Australian Aron Baynes explodes for 37-points ; ‘one of the best energy raisers in the NBA’
On Friday Aron Baynes scored a career-high – and an Australian record high – 37-points against Portland which included 12-of-23 from the field and 9-of-14 from beyond the arc.
His previous best was 26-points and Australia’s previous best was 34-point performances by Patty Mills and Ben Simmons.
In the process, Baynes also tied the Phoenix Sun’s record for most 3-points in a single game (9), while adding 16 rebounds and 2 blocks for good measure. Not since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2008 has a Phoenix player scored a 35-point, 15-rebound performance.
The Queensland product (don’t tell the Kiwis he was born in New Zealand) was completely oblivious to the record he had equaled. “I had no idea about it,” Baynes told reporters after the game.
He joins James Harden as the only players ever in NBA history to hit at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight 3-pointers.
In his first six-years in the NBA he had hit only four 3-pointers, and shot at .143% in the 2017-18 season while at the Celtics. This season at the Suns he’s increased his 3-point shooting to .331% from beyond the arc.
“It was a sad day for me when we traded him…one of the best energy raisers I’ve ever been around”
Baynes played two seasons in Boston before a trade to the Suns last off-season. His explosive 37-point performance was building up. He’s put up career-high numbers this season at the Suns and has been rewarded with the most game time of his career.
Despite the trade from Boston, he’s very much missed especially by coach Brad Stevens. “It was a sad day for me when we traded him”, Stevens said of Baynes. “[A] great impact in our locker room, great impact on the court, great impact on our coaching staff…One of the best energy raisers I’ve ever been around.”
Boston have also missed Baynes physicality and hardworking ethic but it was his locker room impact that is arguably his best trait, especially for someone who could stabilize a locker room during those times of turmoil with Kyrie Irving at the Celtics.
What is Boston’s loss is a gain for Phoenix. He also know what it takes to become a champion, contributing valuable back up minutes for the 2014 NBA Championship winning San Antonio Spurs.
Whatever the hell got into Aron Baynes on Friday, Phoenix fans will be hoping he’s got more in the tank. Aussie fans will also be hoping he can replicate his form for the Boomers at the upcoming Olympics.