Milwaukee Bucks: Remembering Jerryd Bayless’ Time As A Buck
By Adam Coffman
With the Associated Press reporting that former Milwaukee Bucks guard and free agent Jerryd Bayless has signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the 76ers, we take a look back at his time in Milwaukee.
After two years in Milwaukee, Jerryd Bayless is moving on to pastures new.
The combo guard affectionately nicknamed “Black Hole” by Bucks legend and broadcaster Marques Johnson, Bayless is reportedly set to join up with the Philadelphia 76ers having agreed a three-year, $27 million deal.
As such, it only seemed appropriate to look back at the 27-year-old’s contributions during his time as a Buck.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
The signing of Jerryd Bayless in the summer of 2014 was a move by a team desperate to leave a disastrous 15-67 season behind them.
The 6’3″ Bayless had played for five different teams over just six years, and was expected to provide depth at both guard positions behind guards Brandon Knight and O.J. Mayo.
My, how times have changed.
After a rocky individual 2014-2015 campaign, many Bucks fans likely didn’t envision hoping to re-sign the combo guard during the following year’s free agency period.
In his first year with the team after signing a two-year, $6 million deal, Bayless had a bit of a down year, averaging 7.8 points per game off the bench, the lowest mark since his rookie season.
Fans were often frustrated with his propensity to over-dribble and force shots early in possessions, and organizational distrust in the former Arizona Wildcat manifested itself in the acquisition of fellow combo guard Greivis Vasquez.
However, this past season, Bayless revitalized his game, becoming a deadly perimeter weapon and valuable leader for the young Bucks to the tune of 10.4 points per game and a career-high 53.9 effective field goal percentage.
Injuries to backcourt mates O.J. Mayo (now disqualified from the NBA) and Vasquez (likely gone in free agency), and the benching of incumbent starter Michael Carter-Williams led to Bayless starting 18 games, mostly at the lead guard spot and one less than his career high despite missing 30 games due to a host of injuries.
Although occupying the nominal point guard slot, Bayless played mostly off the ball to a career-low usage rate of 16.4 percent, deferring ballhandling and facilitating duties to Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of the season.
In this, Bayless found a niche as an elite spot-up shooter, taking over half (53 percent) of his attempts from behind the arc, up from just 23 percent the previous year, and converting these looks at an astounding 43.7 percent rate, good for fifth in the league.
Fans also came to appreciate Bayless as a consummate pro, stepping up in more ways than one amid injuries and a difficult season. Not many 27-year-old journeymen are considered clubhouse leaders, but on one of the youngest teams in the NBA, Bayless preformed admirably in this role.
Jerryd also became notorious for his ability to preform when the spotlight was brightest, making 5-8 three-pointers in the “clutch”, defined as the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime with a margin of five points or less.
And who could forget his magical game-winner against the Bulls in the playoffs?
Defense was a certain sore spot for both the Bucks and Bayless, as his Defensive Box Plus-Minus and Defensive Rating ranked lowest on the team. Struggling to keep skilled drivers out of the lane, Bayless also lacked the physicality to body and bump smaller guards.
Bayless’ lack of power can also be seen in his abnormally low free-throw rate of just 20.6 percent, a number that could stand to be much higher, especially for a career 83 percent foul shooter.
Nevertheless, Bayless was undoubtedly a key contributor to the Bucks during his tenure in Milwaukee and Bucks fans have no reason to wish him anything but the best in Philadelphia, where he will once again bring playoff experience and leadership to a young, inexperienced team on the upturn.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks Reportedly Reach Agreement With Mirza Teletovic
Now, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of Bucks executives to find a quality player and leader to step into the role freshly vacated. If that’s Matthew Dellavedova who has reportedly signed an offer sheet, let’s hope he’s up to the task.