Despite averaging just over five minutes per game in a season and half with the Golden State Warriors, Kent Bazemore quickly became a fan favorite. With his unwavering enthusiasm, positive attitude and ever-present smile, Bazemore's emphatic bench celebrations were so well-loved, they were specifically featured in best-selling video game NBA 2k14.
After being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2013-14 trade deadline for Steve Blake, Bazemore stood out as one of the few bright spots in the Lakers' dismal '13-14 campaign. His shooting percentage went up from .371 to .451, and he earned himself a contract this past summer with the up-and-coming Atlanta Hawks.
Now, the Hawks are at the top of the Eastern Conference, and Bazemore has carved out a role for himself in Atlanta's lineup. While he isn't playing as much as he did with the Lakers, he's averaging 13.5 minutes per game off the bench and continuing to improve his credentials as a defender.
In an entertaining interview with Atlanta's CBS outlet, Bazemore talks guarding Stephen Curry (“As Soon As He Gets Off The Bus, You Pick Him Up”), meeting Klay Thompson ("When I first met him, he only said, like, three words to me.") and playing against the team that gave him his first shot in the NBA. It's worth a listen.
The Warriors (39-8) play Bazemore's Hawks (41-9) Friday afternoon, with tipoff set for 4:30 PM Pacific Time.
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