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4 ways Kent Bazemore improves the Portland Trail Blazers

By Ty Delbridge

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 30: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a basket by John Collins #20 along with drawing a foul from the Portland Trail Blazers at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 30: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a basket by John Collins #20 along with drawing a foul from the Portland Trail Blazers at Philips Arena on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Length and athleticism

Turner is a bigger and stronger player than Bazemore. The Blazers will lose some offensive and defensive versatility in that way. However, Bazemore’s unique length and athleticism for a guard will help make up for it.

Bazemore is 6’5”, 201 pounds and has a 7’0” wingspan. He is a quick and explosive athlete on both ends of the court. It helps him on offense by getting by defenders, finishing at the rim and making plays on the break. Bazemore is a good leaper off one or two feet and can throw down some hard dunks.

On defense, his length and quickness help him bother passing lanes (143 deflections last year), contest/block shots, grab rebounds and stay in front of bigger/quicker guys. He can defend 1-3 and even some smaller 4s. Bazemore has ranked inside the top 15 for total blocked shots in a season for guards the last three years in a row.

Portland does not have a guard on the roster quite like him. He will have the ability to play both shooting guard and small forward for the Blazers and should have no issue playing alongside Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum or Anfernee Simons.

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