Off the Court: Jerryd Bayless
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
By: Calder Hynes, Hornets.com
Hornets.com caught up with New Orleans’ most recent trade acquisition, guard Jerryd Bayless. The University of Arizona product and Phoenix native discussed his background and some of his interests away from the sport of basketball.Person who has had the most influence on my basketball career: “Frank Johnson, the old head coach of the Suns. He’s been a part of my life since I was young, very young. I was friends with his daughter – his daughter and I grew up together. I’ve been close with them since I was very young.”Person who has had the most influence on my development off the court: “Probably my mom and my dad. They’ve been there for me since day one. They have taught me everything I have become. Definitely them.”Best moment in the NBA: “Probably just being in the playoffs the last few years. Being in that atmosphere and playing against those players at that level of intensity, there’s nothing like it. I love doing that.”How he chose his current uniform number: “This (32) is my high school number. I wanted to wear it in college, but it was retired by Sean Elliott and then on the Trail Blazers, it was retired by Bill Walton. But now I have the chance to get it again and get back to it.”Something fans might be surprised to know: “I’m a very good ping pong player. I’m pretty good.”Favorite thing about New Orleans: “Beignets. I love going to Café du Monde.” First job: “I haven’t really had a job. I used to work for my dad, That was probably my first job, filing. He’s a psychologist.”Favorite athlete as a kid: “Muhammad Ali, because of the way he stood up for his beliefs outside of basketball.”What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “Probably running for president.”Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “Truthfully, it would probably be guys on the Trail Blazers (where he was recently traded from). A lot of the Blazers I’m very close with. LaMarcus (Aldridge) is one of my best friends, Greg (Oden) is one of my best friends. Brandon (Roy) I’m very close with. Everybody on that team truthfully. That was a pretty tight-knit team. A lot of those guys I have great relationships with.”Favorite type of music to listen to: “Hip-hop and R&B, and my favorite artist is Wiz Khalifa.”Favorite TV show: “Martin. I was always watched it growing up.”Favorite movie of all time: “Probably The Matrix.”Favorite websites: “I go to Twitter, and that’s about it. I also iChat with my friends.”Twitter page: “I do have a Twitter account. It’s @JBay_4. I do it to promote my blog, and my friend is trying to start a clothing business, that’s why I always write #Timeless. He’s trying to start that up, so I’m trying to help him by doing whatever I can.”Facebook page: “I don’t have a Facebook. I know there’s some (fake Jerryd Bayless pages) of me, but I don’t do it.”