Atlanta Hawks 2018-19 Player Profile: Kent Bazemore

With two regular season games in the books, let’s take a look at what the season might look like for the longest-tenured member of the Atlanta Hawks: Kent Bazemore.

The season is finally here! After a long offseason where the Atlanta Hawks acquired a new head coach and some new young talent, it is time to see what this young team can do.

One player that will have a lot to do with the success of this team will be the last Hawks player remaining from the 60-win team we all knew and loved, Kent Bazemore.

While trade rumors have been swirling around the player that many believe to be the heart and soul of the Atlanta Hawks, it looks like Baze is here to stay and that is a very good thing for this young team who will need a veteran to look to when things go south (which will happen quite often).

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Baze’s leadership will play a huge role on this team that many are predicting to be the worst team in the NBA. Of course the Hawks are going to do whatever they can to win games, but wins may be hard to come by with such an inexperienced team. That being said, players like Baze need to do whatever they can to try to keep the team’s morale up and the confidence high for the young players that are going to be this team’s future.

With the addition of Trae Young and the emergence of both Taurean Prince and John Collins, Baze’s role will be back to what it was when he created a name for himself in the NBA. He will have less pressure to create and will have more open looks created for him in return. With the ball in his hands less he will now be more of a slasher and open jump shooter, which is where his game is the strongest on the offensive side of the floor.

This could be a big year for Kent Bazemore, who has a real opportunity to thrive on this Atlanta Hawks team that plays to his strengths. Baze was at his best when he was surrounded with players that shared the ball well and benefitted largely from open shots created from excellent ball movement and ferocious defense which should be the case with this young, high flying team that can all spread the floor and a point guard that can make passes many other point guards couldn’t even see.

There are many reasons to be excited about this young Hawks team that will exceed expectations this season and Kent Bazemore is a reason why. He will take another step forward as a player and a leader this season and continue to be the heart and soul of this up and coming team.