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Dissecting the OKC Thunder Road Woes and Regressing Defense

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Mar 5, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) looses the ball while guarded by Dallas Maverick forward Wesley Matthews (23) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) looses the ball while guarded by Dallas Maverick forward Wesley Matthews (23) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Post All-Star Break – Struggle Is Real:

Defensive Rank:

Arguably the most concerning issue at hand is the regression of the OKC Thunder defensive prowess since the break.  Consistently the squad ranked in the top ten, spending most of the season ranked 7th.  On the season the Thunder remains ranked top 10 (105.1). The post All-Star break they’ve slid to 13th (106.0).

And while there was sure to be growing pains with three significant roster additions, it’s the severity of OKC’s downward slide that stands out. This is truest on the road where the Thunder’s road defense ranks them 23rd post-break (109.8).

Opponents Also Slip:

However, two of the Thunder’s opponents post-break defensive slippage is equally shocking:

Memphis ranks 30th (114.5) a drop from 5th on the season (103.5). While Houston has fallen from 15th (105.8)  to 21st (108.1).

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