Jalen Williams identified one former OKC Thunder star who made him lean ahead and take discover along with his sensational play.
The method of rebuilding the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder after Russell Westbrook and Paul George’s departure was no straightforward job for GM Sam Presti.
Despite the fact that Presti had brilliantly constructed a contender with OKC earlier than, it was going to be a really large problem for him.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was clearly the constructing block of the longer term. However for the subsequent few years, the Thunder’s roster featured a revolving door of younger and previous stars as Presti tried to determine who ought to keep.
And through that interval, there was one participant who caught Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams’ eye, and this participant not too long ago made an ideal account for himself within the NBA Summer season League as he appears to be like for a brand new staff.
Jalen Williams was a visitor on the Out The Mud podcast not too long ago. When speaking about his former teammate Darius Bazley, Williams shared an attention-grabbing story.
Williams arrived on the NBA Summer season League in his rookie yr, solely to seek out Bazley, a three-year NBA star, taking part in and placing the younger stars to the take a look at. He praised Bazley’s immense expertise on show.
“Shout out Darius Bazley, I bought to Summer season League earlier than we bought exercises, they had been already taking part in as a result of they didn’t have like, good yr, so everyone sort of already again.
“Baz was killing the fives. I used to be like, ‘There’s no method I play on this staff,’ as a result of he’s sort of the left-hand man, and he had come off an excellent yr.
“He’s within the fives. Bro, I used to be like, I don’t know if I’m actually prepared as a result of he was wildin’ there, dunking on folks, speaking s— like, the entire thing.”
After seeing Bazley’s 2020-21 NBA season, when he averaged 13.7 factors per sport for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as a starter, it’s exhausting to consider the place his profession has taken him.
After the Thunder traded Bazley to the Phoenix Suns, his profession started declining quickly. In poor health-fated stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz led to him not getting one other NBA contract.
This summer time, Bazley joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Summer season League to attempt to combat his method again into the NBA. Sadly, Bazley bought harm with the Lakers on the Summer season League.
Previous to his critical damage, Bazley appeared in wonderful type. Hopefully, as soon as he recovers, he can scrap his method again into the NBA.
