Aron Baynes deserves his own thread

[Valid]

I was just having a brief discussion with sam_i_am in the GT about Baynes' value to this team, and we both agreed that he needs to be a big-time priority for us this offseason. Let's face it: Embiid isn't going anywhere, and we are going to need someone to defend him on the block. Baynes has done a remarkable job on him this series and should be our primary defender on him moving forward.

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0:07 - Embiid tries to get deep position, but Baynes meets him at the point of attack, bodies him up and stonewalls him. The result is Embiid having to work from the high post, leading to some overdribbling which allows Baynes to swipe at the ball and for Tatum to come over and double.

0:25 - They try to run Baynes through a Redick screen to free up Embiid. Baynes tosses Redick aside as little more than a hindrance as Embiid catches the ball about 17 feet from the basket and faces up. Baynes stays with him, bodies him up on the back down and forces a tough shot.

0:37 - Baynes has to help on Simmons as the kid had a step on Morris, but then gets back into position when the ball finds Embiid, puts his hands up and Embiid runs into him and can't even move him. He has to take a tough baby hook a little out of comfortable range.

0:46 - Baynes gets his hand in there and knocks the ball away from Embiid, forcing Embiid to kick it out. The 76ers then go to the repost, but Baynes holds his ground and forces a contested jumper.

1:03 - Redick screens Baynes again, perhaps trying to force a switch. Both Baynes and Smart do a solid job sticking to their man. Embiid gets the ball in the post, faces up and tries a series of moves on Baynes, but ultimately ends up getting driven back by Baynes on his awkward shot attempt.

1:15 - Once again, Redick sets the screen, but I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish because he never even came close to forcing the switch. Embiid faces up once again with the shot clock running down and can't get a shot off. Baynes is pumped.

1:32 - Baynes somehow gets called for the foul, but at this point, he is getting in Embiid's head. He gives him a subtle shove after the whistle and Embiid turns around and starts jawing at Baynes, to which Baynes, with his G self, only responds "What? What? What?" He was also smiling the whole time.

3:12 - Again, Baynes forces the catch from the high post, leading to Embiid forcing up a wild shot. Foul gets called on Smart, but Baynes did a tremendous job.

Embiid then started jawing at Baynes on the bench when Tatum almost yammed on his ass. Baynes was DEFINITELY in Embiid's head.

Fellas, we need Baynes back.

The question is, what would you all be willing to pay him?

[thelarrybirdx]

I've never been a big Baynes guy. In fact, I thought he was absolute trash in the regular season, but he's been very valuable this postseason. The defense on Embiid this series has been awesome to watch. I'm all for resigning him next year, assuming it won't cost us losing Smart.

[GWVan]

At one of the post game conferences Brad lumped him in with Al as the veteran leaders, opens my eyes a bit. He does have the experience and a ring to boot

[darrendaye]

The 3 point shooting moved the needle for Baynes. I do think that, if resigned, he might find his role a little more diminished or situation specific with Theis having a year of experience and, hopefully, using this rehab time to strength train like Hayward seems to have. Baynes is much, much, more mobile than you would think and he hustles end to end. If his 3-ball is more than a mirage, the only key skill he lacks is the ability to drive off closeouts. That's where Theis will have the advantage. His toughness, though, much like Marcus, can be contagious.

[klemen4]

Yes, great defense...must keep him.

Imo we can get resign him giving 20% on this year salary, thats about 5 million. Doubt he gets 8,3 mle offer...still if he gets it imo he remains with us for 5 million.

[Gant]

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[SMTBSI]

Horford / Baynes / Theis center depth chart looks pretty legit to me. Something for every matchup.

And all three should get enough burn with Al logging plenty of minutes at the 4.

May or may not be affordable indefinitely, but, should work at least for next year, which ought to be an all-in year.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I appreciate any player who contests every dunk attempt instead of a guy who runs away because he doesn't want to be on a highlight. Sadly, the former is getting tougher and tougher to find nowadays.

I like Baynes. Good teammate, doesn't cry about playing time, plays hard, won't back down from anyone and backs up his guys, and that 3 point shot is coming. Hope he's back next year.

[TheTruth316]

Baynes and Theis are very valuable bigs. We are lucky to have them. Imagine how good we are if we have them both with Al.

