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Kent Bazemore may be the key to the Golden State Warriors bench

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Austin Rivers #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans has the ball slapped out of his hands by Kent Bazemore #20 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 17, 2013 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Austin Rivers #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans has the ball slapped out of his hands by Kent Bazemore #20 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 17, 2013 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Kent Bazemore, when he’s been given minutes, has played with great energy off the Golden State Warriors bench. He could be the key to a thriving second unit.

Throughout the course of their dynasty, the Golden State Warriors never had the most impactful bench. Not counting Andre Iguodala who would typically get more times than the team’s starting center, the second unit produced very little.

This season, that has to change, and the Warriors have the players on their bench to make that a reality. So far this season, the team has gotten into a trend of starting Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and James Wiseman.

That leaves some big names within the organization coming off the bench — most notably Kevon Looney and Eric Paschall, a member of the 2019 All-Rookie First Team. However, it’s far from just those two that start the game taking a seat yet still find a way to make an impact.

After all, do we not remember Damion Lee‘s game-winning shot just a few days ago? Lee has been an impactful players in the second unit. That said, one that isn’t getting nearly enough credit or time is veteran Kent Bazemore.

After starting his career with the Warriors, Bazemore jumped around the league with his longest tenure being in Atlanta.

Bazemore played the best basketball of his career with the Hawks, averaging double figures in all but one season. Bazemore averaged 8.8 points per game last season, playing the bulk of the chaotic year with the Trail Blazers.

This season, that number is almost cut in half as he’s at just 4.7 points per game. Averaging just over a quarter of play per game, Bazemore not scoring isn’t necessarily his fault. The opportunity isn’t there.

He’s shooting over 50 percent from the field and has proven to be a capable defender, cutter, and playmaker when on the court. On .8 threes per game, Bazemore is also shooting over 50 percent from deep.

He’s played in six games and has received a few DNP-CDs as well.

He’s one of the most experienced players on the team, and he’s barely getting any minutes. Working his way back into the rotation was a start, but Bazemore needs to be given more chances to show that he can produce for the team when Curry is off the court.

The Warriors are 7.6 points better with him on the court, and they outscore their opponent with Bazemore on the court as well. Those numbers aren’t a fluke. Bazemore is impactful on both ends of the floor.

As we saw against the Clippers in the first of two games, Bazemore can run the floor and he can play in meaningful games. The 6-foot-4 31-year-old doesn’t have a Jordan Poole-like ceiling, but at this point in their careers, he’s certainly the more reliable option.

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It’s time to get Kent Bazemore more involved as he could be the key to having one of the better benches in the NBA.

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