The talented 21-year-old Jerryd Bayless has been a very strong asset off the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers this season in his second year as a pro.  Bayless has improved in nearly every statistical category from his rookie season to this season, and is getting more minutes because of it.  Bayless still is not shooting for a very good percentage this year at 41% from the field and 30% from three-point land, but it is a big improvement from his rookie year of 36% shooting and 26% from three.  Last year he averaged only 4.3 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and only 12.4 minutes.  This year he is averaging 8.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 18.2 minutes.  He has been playing even better this month, scoring in double-figures in 6 of 10 games, and has been getting even more minutes because of it.  Bayless looks to have a very bright future ahead of him and Trail Blazer fans should be excited for what is to come from Bayless.

The Trailblazers will be without starting shooting guard Brandon Roy for at least a week due to a plasma injection to his hamstring. He has played in 40 games (all starts) this season for the Trailblazers and he is averaging 38.3 minutes, 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Roy is the one player the Trailblazers just can’t afford to lose so they should ease him back giving him the proper time to heal. Steve Blake is likely off the trade block now because he will start in Roy’s place. He has played in 40 games (25 starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 28.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Rudy Fernandez will also likely see a bump in playing time while Roy is out of action. He has played in 26 games (0 starts) for the Trailblazers this season and he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Blake & Fernandez will likely do a good job for the Blazers but make no mistake this is not a playoff team without Brandon Roy, period.

Back-up point guard Steve Blake is probably on the trading block as the Blazers on are the hunt for a big man. He has played in 40 games (25 starts) for the Trailblazers this year and he is averaging 28.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. While the Blazers prefer to trade Blake it might cost them starting point guard Andre Miller if they want a starting frontcourt player (most likely a center). If Miller gets moved in a trade then Blake would likely return to the starting line-up at the point.

The Trailblazers have finally got smart by putting Andre Miller in the starting line-up at point guard. In his last five games for the Blazers he is averaging 36.2 minutes, 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Miller has shot 57.4% from the floor in his last five contests and 78.6% from the free throw line as he is turning into a team leader by example. He has now played in 41 games (25 starts) this season for the Trailblazers and he is averaging 29.0 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Miller makes all of the players around him better with his unselfish play.

Starting power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is the #2 option offensively for the Trailblazers behind Brandon Roy and he does a solid job for them. Aldridge has played in 36 games (all starts) for the Blazers this season and he is averaging 35.6 minutes, 15.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Aldridge is a solid player for the Blazers but they would be much better if he could take his game up just one notch.