Steven Adams OKC Thunder (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Despite an up and down season and injuries to the roster the OKC Thunder have the second best defense through the first month of play.
The OKC Thunder ranks as one of the best teams in the league defensively, but there is still room to improve. TI examines what the team is doing well, what they can improve on, and what to expect when the squad is 100 percent.
Where OKC Thunder excel:
OKC Thunder is ranked number one in steals so far this season with 11.4 per game. Their closest competitor in this category is the Memphis Grizzlies who register 10.1 per game.
Being adept at snagging steals allows the Thunder to get out in transition and score buckets on the fast break. OKC rank second the league on points off turnovers with 22.2 per contest. The Thunder get these opportunities through a variety of defensive actions. OKC deflect balls (average 14.2 per game), interrupt passing lanes, close out on 3-point shooters and force opposing offences into tough last second decisions. spear headed by Paul George, spearheads the defense and leads the league in steals with 2.8 per game
OKC Thunder players all seem interchangeable when it comes to switching; a key in the modern NBA game. Teams exploit defenders for going under pick and rolls by jacking up treys. The Thunder rank sixth in the league in opponents 3-point percent per game, giving up a stingy 33 percent and allow just under 10 treys per game.
Another key is Steven Adams close outs on shooters. A year ago this seemed like a bad decision because the Thunder had no other rim protectors to help. But, this year with Jerami Grant playing the four, it gives OKC another paint protecting shot blocker. The Thunder rank 17th in the league with 5.5 blocks per game.
The defensive rating for the Thunder this year is at 103.6, ranking second only to the Celtics (102.7). Last season OKC ranked ninth defensively (106.3), so the early returns point to an improved defense.