Things on my Mind
I’ve been wanting to do this blog for a while now, but it seems like something has always come up or I have ended up forgetting about it. There are so many things on my mind today that I would love to share with you and see what you think, as well. Many of you are probably wondering what I'm going to be talking about through out these blogs. I can assure you basketball might be one of the last things on the list. I've always considered myself much more than a basketball player and feel like this blog is a perfect way to show that. I think the best way to start this blog is to really tell you about me and for you to really get to know me not the image that the media portrays of me or what you get to see on the court. First, I want to clear up the fact that I am an angry guy who is arrogant. I have heard this so many times the last couple years in Portland and it is the farthest thing from me. Yeah I am in a tough situation at the moment, but I love life way too much to just be mad. You look around the world and the times that we are in, and for me to just be mad when I've been blessed to play in the NBA is very untrue.
On the court at times, I can agree that I do become very intense, but off the court I could be one of the quietest people you’ll ever meet unless I know you. This has been something I have wanted to clear up for awhile.It’s kind of funny to me that I ended up being a professional basketball player, considering the way my family is structured. My Mother is a counselor/teacher at a community college in Phoenix. My Dad is a forensic Psychologist and has owned his own clinic in Phoenix for over 30 years. My brother recently quit Wall-street to be the CFO of my Father’s company. Besides my Mom, who takes early morning runs, and
my brother, who played sports but never really took it serious enough to go past high school, there was never a large emphasis on athletics in my family when I was growing up. The thing with my parents was all school. Now, I know you hear a lot of athletes say that their parents wouldn’t let them play or hang out after school until they got their homework done. My parents would take it to the next level -- not letting me earn more than one B on my report card without being grounded. They gradually changed when I got to high school because of all the traveling that I had to do, but I knew not to play when it came to academics. I look at a lot of my friends, and their parents weren’t as strict with them. When I see what they are doing, it makes me thank my parents so much more. I’m not really the type of person that is really mushy mushy with my family, but I can’t explain how much I do love them. I know sometimes they question what I really care about because I am so focused on trying to be great at this game, but they literally mean the world to me. I’m talking about my whole family from my Mom, Dad, Brother, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Grandparents.
In my very short life I have been blessed with many people around me that have already been on the same NBA journey that I am beginning. Frank Johnson (the former coach of the Suns) has been the reason I have grown to be the player I am today. He has taught me the values and all the necessary things I needed to know to make it to this level. I remember calling him every day and asking him to go work out with me, and every day I called he was there. I consider him a second father, and there isn’t anything in this world that I really think I could do to repay him for what he has done. Next is a former self-proclaimed shooter named Eddie Johnson. I grew up playing in local tournaments with his son, and our relationship grew through the years. Although he wasn’t there every day at 5 am with Frank, he was always there to guide me through the ins and outs of this business. When he would show up to the gym, he would usually try to outshoot me, which always ended in a loss for him because I know the one thing to say to him to make him miss (lol). I wish I could tell you guys what it is, but he would literally kill me (hahahaha).Well, this is my first of many blogs to come. Keep coming back once a week to check it out!
JB
39 comments:
I've never even heard of any angry/arrogant stereotypes about you. Where do you get these things? All the rumors about Bayless are more like "UNLEASH THE BEAST!" because we know you have some kickass talent ready to be let out once you get more playing time. Do you read blazersedge.com, by the way?
Jerryd,
Ive never seen you as angry.... I find you to be competitive, and thats a great thing for this team, and indeed the city of Portland rarely do I believe what the media tells me as too often they use spin or voice opinion instead of facts.
Keep working hard in practice. youll pass Blake eventually. and Miller's ankles could also be an oppurtunity
Thanks for read my thoughts,
Ryan
Jerryd
It’s nice to get to know you a little bit better then what I see at the games. I never imagined that you were an angry person just competitive.
Have a great game and I wish you luck on Mondays game.
Brianna
yay i like seeing behind the scenes to people i think would be pretty cool to know.
Sweet, it's good to hear about your life off the court. Us Portland fans are way, way, way too into every single aspect of the Blazers, no matter how small. I'm looking forward to hearing some thoughts about the world and not just the NBA.
Really appreciate the post, Jerryd, and your thoughts on your family. Sounds like your parents are cool people.
