Bazemore preaching patience with Hawks
Faced with the challenge of taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second straight year, Kent Bazemore picked up on a few things when they swept his Hawks the last time the two teams clashed in the playoffs.
“You’ve got to take it one play at a time,” Bazemore said at shootaround Monday morning. “They are a very explosive team. They’re going to make runs. They’re going to have high-flying dunks. They’re going to make tough step-back threes.
“You’ve just got to absorb it. Know that those things are going to happen and stay even-keeled. It’s a long game.”
It’s that kind of patience and focus that will be necessary in a series against a Cavs team that’s nearly at full health and playing its most fluid basketball since Tyronn Lue took over as head coach.
To make things more difficult, Atlanta hasn’t had the best track record against the wine and gold. Dating back to the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, the Hawks have dropped seven consecutive matchups against Cleveland.
But now, none of that matters. Looking ahead to a brand new series on a brand new stage in a brand new year, Bazemore believes he found a chink in the armor in Atlanta’s overtime loss to the Cavs a month ago.
“They aren’t a team that plays too well with the lead,” he said. “We’ve been down at home this past year and climbed all the way back. We’ve just got to understand it’s a 48-minute game.”
Looking back at last year’s playoffs, Bazemore’s in-your-face attitude wasn’t too appreciated by Cleveland, especially LeBron James.
With the four-time MVP coming off of a rivalry with Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson, Bazemore understands there will be bad blood and friction between teams in the playoffs.
“In this league you’re fighting for something, and you get tired of seeing the same guy every other night,” he said. “It’s definitely a lot of animosity in these series, but it’s a part of the game, a part of basketball.
“You’re out there playing against an opponent and you’re trying to advance. Some things may be said, but it’s all in the context of the game. It’s just guys out there competing.
Kent Bazemore feels that trash talk and bad blood should be expected in the #NBAPlayoffs. #Hawks#Cavspic.twitter.com/v5QprB9i13
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) May 2, 2016
Bazemore will be tasked with guarding James once again, but it’s not an individual responsibility alone. They’ve got to throw everything they’ve got at him.
“It’s a collective effort,” he said. “We have our methods and adjustments if needed to contain him. He’s one of the greatest players in the game right now and he demands a lot of attention.
“Just keep him in front. Make it tough for him. We can’t let him get out and do highlight plays. You’ve got to try to keep him in front of you, slow the game down for him.”
Personally, Bazemore thinks he’s matured on the court since that last series—so how will he keep composed when facing adversity?
“If they go on a 6-0 run, not trying to get it all back at once,” he said. “Just staying the course, trusting in the offense, trusting in our principles. Staying disciplined in a full 48-minute game.”
As of late and in addition to his defensive mindset, Bazemore’s contributions on offense have been paramount to the Hawks’ success. He’s not only been aggressive by getting up at least 10 shots per game in their series with Boston, but he’s also displayed confidence within himself when given chances.
What's allowed Kent Bazemore to thrive on offense as of late? #Hawks#Cavs#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/fSpG5dPm2t — Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) May 2, 2016
“I’m just playing with a ton of energy,” he said. “I think my teammates are doing a great job of setting me up. You’ve got four All-Stars out there. I’m just kind of a guy hanging about getting it how I can.”
Whether that’s a byproduct of the attention drawn by his teammates or if it’s creating looks on his own is the question.
Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer feels like it’s a little bit of both.
“I think Baze plays with great pace, with great energy,” Budenholzer said. “I think he gets out and, in that environment, creates his own opportunities by just running and getting to open spots and playing in transition. In the half court, I think there may be attention on other guys and he may get some opportunities that way.
“But I think he brings a lot of it in on himself—not necessarily in a one-on-one way—but just with the way he plays and cuts and moves and runs. I think he creates opportunities.”
As for Bazemore’s answer to that, he leans more toward the former.
“I’m just getting more comfortable with the offense, more comfortable with the team,” he said. “My teammates are trusting in me a little bit more and I’m just reaping the benefits of that.”
Having seen Bazemore scorch his Cavs in the first half of their game at Quicken Loans Arena on April 11, Lue realized the 26-year-old’s jumper had improved.
With that knowledge, the first-year head coach knows he can’t be ignored in this series.
“He’s been shooting the ball phenomenal,” Lue said. “He has a lot of confidence. He used to be a guy you could kind of play in between, cat and mouse, but now he’s shooting around 40 percent from three at the end of the season—so it’s a guy you’ve got to get out to and respect as a shooter.”
