Atlanta Hawks: 5 goals for Kent Bazemore in 2017-18

2. Lead the Hawks in steals

Twenty-three players managed to record 100 or more steals last season, but none of them played for the Hawks. Kent Bazemore was one of three players to poach the ball away over 90 times during the 2016-17 season, and the only one returning for next year.

Two years ago, Bazemore nearly reached the century mark in steals, falling just two shy. Even though he has yet to record 100 steals in a single season, Bazemore has established himself as a menace, routinely clogging passing lanes.

Bazemore deflected the ball 2.7 times per game, matching Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and rarely let his opponent get a clean look against him.

Players guarded by Bazemore shot 7.4 percent below their average on all shots within 10 feet of the rim. The 6’5″ guard managed to contest 6.2 shots per game, a figure higher than John Wall, Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.

For Bazemore to begin garnering recognition as an impactful defender, he will need to finish the season as Atlanta’s team leader in the category.