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NBA: 5 All-Star Bench Players Of The West

By Colby Giacubeno

Oct 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) guards Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) guards Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) shoots the ball in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) shoots the ball in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

PF- Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder

2015-16 Statistics: 11.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 56.3 FG%

Since being moved to the bench from the start to this season, Enes Kanter has been extremely productive in his minutes that he is on the floor–offensively, at least. He is a part of Oklahoma City’s lineup of death when they want to score in bunches. Kevin Durant moves to the power forward while Kanter is moved to center.

Between the trio of Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Kanter, it is hard for any opponent to score with them.

Kanter’s numbers are down slightly from last season mainly because his big cut in minutes. This season he is averaging 20.2 minutes per game compared to last season’s 31.1 while with the Thunder. No matter the minutes played, Kanter is still one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA. He ranks fourth overall in field-goal percentage (56.3 percent).

Kanter is ranked second on the team in rebounds per game and has recorded nine double-doubles this season.

The Thunder remain one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference. Although it seems as if San Antonio and Golden State have separated themselves from the pack, the Thunder still demand the respect of those teams because of their ability to put up points in such a quick manner.

If they could buckle down defensively, it would take them to a whole new level and give them a better chance of competing with the Spurs and Warriors come playoff time.

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