There is space on Kent Bazemore’s mantel.
He knows just what he wants to put there.
The Hawks’ small forward won the Lefty Driesell Award as the nation’s top defensive player while at Old Dominion University. Now, he’d like a similar recognition from the NBA.
“I want to be on an All-Defensive team,” Bazemore said. “I think, for me, if I do that then the team will be in a great spot. There are some very special teams this year with some very special players. If I can do well against them, we’ll have a great chance to win. … I’ve got to add to my Lefty Driesell Award from college. I’ve got a big gap in my defensive awards. I’ve got to put something else on the shelf.”
Bazemore became a full-time starter for the first time last season. The Hawks rewarded his performance and potential with a four-year, $70-million contract this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Certainly, there is pressure that comes with such a deal. How Bazemore handles the added responsibility will play a big part in the Hawks’ success.
Bazemore has gone through his career to this point with something to prove. He went undrafted out of college. He played in the NBA Development League. He fought for a chance with the Warriors and Lakers. He was once ranked 499th on a list of the top 500 players in the NBA. He got his chance after signing with the Hawks two years ago. He need to show he belonged in a starting lineup. He passed up more money from several other teams this summer to remain in Atlanta.
Can he keep that drive? Those around Bazemore don’t think it will be an issue.
Paul Millsap: "The advice I give him is just play basketball. You play basketball if you have a contract. You play basketball if you don't have a contract. Nothing changes just the amount in your bank account. At the end of the day, you get out there and play basketball to the best of your ability like you have been doing."
Kyle Korver: "This is probably the first time that Baze has felt validated as a basketball player. Honestly. For me, there was a growing experience from that the first time I received a contract and you really feel like they are saying I'm a core piece to what we are doing and I'm a leader now and what does that look like. Baze's confidence is ultra-high right now, and he feels confident in his abilities and he wants to be great. He wants to be great.
“There will probably be a little process for him, I’d imagine, to work through a few things. I think Baze is in a good spot. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He really cares about our team. When you have the mindset that it’s about the team and not just one person, things are going to work out.”
Dwight Howard: "I've been in that situation multiple times when you get a new contract and you have big expectations. You just have to play basketball. You can't think about what just happened. You just have to remember what got you to this moment, and that's hard work and dedication. The more you stay dedicated to this sport, the benefits are unlimited. I think he's going to be great. I've been telling him to stay focused and enjoy it because it's going to end someday."
Bazemore, 27, played in 75 regular-season games last season, including 68 starts. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.8 minutes, all career-highs.
The Hawks’ major signing of the offseason was the addition of Howard to play center. The team also promoted Dennis Schroder to starting point guard. Those transactions garnered most of the attention, locally and nationally. An emotional Bazemore shared his signing announcement news conference with Howard.
He is just fine with not being the center of attention.
“I’ve always worked among the shadows quote, unquote,” Bazemore said. “It’s nothing different to me. I’m going to continue to work hard whether it’s known or not. I think those two guys — Dwight coming home and Dennis being such a young player getting the keys to the franchise — that’s more important than me re-signing. I think. I’m a very unselfish person. News is news. When it first happened, everybody was all over it. I had my hurrah. I’m just ready to get to work.”
Bazemore realizes there are added responsibilities with his contract. He cites being a vocal leader, on and off the court, showing his work ethic and mentoring the team’s young players. He said it will all come in stride.
“Obviously (there are expectations), but no one is going to set the bar higher for me than myself,” Bazemore said. “I’ve always been my toughest critic. The added responsibilities have just added more motivation for me, added fuel to the fire because there are more levels to go. I still have a lot more getting better to do. I love this game. I’m super passionate about it. So putting a value on me as a player is neither here nor there. I’m going to be the same player and do the same things that have gotten me to this point.”
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