As the OKC Thunder ramp up their efforts toward the start of training camp next week national media sites are making predictions for the season. For the Thunder that’s equating to an absence of presence other than the occasional Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Of course, the team is landing at the bottom of win/loss projection boards. This also isn’t a surprising placement given the club itself makes no bones about stating they are in a rebuild. It’s not like Sam Presti is coming out and saying “we intend to tank” but Thunder Nation knows what’s up. Hey, with 35 potential draft picks in the next six years that’s the wise move.
Yet, at Intentions, we’re wondering if some players aren’t getting enough respect or consideration.
For example, an article by Zach Buckley in Bleacher Report cited seven players worth betting on breaking out in the 2021-22 season. Included in his seven were Raptors forward OG Anunoby who will get move touches this year with Pascal Siakam missing the start of the season (shoulder surgery) and Kyle Lowry now with the Heat.
Rookie standouts LaMelo Ball of the Hornets and Tyrese Haliburton of the Kings also make the grade. Injuries impact two players on the list including the Magic’s star Jonathan Isaac who returns from his own injury while Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is expected to benefit from the absence of Jamal Murray.
Rounding out the list are Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland and Rockets reclamation project Kevin Porter Jr.
OKC Thunder forward Darius Bazley poised for a breakout season
The question is why isn’t a player like OKC Thunder forward Darius Bazley being considered?
A quick dive into last season’s stats offers a similar perspective to items Buckley cited for the seven on this list. Bazley more than doubled his scoring output from his rookie season with 13.7 points per game compared to 5.7 points.
Ditto for his rebounds that increased from 4.0 per game to 7.2 in 2021. And for a big man to increase his assist tallies from under one (0.7) per game up to 1.8 per game considering the meager offense of the Thunder was impressive.
Bazley is younger than many of the rookie prospects that were drafted this summer and has ample time to develop into a contributing team member. Last season he was hampered by an injury that took him out for 16 consecutive games.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/21/2021.
Upon his return, Bazley appeared in 19 games and raised his scoring output to 17.2 points per game. Sure, the shooting efficiency wasn’t at the level Mark Daigneault likely covets but that’s almost 12 points more per game than he scored in his rookie season.
Let’s put it this way if Bazley replicated that 19 game stint to this season averaging over 17 points, along with 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists OKC would be thrilled.
He’s been active on social media talking about his workouts this summer. If that work translates into production the most obvious areas he would deliver improvements would be shooting efficiency. Last season he averaged a meager 39.6 percent from the field, 29 percent from deep, and 70.2 percent from the charity stripe.
If he can push the field goal percent higher with a better mix of scoring inside and raise the perimeter percentage above 35 percent we’d be doing backflips. There were glimpses of his shooting potential in 2020-21 but the main issue was consistency. Many NBA players recognize their biggest jumps in the third season.
For the young Thunder forward, he’s on a squad that could be capitalizing on his assets more. Sticking him in a corner isn’t the ideal scenario and in the stints where Daigneault had him touching the ball more, there were signs he could not only benefit his own game but also his court mates.
His length, reach and athleticism is also areas Bazley can exploit more and will undoubtedly get the opportunity to with this young roster.
With all due respect to Mr. Buckley of Bleacher Report, Bazley may not have made his list of top seven but Intentions feels he could be the break-out star of the Thunder in 2021-22.