OKC Thunder: Darius Bazley is emerging as legitimate two-way player

After missing 16 games with a fractured scapula, OKC Thunder forward Darius Bazley has returned to the hardwood and demonstrating palpable growth.

This evening, the youngster will attempt to expand on his breakout week and deliver a third consecutive standout performance. Since his return, he’s showcasing an improved offensive package aggressively seeking his shot and providing lockdown defense.

In back-to-back games, Darius Bazley established a career-best point tally of 26 points. Against the Wizards on Monday, that included 13 trips to the free-throw line. Baz also pulled down seven rebounds and dished three assists.

On Wednesday, he replicated his 26-point scoring output and got to the line for nine free throws. Again, he was on the glass pulling down nine rebounds and added two assists.

While the point total was a career-best, the shooting efficiency was far from ideal. Against Washington, he shot 36.8 percent (7 of 19). Versus Indiana, it was worse as he took 25 shots hitting only nine (36 percent).

OKC Thunder forward Bazley development showing a positive upswing

Since returning to the court after an extended absence Bazley has appeared in seven games. He’s still shaking off the rust particularly from the perimeter. He shot well from deep against the 76ers (3 of 4) and Raptors (3 of 5). But overall his perimeter shooting in those seven matches hasn’t been strong (10 of 41) shooting 24.3 percent overall.

The positives are clear, he’s being aggressive getting to the line and on the glass. While seven games is a small sample size there is tangible growth on display.

Through the initial 36 games this season Bazley was averaging 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. The young star was attempting 11.2 field goals per game and 2.3 free throw attempts per game.

Back in January, head coach Mark Daigneault noted the role for Bazley was purposely made more difficult this season to aid his rapid growth and development.

In his seven games back, the production is up significantly especially the scoring. To wit, his averages during this segment of the schedule are 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Again, his aggressiveness is on display with 16.6 field goal attempts and 4.6 free throw attempts. In fairness, part of the reason for the uptick in shot attempts is the absences of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort for some matches. However, the positive spin is he’s remaining aggressive — the trips to the charity stripe are evidence of that fact.

Granted, Bazley is being asked to do more, particularly in the games that Dort isn’t playing. Yet, his goal should be to continue bringing a consistently aggressive offensive mindset and to improve defensively. Playing alongside Moses Brown, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Tony Bradley to name a few the Thunder present a lengthy frontcourt.

That equates to Bazley often having a height advantage and it’s almost as if he’s finally figured out that will be the case on most nights versus many opponents.

In the match on Monday, Bazley faced a Wizards frontcourt featuring rookie Deni Avdija and Alex Len at center. The Wizards elected to start three guards (Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Raul Neto) which served up mismatches everywhere on the court.

Avdija fractured his ankle Wednesday and Rui Hachimura who would typically be the matchup remains out. With limited options, Scott Brooks may end up inserting Davis Bertans into the starting rotation and if he does Bazley could set another scoring record given Bertans’ suspect defensive ability.

While Bazley can appear like a colt learning to stand and walk at times it’s important to remember this is only his second season. Moreover, he didn’t have the typical lead-in to the pros. Instead of playing college ball, the Ohio native elected to become an intern at New Balance and prepare for the draft on his own.

With the pandemic, there was no Summer League or typical offseason development. Nor is there an opportunity this season for Mark Daigneault to hold practices like the OKC Thunder would typically conduct. For a young team that can be more detrimental than a team with veterans who have an established process and routine.

With just barely over 100 games played  (104), Bazley who’ll turn 21 in June has ample time to develop and add elements to his game. Not having Gilgeous-Alexander on the court is affording him extra opportunity within his redefined role.

As Daigneault noted at the season start, the OKC Thunder want Bazley to improve in many areas including ball handling. Undoubtedly, he’s a work in progress but the tanking commitment is affording him precisely what he needs – opportunity and reps.

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Bazley is seizing the opportunity by being aggressive on both sides of the court. His offensive package and versatility are expanding and his defense is arguably where we’re witnessing the greatest growth.

Bazley was tasked with defending Westbrook on Monday and while Russ collected a triple-double the section of that three-part stat line that was in question was his scoring. Baz held Russ to 2 of 10 shooting. He followed that up with an equally impressive effort on Pacers star Caris LeVert who was held to 3 of 11.

This isn’t an outlier for Bazley who has delivered this type of defensive effort against several stars this season. Both Aaron Gordon (while still with Orlando) and Jimmy Butler were held to 3 of 10 from the field with the Thunder forward guarding them.

Like many of the Thunder youngsters, he’s a work in progress with a still far from tapped ceiling. The best news is there is more than ample time for the youngster’s star to continue to ascend. That he may join Lu Dort as someone the OKC Thunder could rely on as a two-way player only bodes well for the future of the club.