On the Beat: Bayless Moved to Starting Line-Up

PHILADELPHIA, PA – When the 76ers inked Jerryd Bayless in July, the expectation was that the nine-year veteran would be the team's starting point guard. Friday, he finally assumed that mantle. In his third game back from a lift wrist injury, and the Sixers' 15th outing this season, Bayless made his starting debut in the Sixers' 105-89 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Before tip-off, Brett Brown explained that the decision to roll out his seventh different starting line-up this fall was rooted in the initial role the Sixers had in mind for Bayless.”He was always going to be our starting point guard,” Brown said. For the better part of the past few weeks, Bayless gradually began getting involved in more and more practice drills. At first, his contributions were limited to the scripted, non-contact segments of the Sixers' workouts.Monday, however, Bayless was cleared for live game activity for the first time since signing this summer, tallying four points and five assists in 15 minutes in the Sixers' victory over Miami. He then logged extensive action Wednesday, producing 18 points, six assists, and six rebounds in 30 minutes of a double-overtime defeat to Memphis.Brown felt Bayless showed enough progress to make him worthy of the promotion he received Friday. In particular, the head coach was surprised with how much, in just two games, Bayless talked to his teammates. “The thing that stands out that's most needed and most pleasing to me, he's incredibly aggressive vocally,” said Brown. “He really talks, he wants to lead, he's highly opinionated, in a good way. That stands out a lot when you put him on the floor.”On top of that, Bayless brings a competitive spirit to the floor, and an inclination to play downhill.”I think it's helpful for this team – we have a young team – that kind of needs guidance right now,” the 28-year old Bayless said. “Not only myself, I think Ersan does a good job, some of the older guys who have been around the league. We just got to continue to help, and make sure everybody's in the right place at the right time.”Against Chicago Friday, Bayless netted 11 points (4-10 fg, 1-1 3fg), grabbed four rebounds, and handed out a pair of assists.Generally, Brown was encouraged by what he saw. “I think he's trying to do what we want,” said Brown, who acknowledged that, at times, Bayless seemed to be in a rush. “He's trying. He just hasn't played basketball in a while.”Since November 5th, the Sixers haven't had more than one day of separation between games. Bayless believes that, over time, with more opportunities, chemistry will come.”Right now, we're in such a tough stretch, with every other day a game, we don't have a lot of time to practice,” Bayless said. “We're kind of feeling our way. The next time we have two days in between games, we actually get a practice to feel each other out, I think will be a most beneficial thing.”With Bayless getting Friday's starting nod, Sergio Rodriguez was moved to the bench. He played nearly 14 minutes, while T.J. McConnell was on the floor for 11. Neither Rodriguez nor McConnell scored, and combined for four assists.