OKC Thunder: Five Takeaways from Third Straight Home Loss

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2. OKC Thunder needs to figure out their pick & roll gameplan

Last postseason the Thunder’s defense was able to cause so many problems because they were able to switch on every screen. This team hasn’t lost much of that athleticism yet they haven’t maintained that same style of defense.

Nov 13, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and guard Andre Roberson (21) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

At times this season the Thunder have switched on all screens. We’ve seen that with the uber athletic lineup of Westbrook-Oladipo-Roberson-Grant-Adams. It worked to some extent, but there were communication issues (understandably).

After Orlando routinely and successfully attacked Oklahoma City all night, Billy has to make a change in how the team guards the play. Instead of pulling the big away from his man (the screener) Donovan should make him hedge quickly then pull back. The Thunder’s guards are athletic enough to recover in time and it allows the big to keep track of his man.

The Magic were able to get the ball inside far too many times tonight; a lot of that had to do with OKC big men being too far from the basket. A simple adjustment on pick & roll defense could do wonders for the defense.

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