Skyforce guard knows nothing but success in the CBA
Published on March 30, 2005 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (March 30, 2005) â When it comes to successful players in the Continental Basketball Association, look no further than Sioux Falls Skyforce point guard David Bailey. Over his first, and only, two seasons in the CBA, all Bailey has done is win, while picking up a few personal accolades along the way.
Playing in his second CBA Finals in as many seasons, Bailey has led the Skyforce to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five-game series against the Rockford Lightning, with a chance to capture the CBA Title in Game Three on Thursday at the Rockford MetroCentre. Last season, as a rookie, he led the Idaho Stampede to a tie for the best regular season record (34-14), and the second-best quarter-point total (205.5). He also helped lead his team to the 2004 CBA Finals game against the Dakota Wizards, though the Stampede came up short, losing 132-129.
A lot of players would take such early success for granted. The 5-foot-10 guard from the University of Loyola-Chicago, however, has managed to keep it all in perspective.
"It feels great," remarked Bailey before Game One of the 2005 Finals. "It is a huge accomplishment, but by no means was it easy either year. This year we had a great battle with Dakota in the Conference Finals, and we did all the things we needed to win. It is really tough to stay focused throughout a season, and you have to be playing your best basketball at the right times.
"I realize that this is a fortunate opportunity, and I plan on making the most of it."
So far, Bailey has kept good on his word to make the most of his opportunities. Last season, he posted 25 points and three assists in 32 minutes of action for the Stampede in the Championship contest. That came on the heels of being named the 2004 CBA Rookie of the Year after finishing third in the league in assists (7.5 per game, 358 total), and posting 12.9 points per game. He played in all 48 regular season contests, and started eight.
This year, through the first two games of the Finals, he is averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game. In Sioux Falls' 150-132 Game Two victory, Bailey notched just the league's fourth triple-double of the season after posting 35 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Skyforce.
For most of the 2004-05 season, however, the Chicago native was a role player coming off the bench to give veteran guard Randy Livingston some rest. On March 3rd, though, Livingston was called-up to the NBA's Utah Jazz; which meant that Bailey would be called upon to carry the Skyforce's postseason hopes on his shoulders.
Now, with his experience from last year carrying over to the current postseason, Sioux Falls Head Coach Dave Joerger knows that he can count on his point guard to step up in big game situations.
"Playing in the finals last year has definitely helped him prepare for this series," stated Joerger, who is gunning for his third CBA Title in four seasons. "He has always made the best of every opportunity here, whether it be coming off the bench or starting. Right now, he is being rewarded for that hard work and he has really been playing excellent the past few weeks."
Now, with anywhere from one to three games left in the 2004-05 season, Bailey knows exactly what needs to be done to finish the season on a high note, and bring the Jay Ramsdell Championship Trophy to the city of Sioux Falls for the first time since 1996.
"I will do whatever I can to bring home a championship for my teammates and our fans," added Bailey. "We are a close group and we all know our roles. It has been great in Sioux Falls this season, both on and off the court, and we had a great regular season that we are just trying to cap off with a championship. We are all determined and focused on that goal.
"I have really enjoyed my time here this year. It has been great."
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from March 30, 2005
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