Journey of the OKC Thunder Bench to Find an Identity – Video Analysis
By Cole Hixon
Passing
In years past, Kanter was one of the few big men it made sense to send a double team to when they were in the post, because of his scoring deftness and lack of passing ability. This year he has improved remarkably at recognizing where double teams are coming from and making the correct play.
Example 1:
In this clip, Kanter gets the ball in the post. Jerami Grant cuts through to clear the side for Kanter to go to work. But, Vince Carter lets Grant go to double Kanter who recognizes this and immediately hits Grant with a pass for a dunk.
Example 2:
It happens here again against the Timberwolves. As Grant goes to cut through, his man stays to double Kanter. Enes sees it and hits Grant for another easy dunk.
Example 3:
The pass out of the double team is not the only pass Kanter has improved on. He has gotten much better on the skip pass out of the post. Here he catches the Timberwolves napping for a Lauvergne three.
Example 4:
In this clip Kanter skips it to Grant in the corner, the defense reacts and leave Abrines open for a three point shot.
Example 5:
An interesting wrinkle the Thunder have added recently is to have Abrines not cut through after the entry pass and almost dare the opposing team to double. In this example Zach Lavine digs down and helps one pass away and it leads to a nice catch and shoot three pointer for Abrines.
Example 6:
The fear of Kanter’s passing has also helped. The play after Abrines hits the three, Lavine doesn’t double and Kanter is able to bully his way to the basket.
Next up, I look at one area of Kanter’s game which is still a work in progress.