Jerryd Bayless reportedly picks Texas

[IcemanCometh]

Bayless to Texas: He hasn't committed yet, but it's only a matter of time. Jerryd Bayless, one of the top guards in the class of 2007 and a no-brainer future NBA player, is expected to pick Texas after decommitting earlier this summer from Arizona. Coaches throughout the Southwest say they're barely bothering to recruit Bayless because they're that sure he's headed to the Longhorns.

So much for that Arizona fan (http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9544296)

[degenerate_gambler]

If that's true then damn...and with the kid from Alief giving a verbal to Barnes last week, that's two big time ones right there.

[JMarkJohns]

Here's the issues with your two studs.

Gary Johnson is a great PF. He bangs, he boards, he posts up.

He's coming to Texas to play SF. Read his commit articles. It was even Barnes idea.

Jerryd Bayless is a great SG. He slashes, he shoots, he scores.

He's coming to Texas to play PG. Read up on the situation. It, again, was Barnes Idea.

Your not getting 5-star skills at the respective positions these two will be filling. If Barnes pulls his head out of his ass and uses them at each's original positions, then they'll do great. But many a recruiting analyst has mentioned that neither is very skilled in the areas needed to succeed at their new positions.

Johnson doesn't have a handle, a jumper or the means to develop either.
Bayless doesn't have the mentality, the instincts or court vision.

They are great gets, if used right, but Barnes is trying to rewrite the book on both and the majority of analysts, including a large contingent of non-Arizona experts, don't think it's a good sell.


Arizona will be just fine. They have California's Mr. Athlete of the Year, one Mr. Chase Budinger, who's fresh off a co-MVP McD's AA game and an MVP of the US Team International Games...

For the class of 2007, Arizona has one top-15 prospect and two other four-star recruits and are in good with another four or five 4/5 star recruits.

Don't worry your clueless little head over me or Arizona.

Just pray that Barnes does better by Bayless and Johnson than he did with Daniel Gibson and Mike Williams.

[IcemanCometh]

don't be bitter
just pray olson does better with Budinger than he has with Jawann McClellan

[JMarkJohns]

don't be bitter
just pray olson does better with Budinger than he has with Jawann McClellan

LMAO... yeah, because McClellan's father's death and therefore McClellan's subsequent absense from a needed summer school course was Olson's fault. I guess as was the NCAA's ruling (and suspension) that tending to a family tragedy (not to mention Hurricane Rita threatening his remaining family shortly thereafter) wasn't justification enough for a student to miss a class. I suppose the broken wrist McClellan suffered his first game back was Olson's fault as well :rollin

Face facts, junior, since 1990, Arizona has sent more players to the NBA than any other school.

If you think the truth I speak stems from bitterness, so be it. You're the one who called me out. Congrats on snagging them, but that's just half the battle.

If they can max out their potential, they'll be a hell of a class. If they can't, then the Barne's orchistrated position switch will largely be the reason.

Bayless is a one and done. Always has been. The real snag was Johnson. He's a four-year player. Arizona wanted him as bad as it wanted Bayless. He's the one that got away...

[mookie2001]

Bayless is one and done??
ROFL

can you explain how thats going to happen?

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Is this guy coming to the team this next season or the season after that?

Texas is going to be the youngest, lankiest, skinniest team in big xii history.

[JMarkJohns]

Bayless is one and done??
ROFL

can you explain how thats going to happen?

Yeah. Because as a scorer, he's as good as there is behind Mayo. When he was committed to Arizona, the 'cats kept plans for 2008 SG's/PG's because everyone on the staff figured he was for sure. He made mention of it as well. He said (remembering that this was when he was committed to UA) that he'd be more inclined to stay for a second year if UA landed friend and 2008 PG, Bandon Jennings.

However, that was when it was understood that Jerryd was a SG, not a PG himself.

Maybe being a PG will keep him on campus for an extra year, but like I said above, it will likely stem from this new position not giving UT the best Bayless has. He is not, as of right now, a PG. There are a lot of coaches and analysts who think he'll never be one.

CBF... Bayless and Johnson are 2007. They'll arrive in two years and likely be there with Augustine and James. I think Durant is a one-and-done as well.

[IcemanCometh]

arizona fans have a silly faux rivalry with texas. they have an inferiority complex when it comes to the horns and have alot of built of antipathy with barnes for no real reason.

arizonas time as an arrogant ncaa also ran is coming to an end and they are lashing out at whoever steals "their" recruits

[leemajors]

jmark, what should barnes have done differently with gibson?

[JMarkJohns]

arizona fans have a silly faux rivalry with texas. they have an inferiority complex when it comes to the horns and have alot of built of antipathy with barnes for no real reason.

arizonas time as an arrogant ncaa also ran is coming to an end and they are lashing out at whoever steals "their" recruits

The rivalry stems from Arizona "stealing" Ndudi Ebi from Texas and Duke, McClellan from Texas and Houston and Nic Wise from Texas.

