Through three preseason video games, it’s clear now greater than ever, that it’s now or by no means for Thunder ahead Darius Bazley.
With an upcoming contract yr, Bazley wants a resurgence, or even an overhaul, to stay with Oklahoma City.
Bazley has began simply certainly one of three preseason video games to date for Oklahoma City, conceding his spot to the ever-rising Aleksej Pokusevski in video games one and two. Pokusevski has regarded a superb deal extra constant by means of three video games, and is probably going in line for some massive time minutes this season.
Bazley, nonetheless, has been something however.
His first preseason efficiency was a lower than very best begin to his yr. He performed the eight-most minutes, ending 3-for-9 from the sphere with eight factors. He grabbed eight boards, dished out a pair of assists and left with a steal.
But greater than his lackluster statistical night time, was the very fact he was an entire ball-stopper.
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In a sport that featured loads of lovely Thunder ball-movement, Bazley was dead-set on pressured dribble drives, low effectivity ranged pictures and hero ball.
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Bazley’s protection will maintain him on the courtroom for the time being, nevertheless it’s merely inexcusable for a fourth-year ahead to gum up the offense in the way in which that he did within the preseason opener.
In sport two, he was extra refined.
His quick begin noticed a number of the identical tendencies that sport one did, however he rapidly settled in and have become one with the OKC offense.
His begin towards Adelaide was his greatest to date this preseason, posting 12 factors on 4-for-10 capturing, however doing a little bit of all the pieces else with six rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Most noticeably, he ebbed and flowed inside the Thunder offense, stored the ball on a continuous transferring line and performed inside himself.
The Thunder have a transparent and decisive knowledge factors to look to when evaluating Bazley’s time with the crew, and whether or not he’ll earn a long-term extension.
Games like the primary, lean a tad within the unsuitable course. But if Bazley can lean into an eventual defensive-minded, environment friendly offensive position, he’ll have a future with the Thunder.
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