Minnesota Sports Forum

Here are some optimistic thoughts on Bazz.

Remember a little over a year ago when some of us here thought it would be fun to see Jeffers work with Bazz and pass on that ethic and playing hard physical all the time style. Based on what was seen in both the scrimmage and SL Bazz pretty much was doing a similar type style. He isn't the raw athlete than Jeffers is but is more of a power guy and has that quick lift which is very good. Playing hard all the time is a skill imo.

Remember that Bazz hurt his knee at the end of the year which is why he didn't play and that might have kept him from being in even better shape in SL. I know this comment is a bit of a stretch but its something to remember.

Now I look at Bazz in that pick and he is obviously not fat. He looks very thick though he isn't going to be pushed around and that might be handy with the skinny wings we have on this team which is pretty much everyone.

Remember it was 1 game but Bazz was beasting against PJ Tucker last year a guy that is a terrific defender and a guy you would think would have no problem with a rookie like Bazz. Imagine Bazz against bench SFs or even some starters? He might be able to make some noise as a post guy as a wing or as a PF. I'm sure he is going to get a shot at it.

SL his ball handling looked better than he did in the previous SL of course he was pretty awful so it wasn't hard to improve. He still needs to improve in that area but he was much smoother with the ball and his right hand looked more useful.

When does he get minutes when does he play? My guess is Flip will employ him against certain matchups or when he wants a spark or an effort guy. That means there will be night Bazz won't play and there may be nights he plays a pretty decent chunk. If Bazz accepts the responsibility Flip asks of all the young players and runs with it and plays well who knows. I'm not ridiculously high on Bazz but I'm interested to see what he brings this year. He is gonna get some chances with Flip as coach hopefully he can take advantage.

I didn't see what you saw in SL with respect to Muhammad's ball handling, monster...to me he looked much like the guy we saw last year. Able to get his shot off at will, but reluctant to use his right hand or distribute and undisciplined on defense. I found myself even more frustrated in July with his tunnel-visioned focus on scoring. He seldom surveys the court when he gets the ball, but rather seems content to either make a scoring move or return the ball to the guy that gave it to him. He's such a phenomenal scorer and offensive rebounder that I think he could start at SF if he would show more propensity to help his teammates. But it's a mental thing with him...he's been programmed for many years to score, and he doesn't seem to be able to adjust. I still see him as a terrific high-scoring option off the bench, but he could be so much more if he could adjust his mindset.

longstrangetrip wrote:I didn't see what you saw in SL with respect to Muhammad's ball handling, monster...to me he looked much like the guy we saw last year. Able to get his shot off at will, but reluctant to use his right hand or distribute and undisciplined on defense. I found myself even more frustrated in July with his tunnel-visioned focus on scoring. He seldom surveys the court when he gets the ball, but rather seems content to either make a scoring move or return the ball to the guy that gave it to him. He's such a phenomenal scorer and offensive rebounder that I think he could start at SF if he would show more propensity to help his teammates. But it's a mental thing with him...he's been programmed for many years to score, and he doesn't seem to be able to adjust. I still see him as a terrific high-scoring option off the bench, but he could be so much more if he could adjust his mindset.

I said his ball handling was better (more like less awful) I never said it was good. Lol

My guess and speculation on SL was he was told to go out there and score. Remember when Williams was told to be aggressive his 2nd year of SL? Those results were pretty mixed ultimately a little dissapointing probably moreso than Bazz because Williams was #2 overall pick and Bazz is a mid-round pick that might be a solid pick if he becomes a bench scorer. Like I said I'm not high on Bazz but there are some things to like and I was going with optimism in my post. The holes in his game are well documented. I also like he seems to be a guy willing to throw himself around and doesn't care who gets in his way. Its nice to have someone like that on a team of nice guys or guys without any real bulk to do anything like Brewer. He should keep practice interesting. Lol

monsterpile wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:I didn't see what you saw in SL with respect to Muhammad's ball handling, monster...to me he looked much like the guy we saw last year. Able to get his shot off at will, but reluctant to use his right hand or distribute and undisciplined on defense. I found myself even more frustrated in July with his tunnel-visioned focus on scoring. He seldom surveys the court when he gets the ball, but rather seems content to either make a scoring move or return the ball to the guy that gave it to him. He's such a phenomenal scorer and offensive rebounder that I think he could start at SF if he would show more propensity to help his teammates. But it's a mental thing with him...he's been programmed for many years to score, and he doesn't seem to be able to adjust. I still see him as a terrific high-scoring option off the bench, but he could be so much more if he could adjust his mindset.

I said his ball handling was better (more like less awful) I never said it was good. Lol

My guess and speculation on SL was he was told to go out there and score. Remember when Williams was told to be aggressive his 2nd year of SL? Those results were pretty mixed ultimately a little dissapointing probably moreso than Bazz because Williams was #2 overall pick and Bazz is a mid-round pick that might be a solid pick if he becomes a bench scorer. Like I said I'm not high on Bazz but there are some things to like and I was going with optimism in my post. The holes in his game are well documented. I also like he seems to be a guy willing to throw himself around and doesn't care who gets in his way. Its nice to have someone like that on a team of nice guys or guys without any real bulk to do anything like Brewer. He should keep practice interesting. Lol

Take this opinion over to the opTIMism thread where it belongs, monster! :)

I'll post my opTIMism wherever I like LST. :)