It's always been more of a recruiting rivalry. We all know on the court, it's no contest, just see the record of 7-1 vs. Texas (or something like that).

Again, I believe you called me out. Therefore you're the one with the issues.

As for Arizona, since 2000, they've been to every tournament, one NC game, two Elite 8's, one Sweet 16 and two early exits. That's hardly something to turn your nose at. Last year they'd have gone a lot farther had McClellan not gone down with injury.

You needn't worry your empty little head about Arizona. They have a brand new pipeline that they are now exploiting to replace the one they may have lost from Texas. We'll just have to wait and see.


leemajors... I cannot tell you what Barnes should have done differently with Gibson. During the draft, the Rivals Network message boards were filled with rumors of Gibson disliking to hating Barnes. That they never got along once Gibson got on campus and that Gibson was never allowed to show what he could do. That he felt he was pulled back.

Each's willingness to let the other get away tells me there was something there.

It's not always the coach. I haven't watched enough UT basketball to get a true sense of Gibson. I know a lot of people thought he was more of an undersized SG with no consistant shot, but a solid ability to create and pass rather than a true PG. If this is true, then it sounds like maybe his mentality may have contributed to his "being held back". Sometimes you can coach and coach and the player just doesn't learn anything.

Like they are made of non-absorbant material.

Arizona has its Daniel Gibson in Mustafa Shakur. Talent who will help a team win when he plays the right way, but will often time get lost, get down on himself and hurt the team by not playing the right way.

The reason I mentioned Gibson and Mike Williams is there are many people who think the games are similer to the 2007 class Texas is building.

Bayless/Gibson = Undersized SG with solid, but not good shots, but a good ability to drive the lane and create offense, making the pass if need be.

Johnson/Williams = Undersized banger, but always gives maximum effort. Raw offensive game, but overall intensity makes up for whatever shortcomings.

Again, both are great gets. Still, as someone who's followed the Bayless situation for nearly two years, trust me when I say he's likely a one and done. Remember, I called PJ Tucker and Daniel Gibson staying in the draft when most UT fans here said one or the both would return.

Johnson has pro-aspirations, so you never really know, but most who analyze him say he's likely a four year player. This was even before the rumored position change. My guess is he attempts the position change for a season or so, then is moved back to PF. In any case, he's a beast on the boards and a very good defender. He's a real get.

Iceman, you have a lot of growing up to do. Talent does not equal Titles. Still, it never hurts, so once again, you got some good players.

What else was it that you wanted me to say when you called me out?

[leemajors]

ok, i pretty much agree with you. gibson always seemed to have a poor head on his shoulders, from decisions he made in-game to his pro aspirations when he had done so little to prove his talent by helping his team.

[IcemanCometh]

did i say anything about titles?

i was calling you out because you always seem to comment on every texas thread and because i don't like you. so go back to your hole desert aggy.

[JMarkJohns]

did i say anything about titles?

i was calling you out because you always seem to comment on every texas thread and because i don't like you. so go back to your hole desert aggy.


LMAO... I rarely comment on anything in this forum. I threw a few comments out in reguards to Tucker and Gibson staying in the draft and pimping Budinger (CO-MVP with Durant of the McD's AA game) and talked up USC in football, but overall, I've been pretty positive about Texas.

Durant is a great player who, if he stays another year with Johnson and Bayless, could help win Texas a Title. I love Aldridge and hoped the Suns would trade up for him. Matter of fact, you are the only part of Texas I've spoke ill of. It's mostly because you're a jackass homer who can't pull his head out of his own ass long enough to see that the world doesn't revolve around UT.

You've got some great talent and your coach is a great recruiter. Thing is, you've always had talent, so pardon a little skepticism in reguards to some position changes working for Texas' betterment.

You're a joke. Stay that way. You do yourself proud, despite the cluelessnes..

[Ballcox]

^ Interesting info on Gibson, I always got the feeling that he and Barns didn't see eye-to-eye, but I wasn't aware that they had that kind of negative relationship. My biggest gripe with Gibson was that he never really seemed to fit the true PG role or have the mentality to play PG, he wanted to score and get more of the spotlight than set up other players. He also had trouble bringing the ball up the court against pressure. I wish the best for him at the next level, but honestly I see him playing in Europe in the near future.

[JMarkJohns]

^ Interesting info on Gibson, I always got the feeling that he and Barns didn't see eye-to-eye, but I wasn't aware that they had that kind of negative relationship.

The info I gave is months old and came from several Texas posters close to the situation on the premium boards of the Rivals Network for whom I moderate.


