Another misfortune for Philadelphia 76ers happened as their newly backup point guard Jerryd Bayless will be sidelined for at least one month due to wrist injury. Fortunately, he did not need a surgery.
The eight-year NBA veteran suffered a torn ligament in his left wrist as reported by ESPN. Although he did not need a surgery, but the team predicted he will have to be sidelined for a month to recover from his injury.
Bayless was acquired by the 76ers during the off-season to fill in the point guard position. Prior to join the Sixers, Bayless has played for six different teams in the league. Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are the teams which he has played for.
Philadelphia 76ers will have to use Sergio Rodriguez in the point guard along with T.J. McConnell as reported by CBS Sports. But neither of the two players has the shooting ability like Bayless.
Indiana Pacers selected the 6’3” player as 11th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, before trading him to the Portland Trail Blazers. Bayless played in Portland for two seasons before being traded to the Pelicans in 2010.
During his tenure for two seasons in Milwaukee Bucks in 2014-2016, he earned the trust from head coach Jason Kidd as he understand the gameplay and execute it really well. He averaged 9.1 points and 3 assists in Milwaukee Bucks.
The 76ers signed him in July 2016 to strengthen their back court. Philadelphia that has an overcrowded front court will need a point guard who can space the floor, while rookie Ben Simmons will be the point forward. Bayless has exactly the required skills to execute the game play devised by head coach Brett Brown.
Unfortunately, the gameplay strategy must wait as both Bayless and Simmons are out due to injury. The Sixers was defeated in their first regular season game by the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-103.
Watch the interview with Bayless and shooting guard Gerald Henderson on Sixers Media day from Penn Live below