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OKC Thunder 30 for 30 Part 7: Welcoming another Reggie to OKC

By Lawrence George

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons and Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets tip off at the start of the game on February 25, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons and Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets tip off at the start of the game on February 25, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder target Reggie Bullock
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 29: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 29, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Legitimate Sniper from Deep

Bullock was absolutely tremendous shooting the rock from beyond the arc. He finished second in the league in 3-point percentage (44.5), shot 45 percent in catch and shoot situations and 45 percent on pull-up threes. More impressively, he attempted 3.8 catch and shoot threes per game and converted at an other-worldly rate.

His career high came in Detroit’s 125-114 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He posted 22 points (9-15 from the field, 4-6 3-pointers, 0-1 Free Throws), two rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes.

More specifically, Bullock converted 45 percent of his 3-point attempts above the break (91-202), 41.9 percent from the right corner (18-43) and 45.7 percent from the left corner (16-35). His ability to hit from anywhere on the floor would be a huge upgrade for a Thunder unit who collectively, couldn’t hit the right side of a barn. OKC finished 23rd in 3-point percentage (35.5) despite attempting 30.2 attempts, 11th most in the league.

When OKC have surrounded Russ with four shooters, the Thunder are almost impossible to stop. The problem is Oklahoma City have never had those line-ups available to them on a consistent basis.

Off-ball Movement

For years, Oklahoma City’s offense has relied heavily on isolation. With Paul George and Russell Westbrook returning, this is unlikely to change. However, incorporating players who actually move off the ball (ala Andre Roberson) creates distraction, keeping defenses occupied rather than  allowing them to remain stationary and hone on OKC’s ball handler.

Bullock moves exceptionally well without the ball.

While being primarily a jump shooter (177-399 attempts), Bullock is solid finishing at the rack. He converted an impressive 60.7 percent of lay-ups (88-145) and finished 75 percent of cuts to the basket (21-28 ). With defenses keyed in on Westbrook, PG13 and newly acquired Dennis Schroder, his movement would further space the floor.

Defense

Bullock posted a 105.4 defensive rating last season on a Detroit Pistons team who ranked 11th in defensive efficiency (104.7). While he lacks the lateral quickness of many small forwards, he possesses a high defensive IQ. Bullock understands team spacing and often ushers opposing players into help defense if beaten off the dribble. In individual match-ups he demonstrates  a great deal of patience, rarely gambling on steals or biting on pump fakes.

In the final 30 seconds of Detroit’s 104-101 win over the New York Knicks, Bullock does a fantastic job in the final two defensive possessions of the game. He stays ground bound on a Courtney Lee pump fake and manages to block the shot on the Knicks second to last possession and denies Kristaps Porzingis the ball in the final possession.

With the return of Dre from injury, the Thunder figure to have a top five defensive unit this upcoming season. Bullock’s contributions on the defensive end would further solidify OKC’s suffocating defenisve mindset.

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