Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

5 takeaways from OKC Thunder brutal Game 3 loss

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 11: Coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder speaks with his team before halftime during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 11, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 11: Coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder speaks with his team before halftime during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 11, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Game 3
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Russell Westbrook /

Jazz are a ‘TEAM’, but Rudy Gobert is their master:

There are those who question anointing Rudy Gobert the Defensive Player of the Year. This because he missed 26 games this season.

But through three games of this first round series Gobert has made it clear why his presence makes the Utah Jazz something special. Sure, Quin Snyder is pulling all the right strings, but Gobert is the unequivocal leader of this squad. In Game 1 Gobert got in early foul trouble. Coincidentally, this was the only game the OKC Thunder won.

Diving into his effect on the court the Jazz are head and shoulders defensively better with him.  But, it’s not just that simple. He protects the rim and rebounds, yes. But, it’s his affect to the entire lineup which registers

Gobert the defensive master:

Putting Gobert’s effect into perspective. When Gobert is on court his defensive numbers are 101.4 and when he sits the team is 111.6 defensively. That’s a 10.2 differential, like I can’t even begin to fathom that huge differential. Although it does make Thunder Nation pine for Andre Roberson and wonder what his effect would have on this series! (side bar: if Gobert is going to win DPOY then I hope Roberson gets consideration for NBA All Defensive team).

Surely for Donovan he has to see the key for OKC is to drive the ball and run repeated Adams-Westbrook pick and rolls (or George-Adams PNR) to get the big man in early foul trouble.  In games this season the OKC Thunder dominated (Warriors/Rockets/Raptors), the Adams PNR was a thing of beauty. Although it appears Adams is dealing with copious injuries everyone of Thunder Nation knows he’d play with a broken arm if he had to, so he’ll also deliver in this regard.

From this scribe’s perspective the main key to this series is this advantage and OKC have to exploit it.

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