When DeMarre Carroll needs a breather, it won’t be Thabo Sefolosha who provides relief.
The role now belongs to Kent Bazemore.
Sefolosha will miss the playoffs after season-ending surgery to repair a right fibula fracture and ligament damage suffered in an arrest in New York City earlier this month.
The off-the-court issue is ongoing.
The on-the-court reality begins Sunday with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Nets.
Carroll was strong against the Nets during the regular season, a 4-0 sweep for the Hawks. He averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists with 19.4 plus/minus rating.
“It’s big,” Carroll said of the loss of Sefolosha as his primary substitute as wing defender. “Thabo is a big part of the team. Like I said, the next guy steps up. Thabo was my breathing guy. When I’m out there running around and I get tired and I look at coach, he’ll put Thabo in. Kent is capable of it. That’s why we brought both of them in – to be defensive guys. I’ve been having talks with Kent. He’ll be ready to shine.”
Bazemore filled in for Sefolosha earlier this season when he missed 23 games with a right calf strain. While he did an admirable job, there is no question that the Hawks’ depth takes a hit without Sefolosha. The Hawks went 14-9 in those games.
Bazemore played 16 minutes in Sunday’s 99-92 opening victory. He went scoreless, missing two shots, but had three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
“I think that Kent Bazemore has really grown and evolved,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “In a strange twist, playing without Thabo for 20 games or so has given us a good feel of how we can play. I think Kent Bazemore, his arms, his length, his activity give him a lot of similar defensive abilities as Thabo. … We will miss Thabo but we have a lot of guys ready and able to step in.”
Bazemore said his role will not change – even under the bright stage of the playoffs. His job is to defend and make corner 3-pointers, he said.
Bazemore appeared in 75 games this season, including 10 starts. He averaged 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes. Sefolosha appeared in 52 games and averaged 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.8 minutes.
“Getting out there being able to spread my wings, learn the offense more so by playing than watching film,” Bazemore said of his increased playing time during Sefolosha’s first injury. “There is a big difference.”
Carroll said he has spoken to Bazemore often during the season. The two are kindred spirits in a way, sharing similar career paths. Carroll played sparingly in his first few seasons before coming to Atlanta and establishing himself as a regular. Bazemore is on his journey.
The journey begins in earnest now.
