Taking a closer look at OKC Thunder draft pick Darius Bazley

Let’s examine Darius Bazley from the TI Film Room

We will get into Darius Bazley’s cutting and driving ability a little bit later, but here is just an appetizer from the NBA Draft combine.

The defense at the NBA Combine is not exactly NBA level, a lot of guys are trying to impress while also not wanting to get hurt just weeks before the biggest day of their professional lives. But in this clip, you can see Darius Bazley’s ability to finish softly around the rim and alter his shot. To me, that is his best NBA skill set, his craftiness around the rim.

While that is his best skill, he is also a very good passer for his size. On this play, he uses a pump fake to get his defender in the air and act as if he is going to drive. The threat of how good he is at finishing at the rim draws in the defense and he dumps off a pass to a wide-open teammate who’s defender came off to help on Bazley. (Note: This was a very good pass, Bazley’s teammate did not expect it, and these guys do not get time to gain chemistry at the combine before playing these game.

Again, Bazley shows off his vision and passing ability, almost at the top of his shot ready to shoot the ball, Bazley finds a cutting teammate and dumps it off to him.

At times, the knock on Darius Bazley has been his defense, but in this clip you see the potential due to his size and versatility, Bazley blocks a shot at the rim and it goes perfectly to a teammate setting up a transition chance.

Again, it is important to note the pace, and effort at the combine, but this is a very good, NBA level post move at full speed.

This play is probably the most encouraging from the NBA Combine for Bazley. Darius Bazley puts the ball on the floor and get’s to the rim on his own and finishes in traffic with a soft touch. He flashes an ability to eventually be a self-creating wing that can be a great offensive weapon for the OKC Thunder down the line.

In this clip, you can get a good look at Darius Bazley’s shooting stroke as he knocks down a 3 point shot.

Can we just appreciate his pump faking and passing ability again?

And now, just enjoy these great finishes at the rim, including this first one which is almost magic.

The biggest thing that leaps off the page here is Bazley’s explosive first step towards the rim, it takes him almost no time to get a full head of steam at the rim.

This is going to be really fun to watch if he gets to play in the Summer League.

Oh, and one off the dribble three for good measure.

One thing is for sure, there will be interesting highlights from Vegas for Darius Bazley as long as he can sign a contract in time.