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Atlanta Hawks 2017-18 Player Grades: Kent Bazemore

By Nate Funk

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 09: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 9, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 112-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 09: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 9, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 112-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Let me just start this player grade off with this disclaimer; I think that the Atlanta Hawks Kent Bazemore is a great human being who does a lot for the Atlanta community and plays extremely hard game-in and game-out.

I have nothing but respect for him as a person, but after the 2016-17 campaign he put up after signing a big contract, I have not been a big fan of what he does on the court for Atlanta.

Baze’s numbers went up from last year and he was much more consistent on a per-game basis, but he still failed to live up to the player that was given the 4-year $70 million dollar contract that former coach and GM Mike Budenholzer handed him in 2016 in the offseason that ended up being the end of the Hawks glory days.

Though his numbers weren’t what they should’ve been on a Hawks team that was one of the worst teams in the league with no true number-one scoring option, Baze still went out every night and played his heart out.

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He is a high-energy guy that will do whatever he can to help the team win, even if sometimes those turn into turnovers that eventually put the Hawks at huge disadvantages on the offensive end.

Averaging 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game he had a decent season, but nothing to write home about considering he should have been the number 2 scoring option on the team behind Dennis Schröder (who might leave this offseason in a trade after expressing dissatisfaction with the direction of the team).

Baze shot almost 40% from behind the arc this season and did a lot better distributing the basketball when Dennis was not on the floor, but still seemed to be pressing too hard and trying to do too much in some moments during the season.

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Kent Bazemore’s 2017-18 season was a decent outing for the defensively oriented swingman, but considering how much he is being paid and how much of the Hawks success depends on him playing well, the fans should be begging for more from him next year. Personally, I’m begging for someone to take on his horrible contract, but it’s hard not to root for the guy.

I mean, who doesn’t love a good Baze Gaze?

2017-18 Season Grade: B-

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