The OKC Thunder are entering 2018 with a record of 20-17. Losers of their last two games, the Thunder are looking to right the ship against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
2017 was a high-and-low year for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Naturally we highlight the MVP season Russell Westbrook had, the days we traded for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, and the year that OKC turned the page from Kevin Durant.
Then the season began, and OKC struggled to find itself offensively. In fact, OKC still ranks 20th in points, averaging about 103 per game. This team still struggles shooting the ball and running plays that aren’t isolation driven. However, now, it appears the defense is at the beginning stages of slipping.
The Thunder are allowing teams to score 100.3 points per game, third in the league. Here’s the stat we need to keep an eye on: OKC is allowing opponents to make 10.8 three-point shots per game. Most of their opponents shoot an average of 30 three-point shots a game. With Steven Adams, Andre Roberson and Paul George you have a solid defensive core. But they aten’t doing enough to defend the perimeter.
Looking at the quarter-by-quarter breakdown, OKC is a top-five defensive team in the first two quarters. Allowing only 24.7 points in the first quarter and 24.1 in the second quarter, OKC is likely worn out by the time the third quarter begins. This could explain the drastic drop off, as they allow 26.2 points per third quarter this season.
Now you may say, that’s only two points, how bad can that be? Well, it drops their ranking from the top-five to 18th in points allowed in the frame. This doesn’t even mention their struggles to score in the third either.
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You’ve heard the team and coaching staff say this team struggles to put together complete games. While that is mostly true, the issue now is a lack of defensive identity when Roberson misses time. Head coach Billy Donovan struggled to fill the void, starting Josh Huestis against Dallas on New Year’s Eve. However, Dallas shined from the perimeter shooting 15-of-34 from three.
As a result, Dallas was able to sneak by the OKC Thunder 116-113. The hidden beauty is that the OKC Thunder can grow from games like this. They must guard the three-point shot better in 2018. Also, OKC must continue to attack the paint on the offensive end of the floor. They average 41.2 points in the paint. That number needs to increase by 10 for 2018.
All-in-all the Thunder are in a prime spot for 2018. Aside from Golden State, there isn’t a clear runaway favorite in the Western Conference. The OKC Thunder can use the month of January to move further up in the standings with games against the Suns, Kings, Nets and the Pistons.
That’s assuming that 2018 brings better fortunes for this team than 2017.