OKC Thunder: All-Star Break Report Card
Defense: C
Defense is one of the few areas of the game that the Thunder don’t play at an elite level. The Thunder are underachieving as a team defensively, especially considering the types of athletes that are on their roster.
Westbrook has the physical gifts to allow him to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the league, but his effort level and gambles for steals prevent him from playing at that level. There are multiple instances where Westbrook has lost his man ball-watching or came up empty on a steal attempt, leading to an easy look for the offense.
Even though he is leading the league with 2.3 steals, Westbrook needs to improve on both his individual and team defense. He is not the only player who needs to improve their effort, but he has potential to make the biggest impact.
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OKC ranks 11th overall in team defensive rating and 16th in points allowed, which leaves plenty of room for improvement before the playoffs arrive. Average defense won’t get the job done in a seven-game series against a high-caliber opponent.
Forcing turnovers is a telltale sign of defensive intensity and effectiveness, and the Thunder are one of the worst teams at doing it. Opponents are only coughing the ball up 13.1 times per game, which is less than the Thunder are giving away on offense (15.1).
Out of the 7.6 steals the Thunder are able to come up with each game, Westbrook accounts for 30 percent of them, and Dion Waiters is the only other member of the team averaging one steal per game.
When the Thunder are able to turn the other team over, they are a better team. Their roster is loaded with players who can finish in transition, and they excel in scoring on the fast break.
More focus and effort on the defensive end would go a long way to getting this team back to the NBA Finals for the first time since losing to the Miami Heat in 2011.
Next: Rebounding