BLAZIN’ BAYLESS
Jerryd Bayless has looked spectacular in his first appearance for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League.
At the half of the Blazers’ matchup with the Washington Wizards, which they lead 37-36, Bayless has 17 points and is 9 of 11 from the free-throw line.
Portland’s widely regarded steal of the draft — the Blazers obtained his rights from Indiana along with Ike Diogu for No. 13 pick Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts on the day of the draft — Bayless led Arizona with 19.7 points per game last season as a freshman.
With a nucleus of Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster and Bayless, who was projected to be drafted as high as fourth, the Blazers appear to be set for years to come.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Dee Brown has replaced his familiar orange headband with a generic white one, but the tight cornrows — and tight skills — are still there.
The former Illinois All-American was efficient at running the point for the Wizards, though it might not have shown on the stat sheet.
In 12 minutes of play, Brown had zero points and one assist.
ROCKIN’ ROBIN
Action is under way at the Thomas and Mack Center between the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
For the first time in his basketball life, Phoenix first-round draft pick Robin Lopez is not playing on the same floor with his twin brother, Brook, a first-round pick of the Nets.
He seems to be handling it fine: Lopez scored six of Phoenix’s first 10 points in the opening three minutes. The Suns led 22-8 early in the game, only to watch the Rockets cut it to 27-24 with a 16-5 run late in the first quarter. By quarter’s end, Phoenix was still up, 31-24.
CAN I BUY A VOWEL?
Washington’s equipment manager must have his work cut out for him.
Imagine stitching these jerseys: Vladimir Veremeenko, Taj McCullough, Oleksiy Pecherov.
Thankfully, there’s Brown for a reprieve.
