OKC Thunder fans should not give up on Darius Bazley yet

Everyone within the Oklahoma City Thunder fanbase has an opinion on Darius Bazley. Perhaps the most polarizing player on the roster, with his only real competition being Aleksej Pokusevski, Bazley has to prove himself this season, and fans should allow him to.

The Monday deadline for a rookie extension came and went without a long-term deal done, setting Darius Bazley up for restricted free agency this summer. What does his future hold with OKC? That is yet to be seen, but do not close the book on Bazley just yet.

OKC Thunder fans should not give up on Darius Bazley just yet, the 2022-23 regular season offers him a more defined role to thrive

Look, I get it. You are either all-in or all-out on Darius Bazley, and it seems like the number of people in the latter camp far outweighs the former. I also understand it may feel as though you have heard all of these arguments before, and to this point, Bazley has never shown improvement. While a bit unfair, I do understand that perception. All I ask is to give the former New Balance intern a chance as the 2022-23 regular season tips off on Wednesday.

Last year was a rocky year for Darius Bazley, who saw his starting role taken away mid-way through but made an incredible leap defensively grading out as an elite versatile defender. Can his offense improve to the point he can be a legitimate rotational piece?

I think the answer to that question is yes, I think his role will be a big reason why. Look, the idea of Darius Bazley being a staple starter or borderline all-star is far out of the question or realm of possibility, but it feels as though the entire fanbase has given up on the idea of him even being a quality NBA player which is incredibly unfair.

During the last two preseason games, Darius Bazley did not attempt a single three-point shot. Instead, he came off the bench, played solid defense, and rolled to the rim while utilizing the dunker spot or just simply making stronger and more decisive drives. A few and-ones later, and he looks different than his previous stand-in-the-corner and shoot-threes role.

Bazley’s strength was never in his shooting ability, he is an incredible athlete that needs to be able to be a roller, cut to the basket, wait patiently in the dunker spot, and not just stand at the three-point line and wait his turn. Now, with a plethora of playmakers no matter the lineup he is mixed and matched with, there is a true pathway to becoming a solid NBA player.

It is now or never for Darius Bazley to elevate his game, as he described at media day, with his NBA future in the balance and all the right tools, roles, and systems around him to help get him to where he needs to be. It is a make-or-break season for Bazley who has no long-term contractual security in the league and fans should give him the shot to declare himself during this contract year.

While I think Darius Bazley will take the next step, I understand being hesitant to buy in, but there are legitimate reasons to give him the chance to develop this season still at just 22 years old.