Philadelphia 76ers: Jerryd Bayless impresses in Sixers’ loss to Celtics

A forgotten man after playing just three games last season, Jerryd Bayless impressed in the Philadelphia 76ers’ preseason loss to the Boston Celtics.

After virtually a full season of sitting on the sidelines, Jerryd Bayless has a point to prove.

With the Philadelphia 76ers sitting 2017 No. 1 overall selection Markelle Fultz due to shoulder soreness, Bayless took his place in the backcourt in the Sixers’ latest preseason battle against the Boston Celtics.

Playing 19 minutes, Bayless posted 15 points, three rebounds and three assists, which included hitting 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Unfortunately for Bayless and the Sixers, they came up short with a 110-102 loss, giving the Sixers an 0-2 record to commence the preseason.

Signed in the summer of 2016 to a three-year, $27 million deal, Bayless played in just three games due to season-ending wrist surgery. Virtually a new recruit due to his time on the sidelines last season, Bayless’ ability to spread the floor and play at both the 1 and 2 spots is bound to provide head coach Brett Brown a number of lineup options moving forward.

Throughout his brief time on the court this game, Bayless demonstrated some of what the Sixers were looking for when they signed him over 12 months ago. Not only was he able to hit from the perimeter, Bayless was also able to attack the heart of the defense, where he demonstrated the ability to not only finish himself, but also set up his teammates.

With the inexperience of Fultz and Ben Simmons expected to show through in their rookie seasons, the 29-year-old Bayless provides a terrific steady hand for coach Brown to call upon in a number of different situations.

Two others veterans that impressed that the Sixers are going to rely upon this season are newly arrived free agents J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson. Redick scored 12 points in just 19 minutes on the floor, which included all three of his 3-point attempts. This now gives Redick a perfect return of 5-of-5 from long range through two games. And Johnson, matched against his former team, registered 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes of play.

Following the game, coach Brown was effusive in his praise of the trio:

"“The guys that we didn’t have last year, when you looked at Jerryd, when you looked at J.J., when you looked at Amir, those three guys were solid. They were NBA veterans, and those three especially stood out.”"

Now entering his 10th season on his seventh different team, Bayless, the former No. 11 overall pick is bound to assist the Sixers with their shooting woes of a season ago. Prior to the season, coach Brown raised eyebrows when he made the following comparison:

Clearly the point Brown was making is he envisions Bayless playing the role of a lead veteran guard off the bench, with the versatility to make plays in a number of ways.

When you factor in the inexperience of Simmons and Fultz, and Bayless’ ability to both run the point and stretch the floor, Brown’s comparisons with Ginobili and Crawford start to become clearer.

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If Bayless can continue the form he showed in this game against the Celtics, Brown’s proclamations may well be on the money.