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In a shock decision rarely seen in the league, the Chinese Basketball Association club Ningbo Rockets announced that it’s immediately going to waive United States’ import Darius Bazley, citing the player’s “serious violation of professional ethics”. The club, which is going all out in the final stretch of the regular season to try to secure a playoff spot, announced it will cut Bazley, a former NBA player, after the 25-year-old forward lost control of his emotions and got involved in fierce physical altercation with teammates over a turnover during Ningbo’s 97-119 loss to league leader Shanghai Sharks on Wednesday. With one minute and 51 seconds left in the first quarter, Bazley got into a heated debate with teammate Zavier Simpson, another of Ningbo’s US imports, over a turnover, which saw Bazley’s careless in-bound pass intercepted by Shanghai’s Zhang Zhenlin, resulting in a quick 3-pointer.
Paul also watched the games to teach. He would constantly engage his regular guests -- a group that also included then-rookie forward Darius Bazley -- in basketball banter. They'd talk about the tendencies of players they were watching. Paul would frequently focus on specific actions teams would run and discuss defensive tactics the Thunder might use against those schemes. "It was nothing crazy, to tell you the truth," Paul told ESPN. "It was more so just camaraderie."
Mike Trudell: Darius Bazley, who’s had a strong summer for the Lakers as he battles to get back on an NBA roster in the fall, went down in the 2nd Q with an injury and had to be carted off to the locker room. We’ll look for an update after the game.
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Michael Scotto: Darius Bazley will join Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, sources told @hoopshype. He began the season with the Guangdong Southern Tigers (CBA) after playing last season with the Sixers and Jazz. He’s averaged 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in 5 NBA seasons pic.x.com/LwNyG0rDkO
Michael Scotto: Darius Bazley and Kenny Lofton Jr. were each eligible to receive $400K of their salary guaranteed if they remained with the Utah Jazz through July 25th. Instead, both were waived by the team.
Bobby Marks: Utah announced that they have waived Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Darius Bazley. Both players contracts were set to be guaranteed $400K if they were on the roster past July 25. Utah has $37.7M in salary cap space. To reach the minimum salary floor, Utah has to spend $23.7M by the first day of the regular season. The window to renegotiate the $18M Lauri Markkanen contract begins on August 6.
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In the bubble, Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort and Bazley would pile into a room together to watch basketball on off-nights. They’d discuss strategy and then translate those basketball lessons to the court in Orlando. Paul remembers a game where the opposing team brought its big men up to the level of the screen, guarding Gilgeous-Alexander. “Most of these young guys in the league only know drop defense,” Paul said. “It was funny, man, Shai in that Canadian accent: ‘C, what do I do?’ We talked about shows. The low man is going to be here, look at the corner, all that stuff. Now you watch him and he’s just so comfortable with his game.”
Clemente Almanza: Darius Bazley talked about SGA’s ascension to an MVP candidate “You can tell he wanted more. There’s some guys I’ve been around coming into their 2nd/3rd year like, ‘I just gotta play good.’ Shai was beyond (that).” (via Run Your Race/@TidalLeague) pic.twitter.com/55qb01haXA
Darius Bazley talked about SGA’s ascension to an MVP candidate
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 25, 2024
“You can tell he wanted more. There’s some guys I’ve been around coming into their 2nd/3rd year like, ‘I just gotta play good.’ Shai was beyond (that).”
(via Run Your Race/@TidalLeague)
pic.twitter.com/55qb01haXA
