Breakout Watch: It’s time to unleash Bol Bol

The dark horse candidate to push the Suns into title contention could be hiding in plain sight.

Bol Bol re-signing with the Suns this offseason was a move that some may have taken for granted. I am not in that group.

While there is a long way for him to go from a developmental perspective, the flashes he displayed last season were undeniable. At times he looked like a superstar, even if it was for a sequence or two followed by “disappearing” for stretches.

Can this be the year the 24-year-old from Sudan puts it all together?

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Bol is listed at 7’3” with a 7’8” wingspan. He is a capable shooter. He can contest shots. He has shown that he can handle the ball in transition.

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

He appeared in 43 games for the Suns a season ago, averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Are you yawning at how uninspiring that looks? I don’t blame you. He barely even saw the court (13 total minutes) in the 1st Round sweep against Minnesota.

So why should there be optimism surrounding Bol Bol? Is it because he is a meme or a fan favorite? I certainly think not, though I will admit he is about as likable of a player that the Suns have had in some time.

This 25-point, 14-rebound performance was one for the ages and is exactly why it’s okay to have some optimism surrounding the young man.

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

What I saw in him last season was improved confidence for longer stretches. He was not forcing shots or carelessly turning the ball over like we saw in Orlando. His field goal percentage increased across the board.

He shot a career-best 71.7% from the field on two-point field goals. Along with that, Bol posted a career-best 42.3% from three-point range. While he only attempted 19 free throws on the season, he hit 15 of them, good for a 79% free throw clip.

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

Look at those strides. Now think about Bol having Tyus Jones and Monte Morris looking for him in transition or in the half-court. I mean, at all times, really. This could be fun.

The Suns do not have a lot of rim protection, and while Bol isn’t your typical rim protector, he is one in his own way. The length and wingspan plus closing speed he has to make him a potent defender through disruption.

He must get stronger — there is no question that is his weakness on that end. If he can shoot near the 40 percent mark from three on a higher volume and continue to be a disruptive force defensively, there is a role for him.

On a larger scale, if his confidence soars and he shows he isn’t a defensive liability, there is a world where Bol closes games for the Suns. It’s not an outlandish thought to have.

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

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

Us too, Kevin. Us too.