1-27-21 | OKC Thunder @ Phoenix Suns | 8PM CST

[Old Man Game]

Too. Much. Winning.

That said, pretty fun game. THEO showed some nice flashes out there.

Sent from my moto g power using RealGM mobile app

[ThunderBolt]

I have to keep reminding myself that Bazley is only 20 years old. Even last year when he had a good shooting game and hit something like 2-3 from three, it wasn’t uncommon that the one shot he missed was a horrible looking shot. Compare him to Theo who is also struggling with his shot, Bazley’s shot looks worse to me. Besides his worse three point percentage, his stats are mostly in line with his increased minutes. He took 141 threes last year and has already taken 86 this year. I’m not sure that he’s really regressed as much as he just had good run in the bubble. The one thing that has really frustrated me is his decision making. Still not giving up on him but his stage development is closer to the rookies on the team than Dort.

[ThunderBolt]

The luck in close games has to run out at some point. What is that, 5-1 in games within 5 points at the end? Frustrating to be out performing our expected W/L by 3 games already.

Can't believe how poor Ayton was either, Kanter beat us up worse than that. Wasted a great game by CP3.

I am afraid it's not luck, it's an elite crunch time combo by Dort/SGA.

Shai hit his free throws this game but I thought he was bad in the fourth. He was 1-6 and took some bad shots.

[Old Man Game]

I have to keep reminding myself that Bazley is only 20 years old. Even last year when he had a good shooting game and hit something like 2-3 from three, it wasn’t uncommon that the one shot he missed was a horrible looking shot. Compare him to Theo who is also struggling with his shot, Bazley’s shot looks worse to me. Besides his worse three point percentage, his stats are mostly in line with his increased minutes. He took 141 threes last year and has already taken 86 this year. I’m not sure that he’s really regressed as much as he just had good run in the bubble. The one thing that has really frustrated me is his decision making. Still not giving up on him but his stage development is closer to the rookies on the team than Dort.

I find myself not minding Bazley's shooting, at least as to his spot ups, because at least the form looks not terrible (even if it doesn't go in often enough right now). I'm more frustrated when he drives into traffic and throws up some wild lay up attempt or tries a pass and turns it over. I think they're both part of the learning process though that will hopefully sort itself out. I still feel mostly optimistic about him. Probably never becomes an all star or anything but I feel like Marcus Morris is a realistic possible (not certain) comp for him.

[Dadouv47]

I have to keep reminding myself that Bazley is only 20 years old. Even last year when he had a good shooting game and hit something like 2-3 from three, it wasn’t uncommon that the one shot he missed was a horrible looking shot. Compare him to Theo who is also struggling with his shot, Bazley’s shot looks worse to me. Besides his worse three point percentage, his stats are mostly in line with his increased minutes. He took 141 threes last year and has already taken 86 this year. I’m not sure that he’s really regressed as much as he just had good run in the bubble. The one thing that has really frustrated me is his decision making. Still not giving up on him but his stage development is closer to the rookies on the team than Dort.

I find myself not minding Bazley's shooting, at least as to his spot ups, because at least the form looks not terrible (even if it doesn't go in often enough right now). I'm more frustrated when he drives into traffic and throws up some wild lay up attempt or tries a pass and turns it over. I think they're both part of the learning process though that will hopefully sort itself out. I still feel mostly optimistic about him. Probably never becomes an all star or anything but I feel like Marcus Morris is a realistic possible (not certain) comp for him.

Pretty much. Wouldn't surprise me if he starts shooting 35%+ from 3 any time soon. I don't like Bazley's BBIQ but for the rest he can improve easily.

If he works hard I guess his ceiling is a weaker version of Sabonis (less skilled and not such a good passer)

[bbms]

Still, he shouldn't be getting 30 MPG. He's not better than Roby at the moment, and Roby's contract situation is as sweet as Bazley, so no reason for this disparity of development action.

More like 24/16 splits between them. It would be best if Roby gets more action with the first team and Bazley with the second team. I think the weakest points of Mike Daigneault is that he's not experimenting much with his rotationa.

At this moment every player should have equal opportunities of playing time across different pairings. It makes no sense to stimulate Bazley taking for granted his current roster position. He hasn't proved ****.

It's even good for his development. If he gets surpassed and gets bench, less chance of him being deflated or lose confidence.

[ThunderBolt]

I think the Thunder probably have some partiality to players they draft as opposed to the ones they trade for.