Kent Bazemore, who agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract with the Hawks last week, said he was most impressed with the direction of the franchise. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the newest Hawk spoke about a number of subjects, including why he chose Atlanta, his recovery from foot surgery and “Bazemoring.”
Q: What is your reaction and thoughts about signing with the Hawks?
A: I'm excited. I was in (Las) Vegas (where summer league is being held) when it happened and once people found out, they had nothing but great things to say about the coaching staff, the organization. They come from the San Antonio route, so that is obviously the best in the business. It's a great opportunity for me to learn the game of basketball and play some very high caliber basketball.
There were a lot of sleepless nights (making a decision). I thought LeBron (James) had a tough decision to make, but my decision was just as tough.
Q: How was your visit to Atlanta?
A: They wanted to look at my foot because I'm just coming off surgery (to repair the peroneus longus tendon in his right foot). They checked out my foot. I had lunch with (GM) Danny Ferry, the assistant GM (Wes Wilcox) and (assistant coach) Darvin Ham. We had a good time. They just wanted to pick my brain, see where my head was. It went really well.
Q: What was it about the Hawks that tipped the scales in their favor?
A: They were very consistent and very up front with us. We went through a couple of (potential) deals trying to please everyone. It was a valiant effort on both sides. My agent, Austin Walton, was on his game as far as being punctual and making sure he relayed everything to me, any changes in the contract. It was just a great partnership knowing that we are going to work well together. Every time you spoke to someone it was a good conversation and we made progress together and got a great deal.
Q: Did they talk to you about what kind of role they see for you?
A: Obviously, they like my style of play. I'm a long, athletic, defensive wing. I can run up and down. I'm an energy guy. And I'm young. I'm on the cusp of really making a career out of this thing. It's the perfect match. They are the same way. They pushed Indiana last year. They are on the cusp as well. It's the perfect opportunity for a player and an organization that have a lot in common to try to get over the hump.
Q: Do you look at what a player like DeMarre Carroll did here last year when given an opportunity?
A: That is the beautiful thing about the NBA. It's all about opportunity at the end of the day. I'm sure DeMarre was one of the guys who stayed after practice even when he did all the conditioning. Putting in those extra hours, battling in the mindset of not getting minutes and still being able to show up every day and work. It showed off. It's some of the same things I did at Golden State, and when I got the opportunity with the Lakers, I was able to showcase some skills.
Q: How is your foot progressing after the surgery?
A: The foot is great. I had my surgery April 16, so it's been three month ago. It's getting stronger. I've been road biking a lot around the Bay Area, 25, 30, 40 miles. I have a big ride (Tuesday) as a matter of fact. I'm trying to stay in shape. I've been being active and eating right. My girlfriend has me eating right. I haven't eaten this way in so long. It's definitely paying off. I'm taking care of my body and staying in shape, so when I get back on the floor it's an easy transition.
Q: What is the timetable for getting back on the court?
A: I will be back on the floor at the end of the first week or beginning of the second week of August. I've got time in August and September and training camp to get myself back together. I feel great about the whole situation. My foot doesn't bother me at all in all the stuff we do in physical therapy. I'm looking forward to bouncing that ball again and get on the floor and be able to make some moves.
Q: How discouraging was the foot injury for you? You finally got a chance to play with the Lakers, was doing well and the season comes to a sudden end.
A: Everything happens for a reason. I was hurt in college (at Old Dominion) going into my senior year, so it's kind of the same feeling (broken left foot with a screw inserted). You are just starting to make a name for yourself and the things you want to do on the floor are actually starting to happen, and then it is cut short. You have to start from scratch. That happened four years ago, July 23 will be the three-year anniversary of that injury. I'm a lot older now and I've been through it. I know what not to do and I've also added more things to do to help me with the game of basketball every day, thinking about the game every day. I don't have to touch the ball to get better. I don't frustrate myself with not being able to be on the floor. I can do other things to get better.
Q: What is ‘Bazemoring’ all about?
A: My first year, I get picked up by Golden State and I'm not playing. I'm playing maybe four minutes a night. So whenever I would sit (on the bench) I had so much energy inside. So every time Steph Curry would score or a player would make a nice pass, I would hop up and mimic what he did on the floor. The fans in the Bay Area ran away with it. There were T-shirts out, video, contests. It was something that kept me (in the game). I'm known as a great locker-room guy, and I'm always optimistic. I'm in everybody's face trying to keep everybody up. I got a verb named after me now.
Q: Do you know any of the Hawks players?
A: I know James Michael Scott. They call him Mike. His first name is James. I don't know why he doesn't tell people that. We played AAU basketball together with the Blue Hens. We grew up where I went to school. He would come back every summer, and I would get a chance to hang out with him a lot in college. It's great being on the same team with him. We've both seen each other progress. We are very close. It's going to be fun to get back out there and play with him again.
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