Tag: Bol Bol

Nuggets’ Bol Bol has sights set on winning NBA Rookie of the Year

Bol boldly laid out his goal of winning Rookie of the Year but then, for a split second, was unsure such expectation was even possible.

Denver Nuggets center Bol Bol boldly laid out his goal of winning the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award but then, for a split second, was unsure such expectation was even possible.

Yes, despite playing last year, Bol is eligible to win the award this season.

The NBA ruled in July that players who debuted during the season restart at the Walt Disney World Resort would still be eligible for the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award since the eight “seeding games” did not count toward the season awards.

Bol did not play with the Nuggets prior to the season suspension on March 11 after recovering from a foot injury suffered at Oregon. However, he did log eight appearances in the G League with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 12 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 19.2 minutes per game.

The expectation for Bol entering the season restart was unclear but it quickly became apparent the Nuggets would use him. He played in each of the team’s three scrimmage games and even started in the restart opener on Aug. 1, finishing with five points and four rebounds in 12 minutes.

The 7-foot-2 center eventually played in seven seeding games and four playoff games during the Nuggets’ run in the postseason. He admitted playing in the bubble was his first time on the court with his teammates but wants the opportunity to play more this season.

“Personally, [I want] to play a lot more and, hopefully, win Rookie of the Year. Can I even still?” Bol said Wednesday on a Zoom call with reporters.

The 21-year-old spent most of the shortened offseason period in Denver working out and training. Teammate Nikola Jokic noticed that Bol looks to be stronger and likes how he has played thus far during training camp ahead of the preseason opener on Saturday.

Bol went viral following a recent practice after the Nuggets posted a few highlights of his performance. On one play, in particular, Bol picked off a pass near the 3-point line and took it coast-to-coast for the emphatic one-handed jam.

The Nuggets upgraded Bol’s contract from a two-way deal to a two-year, standard contract worth $4.2 million. The organization certainly believes he will have a larger role this season and that could result in Bol taking home some hardware as a rookie.

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Bol Bol went viral after highlights from Nuggets practice surface

The 7-foot-2 center was trending on social media after the Nuggets posted a few highlights from practice on Monday.

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On Monday, Bol Bol was trending on social media after the Denver Nuggets posted a few highlights from practice ahead of the start of the 2020-21 season.

Bol showed off his array of skills in the 24-second clip, from his ability to pull-up and shoot to his defensive effort. On one play, in particular, Bol picked off a pass near the 3-point line and then took it coast-to-coast for the emphatic one-handed jam.

The 7-foot-2 center looks to be completely healthy and ready to contribute this season with the Nuggets. He did not play prior to the season suspension last season but made his debut in the bubble, averaging 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in seven appearances.

Bol certainly looked to stay busy over the offseason after showing off his improved game in practice. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has previously said Bol will have to earn his minutes but he certainly looks to be in great shape so far during camp.

Denver will begin preseason play on Saturday vs. the Golden State Warriors.

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Nuggets to sign Bol Bol to a standard, two-year NBA contract

Denver will reportedly upgrade the contract of Bol from a two-way deal prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.

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7-foot-2 center Bol Bol and the Denver Nuggets have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $4.2 million contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Bol was previously signed to a two-way contract last season and made eight appearances with the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League, averaging 12 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 19.2 minutes per game while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range.

The 21-year-old did not appear in a game with the Nuggets prior to the season suspension on March 11 but played in seven games during the restart at the Wide World of Sports Complex. Bol also made four appearances during the playoffs with the Nuggets.

Despite playing seven games with the Nuggets in the season restart, Bol will still be considered a rookie next season because the NBA did not count the eight “seeding games” toward the season awards. As a result of that ruling, Bol will be eligible to win the Rookie of the Year award.

After a rocky start to his career, following a foot injury suffered at Oregon, Bol flashed some of his potential in a limited sample size during the season restart. The Nuggets certainly view Bol as part of their future plans and will keep him in the mix with his new contract.

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Watch: Bol picks off Paul George and goes coast-to-coast for the slam

Bol Bol hadn’t played long after he checked in to make an immediate impact on the floor as the Nuggets played the Clippers on Wednesday.

