OKC Thunder: Darius Bazley needs to work on 3-point confidence

OKC Thunder rookie Darius Bazley’s injury will keep him out up to six weeks. When he returns he needs to work on his 3-point confidence.

The OKC Thunder were struck an injury blow just prior to the All-Star break. Rookie Darius Bazley suffered a bone bruise on his knee and will be out between four to six weeks. When he is back on the court he needs to work on his 3-point shooting confidence.

It would be easy to say that Bazley needs to work on his 3-point shot but it is the opinion of this scribe that Bazley is actually a good shooter from deep and that the problem with his shot is not with the mechanics but with his mind. There seems to be a mental block when he shoots. He is fine when he drives.

Earlier in the season, Bazley was passing up open looks from deep until Chris Paul had a word with him about it and he started shooting. Paul gave him confidence by saying that if he did not believe Bazley could make the shot, he would not pass the ball to him.

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While this is an awesome example of leadership by Paul, it showed that Bazley is 19 and is still finding himself in a team of solid veterans. He may have an outer display of bravado, but inside there may be some conflicting thoughts.

Bazley may have shown more playing on a losing franchise where there is less at stake. He is playing for a team that is surprising most with how they are playing and where they are sitting in the standings.

Coach Billy Donovan is doing a tremendous job playing Bazley in situations that are going to stretch him just enough to help his growth and development. He is asking that Bazley give him energy and take the shots that are there for him.

Bazley is going to give you nights where he hits 4-of-7 as he did against the Toronto Raptors or 3-of-6 as he did against the New Orleans Pelicans. He is also going to give you nights where he makes 0-of-6 as he did against the Charlotte Hornets.  This is what being a rookie is all about.

I know I speak for the majority of OKC Thunder fans when I say the development of Bazley has been a highlight in a tremendous season.

The rookie just needs to feel the confidence we all have in him and allow that to flow through his 3-point shot.