Breakout Watch: It’s time to unleash Bol Bol

The underdog candidate who could propel the Suns into title contention may be hiding in plain sight.

Bol Bol’s re-signing with the Suns this offseason was a move some might have taken for granted. I’m not part of that group.

While he still has a long way to go in terms of development, the flashes he showed last season are undeniable. He looked like a superstar at times, even if it was just for a stretch or two followed by “disappearances” for stretches.

Will this be the year the 24-year-old Sudanese manages to pull out all the stops?

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Bol stands 7’3″ and has a 8’10” wingspan. He’s a capable shooter. He can contest shots. He’s shown he can handle the ball in transition.

These are serious ingredients that he can build on to become a vital rotation player for at least any NBA team.

He played 43 games for the Suns last season, averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. You yawn at the thought of that, but I don’t blame you. He barely played (13 total minutes) in the first round against Minnesota.

So why should anyone be optimistic about Bol Bol? Is it because he’s a meme or a fan favorite? I certainly don’t think so, although I will admit that he’s one of the most likable players the Suns have had in quite some time.

This performance of 25 points and 14 rebounds is historic and it is exactly the reason why it is normal to have a certain optimism around the young man.

“He’s been more than I expected,” Durant said of Bol. “His intangibles, his work ethic, his IQ, all those things that I didn’t really think about when it came to [Bol]This is the basis of his game.”

What I saw from him last season was an increased confidence over longer stretches. He wasn’t forcing shots or giving the ball away carelessly like we saw in Orlando. His field goal percentage increased across the board.

He shot 71.7 percent of his two-pointers, a career-high. Bol also shot 42.3 percent of his three-pointers, a career-high. Although he only attempted 19 free throws this season, he made 15 of them, giving him a career-high 79 percent of his free throws.

That type of efficiency on a lower volume and playing just 10.9 minutes per game is something to keep in mind. He’s not going to play a major role offensively on a team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. There will be times when help is needed, and if it’s someone Coach Bud can trust, the opportunity will present itself. will be there.

Look at those strides. Now imagine Bol having Tyus Jones and Monte Morris looking for him in transition or half-court. I mean, anytime, really. That could be fun.

The Suns don’t have much in the way of basket protection, and while Bol isn’t a typical basket protector, he is one in his own way. His length and wingspan, along with his closing speed, make him a powerful defender when there’s a disruption.

He needs to get stronger – that’s definitely his weakness in that area. If he can shoot close to 40 percent from three-point range with higher volume and continue to be a disruptive force on defense, he has a role to play.

On a larger scale, if his confidence skyrockets and he shows he’s not a defensive liability, there’s a world where Bol closes out games for the Suns. That’s not a far-fetched thought.

Enjoy these highlights from the Suns’ versatile forward. It’s Bol Bol SZN in the desert.

“I love everything about Bol, and you can tell that everybody loves him or supports him, even the crowd,” Kevin Durant said. “Every stadium we go to, they support him. He’s just a great soul, man. I love being around him.”

Us too, Kevin. Us too.