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Bol Bol hadn’t played long after he checked in to make an immediate impact on the court on Wednesday as the Denver Nuggets played the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bol subbed in toward the end of the first quarter and quickly attempted a 3-pointer and then, on the next defensive possession, swatted a shot away from Lou Williams. The 7-foot-2 center went right to work at the beginning of the second quarter, too.

With just over two minutes gone, Paul George attempted to make a pass from the corner. Bol jumped the pass, picked it off and went coast-to-coast for the slam on the other end of the floor.

Bol logged seven and a half minutes during his first stint on the floor and recorded seven points, one rebound, one steal and one blocked shot. He drained a 3-point range in transition just before checking out in the middle of the second quarter.

Prior to Wednesday, Bol was averaging five points and 2.8 rebounds in five appearances during the season restart at the Wide World of Sports Complex.

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Kyle Kuzma had a great response after hitting game-winner over Bol Bol

Despite having the 7-foot-2 Bol Bol right on him, Kuzma hilariously said he was going to shoot it no matter who was guarding him.

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Denver Nuggets rookie Bol Bol boasts one of the longest wingspans in the NBA but even his outstretched arms weren’t long enough on Monday to block a game-winning shot by Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma.

With the scored tied up at 121 points apiece, the Lakers drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play specifically with Kuzma in mind. Anthony Davis had the ball with Bol guarding him but dumped it off to Kuzma who drained the 3-pointer with just 0.4 seconds left in regulation.

Despite having the 7-foot-2 Bol right on top of him, whose wingspan measures in at 7-foot-8, Kuzma hilariously said afterward that it didn’t matter who was guarding him because he was still going to shoot the ball.

I think Jesus could be in front of me and I would probably still shoot it so it doesn’t really matter to me. I got an open look, it’s a play that we kind of ran in practice a few times prior to the restart and Coach had faith in me and just called my number and it paid off. … Every time we ran that play in practice, I kind of hit the shot so they just went to me.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 29 points while Davis had 27 and Kuzma added 25 in the 124-121 win to snap a three-game losing streak. The Lakers, who have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, improved to 52-18 with the win.

Meanwhile, P.J. Dozier led the Nuggets with 18 points off of the bench as rookie Michael Porter Jr. added 15 and Bol had eight points, five rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot. Denver will finish as either the third or fourth seed.

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Kyle Kuzma had a great line about Jesus after hitting game-winning 3-pointer over Bol Bol

Kyle Kuzma was feeling pretty good after his game-winner.

The Los Angeles Lakers were in a tie game with the Denver Nuggets in the final seconds Monday night in Orlando when they turned to Kyle Kuzma to deliver the game-winner and he didn’t disappoint as his 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left gave LA a thrilling 124-121 win in the NBA bubble.

Kuzma buried the 3-pointer with Denver’s Bol Bol, who is 7-foot-2, stepping out at him after Kuzma took a pass from Anthony Davis on an inbounds play. Kuzma didn’t hesitate at all and sent the Lakers’ bench into hysterics with his buzzer-beater.

Check out his game-winner that snapped the Lakers out of a three-game skid:

Kuzma then had this to say afterward when asked if he was concerned at all when he saw Bol Bol coming out at him:

Shaq had some fun with that quote:

But yeah, Kuzma is feeling pretty confident heading into the playoffs.

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Kyle Kuzma hits game-winner to snap Lakers 3-game losing streak

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a 3-game losing streak with a game-winner against the Denver Nuggets by Kyle Kuzma.

In major need of a mood boost, the Los Angeles Lakers won a thrilling game thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer from Kyle Kuzma that came off of a beautifully executed sideline out of bounds play to help knock off the Denver Nuggets, 124-121. The Nuggets played their reserves for the entirety of the 4th quarter.

The Nuggets, as they have in several games over the last week, played their starters and key players only sparingly. Instead, they closed the game with a reserve laden group starring Mason Plumlee, PJ Dozier and rookie Bol Bol, whose total of career NBA games played is still in the single-digits. Things were looking dicey as the Lakers trailed within the final minute but a lay-up by LeBron James, plus the foul, which gave the Lakers a 121-119 lead with 45 seconds left.

