Oden + Bayless = ?

by SugarMoses on Jun 13, 2009 9:47 PM PDT

I've read a lot about everything related to the Blazers lately and I haven't heard anyone specifically talk about this: With Oden and Bayless are working out together this summer, they have the potential to become quite a deadly duo. If they learned how to work off of each other (aka Bayless getting Oden the ball at the hoop) they could help each other astronomically. One of Bayless' strengths is his ability to get to the rim, and if he can just dish of to Oden on his way, or lob it up for an Oden jam... BAMB! an easy two points. It's already assumed that Oden will have the starting center spot next season, but Bayless could potentially earn his starting spot just by learning how to play with Oden. They could be a force to be reckoned with for a long time. Thoughts?

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shoot....

Well…. 4 minutes after posting this (my first post ever) I see one from 12 days ago basically talking about this…. boy is my face red…

by SugarMoses on Jun 13, 2009 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

great to have you as part of the site, SugarMoses. We did discuss this a little while ago, and it was a very good conversation.

Are you new to Blazersedge?

proud hinrichsheeple

by Cablinasian on Jun 13, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey Sugar, welcome to the site!

Yeah, it’s all good homey.

To answer your proposition, if you’ve read Blazers Edge before, you probably know I’m the biggest Bayless homer out there (well, besides Ben). I really hope that he and Oden get the feel of things this summer—they could be a huge surprise next year or a huge dissapointment…it’s really hard to tell with those guys. I’d love to see Bayless expand his game to include smart passing and better court vision….Oden and Bayless running the screen and roll could be a deadly combo eventually.

Anyways, welcome to the site…hope you have fun!

Finally, a sig without typeing mistakes.

by prezofdeath on Jun 13, 2009 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

GO BRex !!

They will be linked rookies for years ! BRex and GO will
play off BRoy and Smooth for years to come ! They both attack
the rim, are very strong, athletic and have something to
prove this season. Give Bayless 20 + at backup PG and GO
30 + (sans Foul trouble) and the Blazers are going to jump to
elite status.
P.S. – Get well Martell, and start bombing !!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jun 14, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Who would you run the pick/screen and roll/pop through in the end here?

Roy+Bayless can initiate and Oden+LMA can screen.

Having Rudy or Batum on the wing gives a shooter option.

Personally, having Bayless and Oden run pick and roll might be the best because the three off the ball would be sharp shooters, giving us a very effective 2 on 2. Greg and Bayless would both be capable of dishing to the open man when help comes.

Our only weak link (in an optimistic future) would be Roy’s defense. It would be nice if he could at least pick up his rebounding since he won’t be running the court. Oden+Roy heavy rebounders while the other three, LMA, Batum/Rudy, and Bayless go for the break off an outlet to Bayless (obviously, everyone tries position for the rebound, but the three others look to push the tempo off the shot).

by staylost on Jun 13, 2009 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

Roy's defense isn't bad, he just doesn't always play his best defense.

But in crunch time, he’s usually defending the best wing opponent.

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Jun 13, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, I’m not exactlly new to BE, but I usually stick to the main page posts. But I’d say I’m finally ready to throw my hat into the ring.

I agree with you hat it’s nice to have Oden AND LaMarcus as an option on the pick and roll/pop. We just need to teach Oden how to net an 18 footer

by SugarMoses on Jun 13, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

to be honest, I’d rather have Greg running full force at the basket than spotting up. I like the idea of a big giant running toward the hoop. :)

proud hinrichsheeple

by Cablinasian on Jun 13, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah,

LMA can swing both ways, but Oden towards the hoop. That way, even if he gets no pass, he will be there for the clean up work. That being said, if Oden can make an 18 footer he will pull his guy closer and be able to make a better switch before he bulls to the hoop.

