Kings: How Marvin Bagley Can Still Become A Star

Right-Hand Issues

I honestly think that Marvin Bagley sometimes forgets that he even has a right hand.

At least once a game when he’s around the basket, Bagley will isolate on his man and throw up an ugly forced attempt when the defender doesn’t allow him to get to his left.

I can understand Bagley’s dependency on his left hand, given that when he gets the opportunity to elevate for the left-handed hook from the short post, it is usually money. However, when the defense doubles him or forces him the other way, he often turns the ball over or forces up a bad shot.

In the play below, Bagley was given an open invite to go up and under with his right hand, but instead chose to force up a left-handed shot that he had to travel to even attempt. (3:27)

It is not so much that Bagley has a bad right hand, but more that he just refuses to use it. The few times we’ve seen him use his right, he has looked surprisingly smooth and capable.

During a game against the Suns in his rookie season, Bagley impressively spun off Deandre Ayton to finish with his right hand. (7:40)

The fact that we’ve seen Bagley use his right effectively, makes me think he has that exists in his bag, but he’s just going to need to utilize it more often. His dependence on his left hand seems to be more of a mental thing rather than a physical one. If he can alter his mindset around the hoop, then he’d be better off.