The OKC Thunder are set to take on the L.A. Clippers in a Saturday night affair in downtown Oklahoma City, welcoming the Clippers to the Paycom Center. In what is an important tilt as the Oklahoma City Thunder own the Clippers unprotected first-round pick for this upcoming NBA Draft. A fridged Oklahoma day, with temperatures in the 40s and rapidly dipping to the 20s and teens, this has been seven cups of coffee kind of day, and boy am I glad I made that choice.
In what might’ve been a Mondaine game following Wednesday’s thriller against the Pelicans that ended on a 61-foot buzzer-beater, tonight’s pregame chat with Oklahoma City Thunder bench boss Mark Daigneault sparked fireworks. Not only did the head coach confirm that Lu Dort is active and in the starting lineup, after previously being tabbed as questionable entering tonight, but Daigneault stunned the media with the news that Darius Bazley is no longer part of the Thunder’s starting five.
OKC Thunder bench Darius Bazley, welcome back Lu Dort as they take on the L.A. Clippers
Darius Bazley has struggled mightily this season, especially on the offensive end. Despite huge leaps as a defender, especially in a helping role as the team shrunk the size of the roster and lineups, fans have been clamoring for Mark Daigneault to bench the third-year forward that has started 84 consecutive games entering tonight, for a long time.
No matter the struggles on that end of the floor, Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder remained committed to Darius Bazley. The former New Balance intern is averaging eight points, six rebounds, and a block per game while logging nearly 30-minutes a contest.
Mark Daigneault said Bazley took the news “professionally” and that the situation remains “fluid” as the team “explores the roster.” it seems as though the organization just wants to get a look at the forward in a different role as a bench player tonight, and presumably for a few games.
So who starts in place of Bazley? Aaron Wiggins, the 22-year-old wing that stands 6’6 will fill the “power forward” role in this position-less lineup. Wiggins, will now play his 11th game and make his 3rd start while on this two-way pact. The OKC Thunder organization has a history of converting these deals, and it certainly seems it is a matter of when, not if, Wiggins receives a standard NBA contract.
The Maryland product posts seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal per 36 minutes. In a small sample size, Wiggins shoots 67-percent on corner threes, 100-percent at the rim, and 35-percent on 17 triples.
Lu Dort is active, while the Clippers sideline Paul George, and elevate Nic Batum to available. What are your thoughts on Darius Bazley being benched?