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Journey of the OKC Thunder Bench to Find an Identity – Video Analysis

By Cole Hixon

Mar 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts from the bench area during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts from the bench area during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) falls to the floor after being fouled against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) falls to the floor after being fouled against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Turning Point

The bench’s struggles were amplified when Oladipo injured his wrist and missed nine games, but the injury oddly may have helped speed up the development of the bench. Anthony Morrow was put in the starting lineup and Abrines was able to get some consistent minutes after playing only 49 seconds total the seven games previous to the Oladipo injury.

Somewhere around this time the Thunder made an adjustment, opting to run more post up plays for Kanter and less high pick and roll sets. This move took the ball out of Christon’s hands, who was struggling in the pick and roll. Christon was often unable to find the roll man or get all the way to the rim, which led to him being forced to the short corner and having to kick it out to reset the offense.

RELATED STORY: Analyzing the performance and effect of Semaj Christon

The adjustment was gradual at first and has evolved into almost their entire offense when Westbrook sits. The approach is simple. Get Kanter the ball on the left block, spread the floor and let him do the rest.

Let’s look at the ways the Kanter has been able to create offense from the post.

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