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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 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jordan Hill (27) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jordan Hill (27) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Bully Ball:

This is classic Enes Kanter, get the ball in the post and bully your way to the hoop with a combination of strength and footwork.

Example 1:

In this clip, Kanter catches the ball just inside the 3 point line, but is able to get a shot just outside the restricted area.

Example 2:

In this example Kanter bullies his way to the block, passes out, re-posts and gets a nice hook shot just outside the restricted area.

 

It is rare to see this in any volume in today’s NBA, but the bench heavy units for the Thunder get very little shot creation from their wings and have had to find other ways to create offense. Kanter’s improved passing in these post situations have allowed the Thunder to make it the focal point of the bench’s offense.

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