Hang in there. Not all of us think you're angry -- in fact, I don't think most of us see you that way.
And a lot of us are lobbying for you to get more playing time. Love our current starting PG in a lot of ways, and he was great last year, but your defense and quickness are desperately needed on this team. I'm hoping the coaches start to see this and make a shift.
Until next time ---
I agree with Liam R.
I have never heard one thing bad about you, other then comments on your assist/turnover ratio on oregonlive.com but thats it, and thats probably because you're not getting decent minutes, I really wish you received more playing time then the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter against teams like Minnesota.
I really think(as do probably most of the portland fanbase) that you should play in the second unit. You could guard the faster guards of the league like Aaron Brooks better then Blake or Miller.
Keep fighting for those minutes man! I'll always be your fan.
Jerryd,
I have herd that your arrogant because there were talking about when GP came to that practice or whatever it was and hung out and they said you were good friends and wondered if it was good or bad but GP is the man. But i always felt you were just competitive watching you in college and whenever you get in the game with a big lead or not you are always playing hard and it shows.
I love your explosiveness as a player and i am glad as a person you got your head on straight and appreciate the opportunity you have in the league.
You are the man, Bayless. Love your attitude and recognition. Your past gives you the tools you need and your talent gives you your path, which of course we hope includes starting on several Blazer champion teams, but even if not...getting to read stuff like this lets us all know how much you rock.
Thanks for giving the fans insight into your life. The Cherokee used to have a ball game they played that they called "Little brother to war." In some ways, it's a very apt metaphor for sports, it's like a proxy for the city-state wars and tribal raids of days gone by. The Blazers are "our team" and they represent "us." Especially since they are the only sport in town. A lot of people get very emotionally invested in the team and that's a hard thing to deal with as a young player with great potential. It is a great thing that you should share these parts of your life with people who only know you for your ability to play a game. It takes a lot of courage, because fans can take the slightest thing out of context and then you have a PR nightmare.
You're a brave man,
~Nathan
P.S. Let me know if you ever have any questions about what law school is like, I'm a 2L at the moment. You can DM me on twitter @hurrakane212
Cool. Tell me more. Whats your fave restaurant in this burg? ric
Jerryd, I can't say how cool it is that you're sharing this aspect of your life with your fans. I like that it's not going to be strictly basketball and strictly Blazers. It makes me excited to get to know you better through your own words and not news stories or anything. I love your positive attitude and outlook on things, that's something we can all learn from! :)
-Anna
Very cool Jerryd. I don't know anyone who thinks you are arrogant, or mean - I hope that you don't worry too much about that. We love having you o the team here in Portland. What do you think of our fair city? I hope you continue on this blog. Just make sure you keep Twitter users updated on new posts.
Excited to see what’s up in your life besides basketball. First blog is radicool.
Blogging is indeed a good way to keep your mind active and your writing skills from atrophying. I applaud you for it.
You come across actually much as I imagined you to be, someone who's very driven but also very grounded. You seem like someone with some perspective, which I think is rare for someone your age and in your position. Very rare, in fact. It's one of the reasons I've always liked you as a player and why I'm absolutely convinced that you will have a long career in the NBA.
I'm sure it's frustrating for you now, but at some point you're going to get your break and before you know it, this uncertain period will be a distant memory. Just remember that when Brandon Roy was your age, he was coming off the bench in college. Whether it's with the Blazers or somewhere else (and I certainly hope it's here), you're gonna succeed.
You seem like such a great guy...You are so much more than an incredible basketball player, your so deep, intelligent, and inspirational.
We #4 fans can't wait to see more of you on and off the court!
Love your blog Jerryd. As a blazer fan, I love what you do on the court. Sooner than later this team will realize what an incredible player you are. Just keep on working hard. Good things wil l continue to follow.
My impression of you hasn't been anger or arrogance - I have been struck by how hard you're working off the court even though the stars haven't lined up to get you the experience you need most - on the post. I totally appreciate your work ethic and patience., and I am looking forward to the days when it all pays off in the games.
I've heard some people say you are arrogant, but I've never thought so myself. I think it's pretty sad how people are always judging people like they know them when in reality they have never even met the person, or gotten the time to get to know know them for themselves.
you're a good guy though, anyone can tell even from reading this.
good luck with the season!:) glad you're getting some PT cause I love watching you play out on the court. your passion for basketball definitely shows when you ball, and it's definitely contagious.
