Some post-game thoughts (Suns edition)

What a game . . .

• Bayless definitely deserves the first mention. He was a revelation, playing even better than the Bayless Boosters among us thought possible. For the second straight game, he played absolutely huge in crunch time, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter and a career-high 29 total. And he didn't just score in traditional Bayless style (i.e. crashing the rim). He also canned a number of key spot up jumpers, including two huge threes down the stretch. Perhaps even more importantly, though, Bayless did a lot more than just score. He looked comfortable with the ball and made good decisions. He made several really nice assists, including a perfectly threaded alley-oop pass to LaMarcus in the first half (made while running and standing outside the three point line). If Bayless can continue to make outside shots and good passes, he will instantly become the most well-rounded and dangerous point guard on the Blazer roster. He clearly was tonight.


• Roy also had a solid game, especially down the stretch. His shots weren't falling early, but he was generally making good decisions and it started to pay off down the stretch. What I particularly liked was Brandon's willingness in the 4th quarter to draw the double team and then kick it out to a teammate, usually Bayless. You can tell Brandon feels comfortable playing with Bayless and really likes the kid. Brandon looked like a proud older brother at the end of the game.


• Lost amidst the heroics of others was the solid game that Martell Webster had. Not only did he hit some key jumpers, but he hustled on the offensive glass, pulling down 3 huge offensive rebounds, including a game-winning one at the end (he had 7 total rebounds). Martell finished the game with +18 plus/minus, the best of anyone on the team. He also seemed to respond well to being put in the game during crunch time, which is a very promising sign.


• What I didn't understand (yet again) was why McMillan kept pulling Martell early and replacing him with Blake. Blake didn't have a bad game. He had a relatively efficient 12 points which included a couple big threes, but he also played 38 minutes, every single one of them alongside another point guard. Given that Martell is our only healthy small forward, and is playing pretty well (better than Blake), I don't really understand why McMillan insists on allotting so many minutes to Blake. It's truly bizarre.


• Whatever lineups McMillan goes with, the only sensible rotation at the moment is one that maximizes the minutes being played by Roy, Aldridge, Przybilla, Bayless, Webster. Those guys should all be getting around 35 minutes, with other guys filling in the gaps.


• It will be interesting to see how Bayless' recent explosion affects the team going forward. One thing I'm virtually certain of now, though, is that--barring further injury--either Andre Miller or Steve Blake will be traded relatively soon. Bayless rendered himself untouchable last night from a trade perspective and unbenchable from a playing perspective. And it is simply untenable to continue to juggle minutes among three point guards, especially when the team has obvious holes at other positions. Pritchard will deal either Miller or Blake, depending on how they play this month and what kind of offers the team is getting for them. One of them will be gone before long.