Darius Bazley‘s first two NBA seasons have been rocky at times, but he has the chance to put it all behind him this upcoming season. Oklahoma City Thunder fans have had the opportunity to see Bazley’s flashes of potential over the last two years, but he has not found consistency. Bazley took a leap heading into the NBA Bubble two years ago shooting 47.6 percent from beyond the arc. He also improved on defense which made him look like a much more complete player, but last year he struggled and his efficiency declined.
Why Did Bazley Play Well in the Bubble?
Rather than taking poor threes or forcing up drives at the rim, Bazley was more patient and found better looks. His assist numbers went up in the bubble as a result. Bazley dished out 1.2 per game, which may not sound like much, but it was a step up for him. Thunder head coach at the time, Billy Donovan, explained the reason he made more of his looks is “because he’s taking better shots.” Bazley was figuring out the game and it was coming naturally for him. He did not need to force shots since he saw the court better. “The game is starting to slow down a little bit for me,” said Bazley in the bubble. “What’s the defense giving me? Do I have a shot? Do I have a drive? Or do I just pass?”
Bazley also took strides on defense, an area he has always looked to improve. He improved significantly in one-on-one situations and was constantly tested each night. Did Bazley shut down everyone he guarded? No, but he was significantly better in Orlando. Bazley did a great job of cutting off drives while avoiding fouls. He used his length to get blocks, showing off his upside on that end of the floor. Many times, he was tasked with guarding the opposing center, or even their small forward, his versatility on defense was the key to his success in the bubble.
How Bazley Can Replicate his Bubble Success?
If Bazley can improve his patience as he did in the bubble, he has a chance to break out next year. As a result of Chris Paul and other key players’ departures last year, Bazley was thrust into a larger role; his usage jumped by 7.4 percent from 2019 to 2020. The increased usage can explain many of his struggles. Although Bazley displayed nice potential with the ball in his hands, he is not much of a creator for others so although his assist percentage improved, he reverted many times to poor shots or tough drives.
With a year under his belt learning how to play with the ball in his hands and an offseason to study the tape and focus on areas of improvement, Bazley has a straight path to a breakout. Many fans are criticizing him, saying that he already had an offseason to improve, but during last year’s offseason, the Thunder roster was revamped and his role changed. This year, their roster is similar to the last and his role will likely be the same. Bazley’s work ethic is excellent and with a blueprint of success for him, the sky is the limit for Bazley in 2021.
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