The obviously undersized point guard David Bailey, is coming off one of his best outings on the season for the Idaho Stampede against the Dakota Wizards Monday night, dropping 22 points and dishing out 5 assists while adding 3 steals. The 5-foot-8-inch, 165 pound Bailey doesn’t immediately strike you as an NBA body, yet his on the court skills and capabilities could benefit an NBA squad looking to add experienced depth at the position. Bailey is currently running point for the Stampede and playing for his former teammate Randy Livingston, the two played together for the same team in the 2003-04 season when Idaho was a CBA team. In the last three games for the Stampede, Bailey has posted solid numbers and further proves that success in the D-League starts with a talented, and savvy point guard.
Looking at the current standings in the D-League the top 4 teams in the league boast excellent play from the point guard position. Some may argue the D-League is stacked at the guard position, but having a floor general who has played in 170 plus D-League games in addition to numerous international stints carries added value. The Stampede at the moment are a far reach from the top 4 teams, but from recent trips to CenturyLink arena it is difficult to look past the leadership qualities that Bailey exudes while on the court. Bailey doesn’t ever look to completely take over games, but when needed, he is always there to add his D-League veteran skills when the Stampede need him to.
In a league where “development” is the overriding mantra having a player like Bailey is invaluable for a squad. Bailey has never been at the center of the basketball spotlight, but his on the court experience is what makes him such a unique addition especially to a D-League roster. Bailey enjoyed a large amount of success for the Loyola Ramblers achieving Horizon League scoring and assist champion honors, while also being selected to the Horizon League All-Tournament team. Bailey went undrafted out of college, but since 2003 has been able to make a career out of playing basketball albeit never at the NBA level.
Since joining Livingston and the Idaho Stampede, Bailey has accomplished what he set out to do for the club, distributing the ball and supplying Coach Livingston with a coach on the floor. Bailey is averaging 6.0 assists a game to go with slightly under 10 points per contest. While most of the attention is directed towards the next potential “call-up” in the D-League, a player like Bailey can easily go unnoticed, but if you were to ask any of Bailey’s teammates about his value going unnoticed they would surely tell you otherwise.
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