And I agree with you Tofu, but poor defense just because you aren’t trying is still poor defense. If Roy can’t go the whole game playing good defense for whatever reason, than it is still a weakness. I’m guessing he has to lay off to conserve energy. If that is true, running the game through Bayless will give him enough energy to expend defensively. Anyway, Roy is great off the ball. Just check out the ASGs for the past couple of years.

by staylost on Jun 13, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

When your bigger and stronger than everybody else, there is no reason to stop short of the rim.

by Brokenbc on Jun 13, 2009 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

the dreaded Patrick Ewing comparison

There’s no point in Oden shooting jumpers, everytime he pulls up and lets fly the defense breathes a sigh of relief because he didn’t body them under the basket to dunk and/or get fouled. Think of a missed Oden jumper as being equivalent to a turnover, and a wasted posession. He needs to be as close to the basket as possible on every offensive series, to take advantage of his strength and rebounding. Jump hooks with either hand and drop steps are fine, but no drifting out and facing up. That’s Aldridge’s game

I just want to remind everyone that Steve Blake was in the PF early working out with Oden right before training camp last fall. So the idea that Bayless will get acclimated with Greg and throw him lob passes is not a new one

by two4larue on Jun 13, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Love GO, but . . .

he won’t have the 18’ in his arsenal. He’s not that fluid
in his shot. After he refines the hook with either hand to go
with the up and under (obviously the dunk), he might be able to
turn and face from 12’. Think Shaqish, not Hakeem/Ewing.
He’s not going to be a jump shooting Center, but a bruiser !!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jun 14, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Roy

can play good defense but his conditioning needs to be better. I think its due to him controlling the offense so much. It ends up really hurting him on defense as he tends to play lazy and miss an assignment. Watching him get taken by Dohntay Jones of all people was not fun.

by BBG on Jun 14, 2009 12:56 AM PDT reply actions

Oden could turn Bayless into Chris Paul

Yes, you read that right. CP3 got most of his initial hype off of ridiculous plays with Tyson Chandler. Granted CP3 can dominate a game, and I don’t think Bayless can do that, but you get the point.

by JordanLeDoux on Jun 14, 2009 4:03 AM PDT reply actions

Well, if Dwight Howard can't turn Nelson into Chris Paul

I feel pretty comfortable assuming that Greg won’t turn Bayless into Chris Paul. Saying that most of Paul’s initial play was due to Chandler is flat out insulting to everything else he can do.

by Royster on Jun 14, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

to be fair Jameer was spectacular this year

One of the most unfortunate things this season was Nelson getting injured right as everything seemed to really come together for him. He’s obviously very rusty right now, but he was having a first or second team all-nba type season.

by matthewcc on Jun 14, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Jameer was great, but at his best

no one would have compared him to Chris Paul, and it certainly wasn’t anywhere close to cracking a CP-Wade-Kobe 1st team all-NBA backcourt. And besides, he’s been playing alongside Dwight for like 4 years now, so it’s not like Dwight suddenly exploded Jameer’s game.

by Royster on Jun 14, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

For the record........

I was joking about Oden trying to develope a jumper. a) that would be futile and b) well… see everyone else’s reasoning… basically that LMA has that covered.

As to what Jodan just said, I agree in essence. If Bayless could use his connection with GO on the reg, then he’d gain the confidence and ability to hook up with other people. I don’t think GO will turn him into CP3, but it’ll help him get there (wouldn’t that be nice if Bayless actually does get there, to CP3 status).

by SugarMoses on Jun 14, 2009 4:24 AM PDT reply actions

they arent the same type of player

I would rather see them play together in the second lineup if possible because i would rather see Przybilla and Blake start ahead of both those 2 for at least the start of the season.

by quezadaz on Jun 14, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Confidence

for both GO and Bayless would go a long way to helping this teams improvement. CP3 for Bayless might be a stretch, but why not. He’s definitely got the work ethic and athleticism. Less ballhandling duties by Brandon would surely allow him to expend more energy on D. (Welcome to bedge Sugar. This is my first couple days also after following for a couple months)

by Ltlgto on Jun 14, 2009 9:35 AM PDT reply actions