Q12543 wrote:The only other thing I'll say about Bazz last night is that because Memphis doesn't sport a potent wing lineup, Mitchell probably felt he could afford to have Bazz out there defensively. Normally we see Prince/Wiggins at crunch time because of defense.
Yet, Bazz was on the floor in crunchtime against Dallas as well. Maybe Smitch is getting some "direction" from above???
Q12543 wrote:The only other thing I'll say about Bazz last night is that because Memphis doesn't sport a potent wing lineup, Mitchell probably felt he could afford to have Bazz out there defensively. Normally we see Prince/Wiggins at crunch time because of defense.
Yet, Bazz was on the floor in crunchtime against Dallas as well. Maybe Smitch is getting some "direction" from above???
Sam has said he wants Bazz to play better D and move the ball and he will get minutes. Bazz has down both and been rewarded. Earlier in the year he was doing neither although he was with a group that didn't really encourage either. Lol
Bazz has more "want/heart/hustle" than anyone not named KAT on this team. He busts his butt every minute he gets on the floor. Does he play great defense? No, but he is getting better imho. His offense is very efficient and his passing is coming along. Wiggins and Bazz together gives the other team fits. I like the combination and I think many of us were calling for it last year. I also like KAT and Pek out there together. They scoop up all the rebounds and start the break to Rubio who has Wiggins and Bazz filling the lanes, if the break doesn't work, run secondary break with bigs following the play. Pek dives to lane, KAT picks for ball handler at top of key for pick and pop. Beautiful basketball.
khans2k5 wrote:Tonight's version of Bazz is who I think has a spot on this team moving forward. I didn't really see any of his obvious me-first moments where he just has the blinders on for everyone else.
He really needs to be out there with guys that can pass because the one thing he does better than anyone else on the team is find open space, whether it's sprinting down the floor in transition or making timely basket cuts. When he's out there with Zach and Martin, he just doesn't get rewarded as much and all of his liabilities become more glaring.
Good point about Bazz knowing how to space on the floor. After the game Rubio actually pointed out that Wiggins playing with Bazz might be teaching him to get out and run more which I thought was something interesting to consider.
Like Pete and Benz said in this game it feels like as soon as Bazz get into the game he does something get a dunk offensive rebound etc. He could be an absolute dynamo off the bench playing big minutes for a good team of he can round out his game. He has a few things in his game that allow him to make punches of impact.
