To face Thunder is to open a window to hell. With a staff made up of formidable defenders, from the pests of the back lines to the goalkeepers who protect the basket, Oklahoma City has built the best defense in the NBA and put its opponents through torture.
This is what allows the group Mark Daigneaultfirst in the Western Conference, to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the NBA this season. With the second-best differential in the league (+11 per 100 possessions), he’s hot on the heels of the nearly unbeatable Cavaliers (+11.8). Yet the two franchises take opposite approaches.
While their counterparts in the East shine with their sizzling offense, Oklahoma City stands out for its breathless defense. With an ultra-aggressive style, they relentlessly track every ball, stopping their opponents and turning the slightest opportunity into a counter-attack.
“We want to be the type of defense that can destroy the opposing offense”Daigneault announced on October 30, after the victory against the Spurs (103-93) where the Thunder made 18 interceptions, a record this season. “We want to make it difficult to play against us. » And that’s exactly what defines his collective this year.
CQFR: Wembanyama and Lillard shine, win back for KD
Breaking up opposing attacks, Thunder’s specialty
Despite the injuries ofIsaiah Hartenstein at the start of the season and Chet Holmgrenthe Thunder is the most efficient defense in the NBA. The team allowed just 103.2 points per 100 possessions – 11 fewer than the league average. But beyond the statistics, this dominance was evident as they sowed chaos in the enemy ranks.
With specialists such as Luguentz was there, Alex Caruso etc Cason WallaceOklahoma City implements one of the most aggressive defensive back lines. They are always looking to take the ball out of their opponents’ hands and cut off passing lanes. This disruptive approach proved to be very effective: they generated 12 interceptions per 100 possessions, by far the best average in the league.
Faced with these ringworms, no relaxation is allowed. A small mistake is paid for immediately. In the pick-and-roll, for example, the ball carrier loses possession one out of four times (24%) according to Basketball Index. A true purgatory.
This ability to break up the opponent’s attacks directly feeds into their own attack. In fact, they played on 17.8% of their possessions in transition, the third-best average in the league, including two-thirds after an interception, according to Glass Cleaning. In these fast-paced play situations, they showed remarkable efficiency (116.5 points/100 possessions). In chaos they thrive.
“A lot of our offense flows directly from our defense”analyzed Jalen Williams after the Thunder’s loss against the Spurs on November 19 (104-110). “Our attack is obviously better when we invest more in defense […] It was our defensive aggressiveness that allowed us to get stops and go in transition. That’s where we can open up our game. “
Elite and interchangeable defenders
Even if the offense manages to control the ball, you have to put it in the basket. Apparently on paper, but a real headache on the ground faced by this extremely mobile worker, who can move all the screens without offering anything real. mismatch.
Jalen Williams has an incredible versatility that allows him to defend all positions, including the pivots, which he always takes care of. Luguentz Dort has the body to contain any player in the league, while Chet Holmgren’s mobility allows him to adapt to any situation. The list does not end there. Both in the major five and the bench, this interchange forms the basis of Oklahoma City’s defensive system.
Since the start of the season, the franchise has been experimenting with lineups small ball which proved particularly formidable. Few teams – perhaps even none – can field five players on the outside as versatile and efficient as they are, able to switch against any opponent while maintaining constant pressure on the ball.
Opposing attacks sometimes find themselves targeting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who often has a physical advantage over his opponent and remains a solid defender. A choice that speaks volumes about the defensive talent of his teammates.
Unmatched versatility in the NBA
But the Thunder did not continue to move systematically. He adapts. He has a wide variety of defenders in his squad, and Mark Daigneault, undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the league, knows how to get the best out of each profile. His team can go through screens as well as guard a circle defender drop coverage or defending the zone. They can do anything, and adjust their approach depending on the opponent and the situation.
And even without Chet Holmgren, one of the best interior defenders in the league and a serious DPOY candidate, the team remains elite in terms of rim protection thanks to its creativity. Their wings were able to mask the lack of racket, while waiting for the base to return to their defense.
Jalen Williams defended pivots 25% of the time, and Alex Caruso 22%. We also see players like Dillon Jones or Frenchman Ousmane Dieng in this role. They often apply equal pressure to the ball, sometimes up to two or three grips when a player receives the ball on the racket.
Despite their exterior-oriented style, Oklahoma City has left no stone unturned on the inside. They are the second team to contest the most shots near the rim (6.31 per 75 possessions, or 42.11% of shots, several tenths of first place in the NBA). They have been among the teams that have most affected their opponents’ success percentage inside since the start of the season. An anomaly, given their aggressiveness.
↑ Percentage of shots under contested basket / → Defense of passing lanes (by Basketball Index)
Thunder wall has no flaws. Boasting a versatility and talent level unmatched in the NBA, the team has built one of the best defenses in recent years. And as the franchise project matures, it won’t be surprising if it eventually becomes one of the best defenses in history.
What if James Harden stayed with the Thunder? “We should have won at least two titles”