My biggest gripe with Gibson was that he never really seemed to fit the true PG role or have the mentality to play PG, he wanted to score and get more of the spotlight than set up other players. He also had trouble bringing the ball up the court against pressure.

This is the question in reguards to Bayless as a PG that I was expressing. Gibson was at least a legit PG at the prep level. Bayless has always been a combo-guard at best, SG most assumed. He's got incredable skills, but they are mostly off the dribble and normally require his lightning quick elevation and release via a jumper or his ability to get to the FT line. His creation is largely for himself. He's not a selfish player by any means. He's just not a PG, which is the position he's being recruited for at Texas (according to reports and Bayless).

A player most compare to Bayless was former Arizona State PG/SG Eddie House. Expect 15 point with 3 assist averages from Bayless. Closer to 20 point, 4 assist averages if he stays an extra year.

Much more of a SG. Difference between Bayless and House in reguards to the NBA is Bayless is 6-4, 200 pounds while House is 6-0, 180 pounds.

Much more of an NBA-type body than House had.

[mookie2001]

one would hope the second best scorer for 07 wouldnt turn out to be equal to daniel gibson


gripes
gibson sucked on mung his so. season, the only way I could imagine and nba team would draft him, would have to be based largely on his freshman season, and hopes he won't just keep getting shittier and shittier

what a gamble for both gibson and the cavs



in retrospect gibson and tucker both shined during their sophmore seasons

[JMarkJohns]

one would hope the second best scorer for 07 wouldnt turn out to be equal to daniel gibson

Agreed, but if he is used at PG, then he could. Gibson was a hell of a prospect coming into college. Top-30...

Granted, not a top-10 like Bayless, but each's scouting report reads the same...

Elite athlete and scorer. Unstoppable off the dribble. Fine ability to hit open shots.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Youngest. Lankiest. Skinniest. Chinstrappiest.

[mookie2001]

I can't even remember when gibson was being recruited!
the freshmans at my highschool didnt get internets

[JMarkJohns]

So much for that Arizona fan (http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9544296)

Not that it means anything until he signs his letter of intent, but your boy Bayless just recommitted to Arizona for 2007 as a SG.

Solly Cholly!

Keeping my fingers crossed it's legit this time.

[mookie2001]

too bad hes one and done

[JMarkJohns]

Yeah...

To barrow from a buddy on another board, Bayless' audition for the League will either be a success or a circus. If he can do enough without trying to do too much, then he'll be a HUGE piece to Arizona's Title puzzle. If he forces things and plays for the NBA's money, then his lone value will come from Lute being able to keep arguably the state's best player ever in state while sending yet another player to the League.

Rumor has it that #15 ranked PF JJ Hickson of Alabama should be following Bayless to whichever school of choice, but his list is too long for a commit any time soon.

[IceColdBrewski]

too bad hes one and done

One year is all it takes to win another Championship.

[cecil collins]

Not that it means anything until he signs his letter of intent, but your boy Bayless just recommitted to Arizona for 2007 as a SG.

Solly Cholly!

Keeping my fingers crossed it's legit this time.
So I guess he is a badass again, but not when Texas stole him.

[JMarkJohns]

Cecil, read my first post.

Better yet, here's the relevant info...

Jerryd Bayless is a great SG. He slashes, he shoots, he scores.

He's coming to Texas to play PG. Read up on the situation. It, again, was Barnes Idea.

Your not getting 5-star skills at the respective positions these two will be filling. If Barnes pulls his head out of his ass and uses them at each's original positions, then they'll do great...

...They are great gets, if used right...

Clearly you fail to see how misusing a player can change his value to a team. For Texas, it was reported Bayless would be coming to play an unnatural PG position. For Arizona, it is being reported that Bayless will play his natural SG position. Therein lies the difference. He was always a stud scorer who can make the pass when need be, but he was never a PG, which again, is how Texas was going to use him.

Different positions, different story.

Sorry if you can't deal with the obvious. It's like me arguing Durant would have the same value of his SG/SF skills at C. It's not true. While the player is still very skilled, much of his skills will go underused because of the position change while his weaknesses will be magnified.

I'm sure Texas will land another stud to round out its 2007 class. Don't worry about that. Frankly, with Augustine, I never understood why Bayless was being recruited for the PG spot anyways.

[MajorMike]

If that's true then damn...and with the kid from Alief giving a verbal to Barnes last week, that's two big time ones right there.

UT will have 2 of the Top 10 or 20 high school players in the nation next year as Freshmen to enjoy for one year before they defect to the NBA under the new 19-y/o rule.

[JMarkJohns]

Mike, you including Augustine? He's a two-year player minimum. Maybe three. He'll be very good from the start, but his size and jumper will keep him at Texas for at least two years.