P.S I really really think I can beat you at ping pong :)
Hey jerryd
Work hard and step up to be our point guard for the future yeah. with your speed and scoring ability, you complement roy well. You're still young and the nba will be your playground soon. Hope to see you grow with the team with roy, lamarcus and oden. (:
P.S: tell nate he sucks as a coach.
Thanks for sharing Jerryd.
Ben
Jerryd,
Thank you for sharing this! I'm looking forward to your next post. Keep up all the hard work cause there's many people watching you! Your very talented and I'm looking forward to seeing you play a ton more! :] last season my bf wrote you a letter about me having surgery and you called me lol so sorry I didn't believe it was you!! But you made my year by doing that! I've got tix to the mephis game and I'm crossing my fingers you'll be playin!
Really good insight into you as a person and player, Jerryd. Hang in there, keep taking it hard to the hoop, and your time will come. Much like Greg Oden on the defensive end, the game changes when you're in there, attacking the rim.
I'm glad to see you're as thoughtful off the court as you are aggressive on it.
We need your energy and penetration skills SO BAD right now. Hope you get more minutes.
Thanks for the blog, man! You do seem pretty reserved with the media and in general but thats perfectly cool. I hope you do know that the only reason that Portland has so much scrutiny on you is because we REALLY want you to succeed. Keep your head up and keep taking it to the rack! We dont need another jump shooter, we need a guy like you attacking the cup.
Thanks for the insight, and keep 'em coming, Jerryd. We need the intensity and desire you bring irrespective of the circumstances.
Jerryd, the Blog'z awesome. I've always thought you've handled the lack of playing time extremely professionally. My real fear with the situation is that us blazer fans wont get to see you flourish. I hope the coaching staff figures out a way to get you involved within the next season, becuase whenever you're in the game, I'm always pumped. Keep up the awesome play and hopefully I'll get to see you in that starting spot next to B-Roy someday within the next couple seasons.
"First, I want to clear up the fact that I am an angry guy who is arrogant."
If that is indeed not true, then you would be clearing up the MYTH, not the FACT.
You're wasting away on Portland's bench.... lobby publicly for a trade to the Cavs :)
Jerryd, thanks for the blog, very insightful. You know it's not that uncommon for a second year PG to play 8 mins per game or less on a playoff team, behind two veterans. So hang in there, you'll get your chance! It's a long career.
Jerryd,
Really good to see you posting up here. I mean, not that any of us, fans, the public, whoever, are entitled to know any more about you than we already do, because we aren't. But I really appreciate seeing your words out there because although the media spotlight puts you in everyone's eyeballs, it won't ever paint a balanced portrait of who you are.
Some folks adapt naturally to the media relationship, and manage to gain a certain level of control over how they're portrayed. That portrayal might not be accurate, but at least they can influence it... but that requires one of those highly extroverted types of personalities that is already comfortable being the center of attention and "working the crowd."
OTOH, blogging is a great outlet for people who don't fit that description, or who have a better knack with the written word over the spoken one. I hope you'll enjoy posting up here as much as we'll enjoy hearing your perspective on the team, the league, or whatever else. I read recently that you're helping promote the Chess for Success program here in P-town. Would love to hear more about your experiences with that program and your personal experiences with the "sport of kings."
P.S. I've never thought you were an angry guy, but you DO have a very intense demeanor on the court. The only NBA player I can think of who looks more like he's gonna murder somebody while playing is Kobe. Over time I think that intimidation factor will be an asset to your game.
Jerryd,
I'm so excited that all of the posts before mine have been positive. Like so many of the past posters, I get extra excited when you're in the game. A player who had as great of a summer league you had last year could have certainly gone the route of negativity. The fact that a player of your talent is not pouting, but being grateful to be in the NBA speaks wonders about you as a person. You'll do great things in the NBA and I too hope it's with Portland. Best Wishes!
-Derek
Jerryd
It is what it is and
- cream raises to the top
- you can't keep a good man down
Continue to preserver and you will eventually become victorious
Cousin Rick Bayless
I don't think you're arrogant just because you always win best dressed at the games :) Glad they kept you around, you seem like a great guy on and off the court!
