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

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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Cameron Payne
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

OKC Thunder Bench – Continuing Evolution

The Thunder bench has evolved a great deal on the offensive side of the ball since the beginning ofthe season. That said, they also still have a long way to go on the defensive side of the ball.

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When Roberson, Adams and Westbrook are all off the floor the Thunder allow 121.7 points per 100 possessions via NBAwowy. If you take Oladipo off too, that number gets even worse at 128.0 points per 100 possessions.

The bench will also have to find ways to take advantage of the return of Cameron Payne. He is a more dynamic offensive player than Christon and can create shots out of the pick and roll. The very thing that the bench has gone away from over the course of the season. It will be interesting to see how they balance this once Payne gets comfortable.

For now, the young Thunder bench is getting better and that is encouraging news midway through the season.