Monte Morris split a pair of free-throws with 30 seconds left that could have tied the game, but LeBron missed a jumper over Bol Bol. Denver then went fullcourt without a timeout and PJ Dozier was fouled by Kyle Kuzma with 4.8 seconds left. L.A. challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful, sending Dozier to the line with a chance to take the lead. But he missed the second free-throw, giving L.A. an opportunity to win the game.

On the following possession, a sideline out of bounds play reminiscent from assistant coach Jason Kidd’s Milwaukee days, Kuzma ended the Lakers losing streak at three games to give them a much-needed change after losing their last three straight games.

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Dwyane Wade tries to match LeBron James unbuttoned look on TNT

LeBron James pulled up to the game with the completely unbuttoned buttoned-shirt and Dwyane Wade was feeling the vibe.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was bringing a Miami type of vibe to his pregame outfit coming into Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. James came through pregame with a fully unbuttoned button-up shirt, looking like he was ready to hit the club before going into their 7th of 8 seeding games against the Denver Nuggets.

James did come through with a winning outfit as the Lakers look to avoid their second four-game losing streak of the season. After James showed off his outfit, Dwyane Wade answered with his own unbuttoned look.

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Miami Drip in Orlando 💧

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Wade had to do it to ’em.

The Lakers have been fairly uninteresting in the Orlando Bubble after clinching the No. 1 seed, but LeBron is adding some much-needed spice to the proceedings. The Lakers offense has fallen rapidly down the rankings and they need to improve their play if they are going to be serious about beating other great teams in the West, such as their opponent on Monday.

 

Bol Bol makes first official NBA basket during Nuggets’ restart opener

Nuggets rookie Bol Bol entered the game on Saturday at the start of the second quarter and immediately drained a shot.

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Denver Nuggets rookie Bol Bol made his official NBA debut on Saturday against the Miami Heat after checking into the season restart opener at the HP Field House at the Wide World of Sports Complex.

Bol did not play with the Nuggets prior to the season suspension on March 11 after dealing with a foot injury suffered in college at Oregon. However, Bol appeared in each of the Nuggets’ three scrimmage games at Disney, averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and three blocks.

The 7-foot-2 center entered the game at the start of the second quarter and immediately drained a little floater to tie the game up at 28 points apiece. Bol recorded two points and two rebounds during his first stint on the floor, which last just over five minutes long.

The Nuggets mostly positioned Bol in the corner on offense to utilize his skill set as a shooter and space the floor. He converted on 35.2% (6-of-17) on his attempts from 3-point range during scrimmage play and showed that he can be a solid floor spacer for the Nuggets.

Prior to the restart opener on Saturday, Bol was seen practicing with the Nuggets but his exact role during the seeding games was unclear. Even after he dazzled in scrimmage play, Bol wasn’t projected to see much time but he very much appears to be in the team’s plan moving forward.

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Bol Bol dominated in NBA scrimmages, but don’t expect him to star in the playoffs

Can we pump the brakes a bit?

The best thing by far about NBA scrimmages ahead of the 2020 restart in the Orlando bubble was Bol Bol.

The former Oregon star and son of ex-NBA star Manute Bol was drafted 44th overall in the 2019 draft by the Miami Heat and traded to the Denver Nuggets. He didn’t play for the club at all until the scrimmages began in Disney World … and then he exploded.

Bol was part of the uber-tall lineup the Nuggets put together to open the scrimmages and he instantly became the darling of NBA Twitter as the 7-foot-2 center swatted shots, hit from distance and generally looked like a stud, including on Monday night in Denver’s final tune-up.

This is where I have to reel it all in. Despite the fact that Bol established that he’s got the kind of game that would be extremely valuable in an NBA rotation in the future, I’m not expecting him to star for the Nuggets in the postseason.

For one, it was the warm-up to the restart, in games that didn’t matter. For another, the Nuggets are super-deep as it is without Bol. Coach Mike Malone has to find frontcourt minutes for Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Will Barton and Michael Porter Jr., the last of whom didn’t play a single minute in scrimmages until Monday night. When he did, he was so good:

I don’t foresee Malone giving significant minutes to a rookie in that crowded rotation, especially in the postseason. The good news is the Nuggets continue to find diamonds in the rough in the draft — they got Porter when he dropped all the way to 14th overall in 2018 and took Monte Morris in the second round of the 2017 draft — and Bol could develop into a good stretch forward if he can repeat this kind of performance in games that count.

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