Crazy that not one person has mentioned Arizona on this blog. I've loved Wildcat basketball for longer than I can remember and you were/are one of my favorite players to watch. I really hope that you don't regret going to U of A because of what happened with Lute and O'Neill because Arizona fans still wish you the best of luck and are very thankful for your season in Tucson. We all wish Lute could have continued, but you handled the situation like a man and made the best out of an unfortunate situation.
I loved seeing you at the UCLA game last year supporting the team and I hope that continues because Miller would love to have you around the program. I'm traveling up to watch the Oregon and Oregon St. games in January and catching you play Orlando on the Friday between. It would be great if you could make it to one of the games in Corvallis or Eugene.
For what it's worth, Salim is my favorite Cat of all time and he played four years, and you played one year and are still at the top of my list as well. It makes me smile thinking about what it could've been like last year with you, Brandon, Jordan, Chase, and Nic with Lute coaching, but nobody will ever know, and that's ok. I know you will be great in the NBA and I know myself and a lot of Arizona fans will continue to enjoy watching you play.
Hey Jerryd! Glad you started a blog.
I've never thought of you as arrogant. Quite the opposite actually. You *should* be angry about the minutes you are getting. It's quite ridiculous. I live in Portland but find myself wishing you'd get traded somewhere else that will actually play you. It's very frustrating. You are both my husband's and my favorite Blazer. Then we say we think you are the future of the Blazers. Selfishly I'd love to see that happen. But honestly I just want to see you play. Wherever that has to happen. I have no idea what on earth is going thru Nate's mind. You are the spark we need. You are just plain FUN to watch. Everytime you make a huge play we just rewind it high-fiving each other.
Just wanted you to know that.
I look forward to your future posts. =)
good post bro. i can relate to your situation about people portraying you as an angry person. i'm going through the same thing right now on my college team. on the court, i'm known as the hot headed kid from the city and off the court i'm known as the arrogant, anti-social kid from Detroit. both couldn't be anymore further from the truth. the truth is on the court, i'm an aggressive, physical player who gets into the game and plays with an intense passion every time i step on the floor. it's always business when i'm out there and i take my business very seriously. off the court, because of my environment growing up, i'm to myself if i don't know you. i'm not anti-social, i'm just very aware of the crowd i keep and the company i let in my circle. it's nothing personal against people, it's just to protect me. as for the arrogant part, i was always told to be confident in what i can do. now don't get me wrong, i am no D-1 NCAA all-american or even any division all-american but with the work i put in, i will be one day hopefully and i'll be as humble then as i am today. with that being said,i completely understand how you feel and what you're going through and you shouldn't let that get to you. i'm looking forward to your next blog and you've inspired me to do one now. look out for me!
Leon Mitchell
Rochester College(MI) #4
When you first came to Portland my first impression was that of a little arrogant, but only because you have this intense serious look that is easily mistaken for those traits. The more I watch you the more I like, your intensity and drive is well aprieciated. I'm so glad we are past the era of the Jailblazers and that we finally have quality players in Portland like yourself.
You sound like a smart young man, and if I were 20 years younger and single, I'd have a serious crush on you. Sorry, that sounded juvenile. Anyway, have you considered taking college courses? I doubt you have much time, but it's good to stretch your mind. I'm very happy to hear you want to talk about more than basketball, even though it would be really interesting to get a peak into your thoughts about team, teammates, etc... I'm sure it could get you in trouble, though. I too hope that you get more consistent playing time to get a chance to develop your skills. You're strong, a great leaper, and are fearless. Keep working on your j and it will come, unfortunatley maybe somewhere besides Portland, but I sure hope not. Hold your head up.
Karen
Jerryd, i hope you read this.. My name's Alli, and you are my favorite Trail Blazer by far. You know how to play the game, when to take your shots and when to pass them, and be and all around team spirit. Anways, you've been my favorite since last year, and inspired me to play basketball in high school. So, i went to the game tonight, and got there early enough to get some autographs. Fortunately, i was able to get my idols autograph. Yours. I though my heart was going to pound out of my chest, and since i had nothing for you to write on, you signed my hand. I will tell you now, this has made my whole year. I look up to you so much, and i really hope that i actually get to meet you someday. Thanks for being so awesome and so willing to sign my hand(:
Thanks
Alli
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