Seems like old times.
Guard David Bailey pulled on a Stampede uniform and played basketball in front of Idaho fans for the first time since 2004 on Monday night.
His home debut didn’t go as he had hoped, however, as the Stampede fell to the Reno Bighorns 120-98 at Century-Link Arena.
“It’s getting frustrating,” coach Randy Livingston said. “I never know which team is going to show up. But we’ve got to find a level of consistency on the defensive end and energy-wise, the things we can control. … We’ve got to get going here, and I think David is part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
Bailey was acquired in mid-December in trade with Sioux Falls for Dontell Jefferson. He played two games in Reno before Monday’s game, averaging 14.5 points and 9.0 assists in those two contests. The shifty, 5-foot-8 point guard had 17 points and five assists Monday as Reno led wire-to-wire.
“Once we get our chemistry going, we’ll be all right,” Bailey said.
Bailey played his first professional season in Idaho when the Stampede were a CBA team. He played with Livingston during that 2003-04 season and was named the CBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 12.9 points and 7.5 assists in 48 games.
Since then, Bailey has been the very definition of a journeyman basketball player. He’s played in Australia, France, Estonia and Poland. He’s also played more than 170 games in the D-League.
“It’s been a great journey, and I’m happy to be back here trying to help Randy out,” Bailey said.
Livingston said he hopes Bailey can help his team bring a more consistent effort night in and night out.
“I’m just going to be the one to distribute the ball and be on those guys when they need to be getting on,” Bailey said. “Sometimes we put our heads down and go into a shell, and I’m just here to be a leader and help guide these guys.”
He also said he knows what his new coach expects of him.
“Randy was always a pass-first, score second point guard,” Bailey said. “I’m just trying to bring that mentality here.”
Livingston trusts that Bailey will do just that.
“I watched him grow and helped him grow,” Livingston said. “Now I like him running what I want run. He’s like a coach on the floor.”
NOTES: Idaho forward Willie Jenkins missed his first game of the season because of an injury suffered in Reno on Friday night. He’s expected to be out a minimum of two weeks. … Seth Tarver led the Stampede with 19 points. Antoine Walker had a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) but also went 0-for-5 from 3-point range. … Center Will Foster started for the first time. … Idaho’s next home game is Jan. 13 against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
