Bayless OTOH, has never been a “problem”. If he had, I’m sure Quick (and others) would’ve let us know…)

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 28, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Another indication that the jury is still out on him.

Andre to Roy alley oops = 24-7 = All day every day

by dpnim on Oct 28, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

His comments on age was interesting...

I wonder if Bayless will go to the NBADL this year just to get some PT and help him develop more…

by hotstuffdb22 on Oct 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't imagine that'll happen

He may not be in our rotation, but he’s so much better than those players that playing with them would likely make him worse.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 28, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Or he could make them better

Blazers win!

by The X-man on Oct 28, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Man, I love Bayless

I hope so badly that he eventually earns his way into the rotation, because once he gets his feet solidly underneath him, he will be a juggernaut.

"I just sort of know that around the water cooler they talk of reality tv stars, and I strictly drink coffee." -- EvilKaramazov

by BlazersOrBust on Oct 28, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

That's why it's kind of nice that it's such a challenge for him to get there.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 28, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Bradburd is a good guy

He is my neighbor, and I’ve been trying to pick his brain a little about this experience. He’s being very professional/mum about it though.

If you like the way he writes, check out his book “Paddy on the Hardwood”. It’s about his experience coaching a professional bball team in Ireland. Us English types got to stick together (especially since he brought me the Blazers shirt they gave him). I imagine I’m the only Blazer fan he knows in southern New Mexico.

by fatwansaboni on Oct 28, 2009 12:03 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs