Oct 27 2008
Player Preview: Point Guards Who Aren’t Spanish
The star of the Summer League, and the expected heir to the point guard throne, if “interim point guard” status could be considered as having a throne, Jerryd Bayless was expected to have a season full of big things, and maybe be the biggest star out of the three highly touted rookies the Blazers have coming in (4 if you count Batum), and perhaps even a leading contender for rookie of the year and a shoo-in as the starting PG for the Blazers stretch run into the playoffs. As Batum and Webster know, how two months can change everything. I see Jerryd as buried at this moment. He fills Jarrett Jack’s old role, except that he has less experience and a less pronounced forehead. His inexperience is going to leave him scrounging for Sergio scraps, as he’ll be stuck behind the Spaniard and behind the next subject of this preview, Steve Blake. He’ll have to come up with some strong third quarter theatrics to find any semblance of consistent time for this team. Obviously, though, he has NBA talent. His handle nears the world-shaking level of Brandon Roy, and I remember hearing that he got involved in the Las Vegas mayoral race because they loved him so much there during the summer league.
Steve Blake is the man. He’s the point guard that all the pundits always say Portland needs. They say Portland needs a guy like Chris Paul (like any team in the NBA) or some young stud. Here’s what Portland needs from a point guard:
1. Someone who can pass and not make turnovers.
2. Someone who can stay out of Brandon Roy’s way and not take it personally.
3. Someone who can keep his man in front of him.
4. Someone who can make a three-pointer to keep his defender honest.
With the current set of starters the Blazers have when they’re at full strength, the last type of PG that they really need right now is Jerryd Bayless. There’s already a slashing ball-dominator in that lineup (and also in the bargain rack at Fantasy Adult Video). The four other starters all are solid scorers in need of a distributor, and Blake is that man. His rapidly-improved three point shot makes him indispensable, and his tenure makes him a leader on the team. Basically, Blake is the guy we’ve been looking for, even if he looks a bit like Gollum.
Halloween Costumes:
Jerryd Bayless
Where the T-Rex seems like the obvious choice, I went with another dinosaur with short arms here. (LaFrentz would make a better T-Rex if he wasn’t already the titular character in a Kevin Bacon B-movie. No, he’s not the graboids from Tremors) Also his slashing skills and uncanny chicken walk compare well to the velociraptor.
Steve Blake
Charlie Kelly calls himself the Wild Card of the gang on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and he always comes out with the show’s biggest laughs. However, to the outside viewer, the star is Danny DeVito, much as the Blazers’ star is Greg Oden or Roy to those outside of Oregon. Those in the know recognize Charlie as that show’s absurd engine, much like Steve Blake is the engine for the starting lineup. Green Man’s sudden and ball-smashing appearances are simultaneously joyous and surprising, much as a Blake 3 capping a ten-point run will be this season.
SIDENOTE:
Less than 24 hours until the Lakers tomorrow. This will be better than Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Festivus put together.