[sam_I_am]

Thanks for starting this thread Valid! As I said elsewhere, signing Baynes should be priority #1 this offseason. We all know he has limitations but he is rapidly becoming my favorite role player of all time - no disrespect to KPerk, Tony Allen, Smart and Eddie House. Without him our team is vulnerable. He is really tough and he sets a tone for us. Without him, Embiid will run rough shod over us for a decade. Baynes has an amazing attitude, an incredibly entertaining and refreshing on court demeanor and a championship proven mettle. The sudden development of a 3 point shot and an already outstanding midrange set shot makes him an exceptional asset that I would hate to lose.

[djFan71]

I've never gotten the Baynes hate in game threads, or wanting Monroe over him. The guy is perfect complement to Horford. Does all the dirty work, plays hard, does his job. Doesn't whine when Brad starts a rookie 2nd round pick over him in the playoffs. Absorbs all the bumping and banging from Embiid and laughs at him while doing it. You just need players like him.

I think resigning him and Smart to good deals, and moving Morris & Nader for salary room is the baseline offseason. If the Lakers pick conveys or a big trade comes up that may change, but if Danny just does that, we're in awesome shape next year.

[klemen4]

I think resigning him and Smart to good deals, and moving Morris & Nader for salary room is the baseline offseason. If the Lakers pick conveys or a big trade comes up that may change, but if Danny just does that, we're in awesome shape next year.

I think we can keep both ( we will be around 14 million under luxury tax) Baynes for 5 million and Smart for 10 million....if we get rid of Nader and probably Yabu we can stay under luxury tax.

I want a bench of smart, terry, morris, theis, baynes.

10 deep plus Semi and veteran pg (Larkin or minimum vet sign) for depth.

[Green89]

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Try telling the ESPN knuckleheads that.

[Fencer reregistered]

Baynes is growing on me this postseason.

[djFan71]

I think resigning him and Smart to good deals, and moving Morris & Nader for salary room is the baseline offseason. If the Lakers pick conveys or a big trade comes up that may change, but if Danny just does that, we're in awesome shape next year.

I think we can keep both ( we will be around 14 million under luxury tax) Baynes for 5 million and Smart for 10 million....if we get rid of Nader and probably Yabu we can stay under luxury tax.

I want a bench of smart, terry, morris, theis, baynes.

10 deep plus Semi and veteran pg (Larkin or minimum vet sign) for depth.

If we can, sure, but with Hayward back, minutes will be pretty sparse for Morris. And I think the team wants to grow Semi more, so I wouldn't be shocked to see Morris moved and your 10 is with him rather than Morris. Yabs is a good call as well, though. Could be one or the other salary wise. It's pretty unlikely both he & Morris return.

[Ed Pinkney]

I've never been a big Baynes guy. In fact, I thought he was absolute trash in the regular season, but he's been very valuable this postseason. The defense on Embiid this series has been awesome to watch. I'm all for resigning him next year, assuming it won't cost us losing Smart.

I would say he is not really doing a whole lot different now than he was during the regular season, so this comment seems a little confusing to me.

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Try telling the ESPN knuckleheads that.

If you are going to build a majority of your game around gritty defence, taking charges and protecting the rim then it's going to happen. Especially playing multiple games against players like Giannis and Embiid.

Nice contrast between what someone like LeBron who is happy for the highlight chase down block but see him do his sneaky "look like he is defending but actually getting out of the way" thing.

[GuyClinch]

Always liked Baynes - moves well and is very strong, tough and intelligent. Not a great leaper - but not earth bound either.. Very solid player. Not very confident mid range when it comes to shooting though..

[Valid]

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I've always said that if you're getting dunked on a lot, it means you are playing defense and trying to contest the shot. I would rather see Baynes contest the shot and get dunked on rather than clear the way just to avoid a poster (LeBron is a big culprit of this).

[Valid]

If you are going to build a majority of your game around gritty defence, taking charges and protecting the rim then it's going to happen. Especially playing multiple games against players like Giannis and Embiid.

Nice contrast between what someone like LeBron who is happy for the highlight chase down block but see him do his sneaky "look like he is defending but actually getting out of the way" thing.

Absolutely. Seeing him scurry out of the way when Durant was coming full steam ahead on a fast break earlier this year was pretty indicative of how LeBron is in those situations.

[reload141]

Super important. Does anything and everything the team needs, the ultimate dirty work guy.

He will never complain about touches in offence or getting dunked on. Durable.

Unfortunately I think he’ll get better offers, but they 100% want to bring him back.