Oklahoma City Thunder Quietly Back as One of NBA's Elite

Oklahoma City Thunder Quietly Back as One of NBA’s Elite

Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense

Throughout Scott Brooks‘ tenure as head coach, the Oklahoma City Thunder maintained a high level of defensive intensity. Billy Donovan has helped Oklahoma City stay the course in 2015-16.

Thus far, the Thunder are No. 9 in scoring defense and No. 4 in opponent field goal percentage.

Those two numbers paint a promising picture for a Thunder team that has a number of high-caliber defenders. Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka anchor the defensive interior, while Andre Roberson, Russell Westbrook, and a vastly improved Kevin Durant help along the perimeter.

That team-oriented embrace has the Thunder sitting comfortably at No. 7 in defensive efficiency.

The Thunder aren’t a perfect team on defense, but they have an extraordinary combination of size, length, and explosiveness. Ibaka is an elite shot-blocker, Durant is a matchup nightmare, Adams is an enforcer, Roberson is like a leach on off-ball shooters, and Westbrook leads the league in steals.

If Donovan can get his team to maintain this level of consistency and focus throughout the playoffs, the Thunder can beat anyone.

Next: The Obvious Strength

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