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OKC Thunder 30 for 30 part 23 – A Thabo Sefolosha breakdown

By Lawrence George

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 4: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Maccabi Haifa in preseason action at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 4, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 4: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Maccabi Haifa in preseason action at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 4, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder 30 for 30 Series (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Perimeter Defense

While four years have passed since his tenure in Oklahoma City, Thabo remains an excellent perimeter defender capable of guarding the best offensive option on opposing teams. The 34 year-old posted a solid plus-4.7 net rating (102.1) prior to his season ending MCL tear. While Utah finished the season with the second best defensive rating in the league (101.6) were 0.5 points better with Sefolosha off the court, the Swiss played primarily without Rudy Gobert.

At 6’7 and a monster 7’3 wingspan, the veteran continues to utilize his exceptionally high defensive IQ and length to bother opposing teams primary offensive options. He averaged 1.4 steals per game last season and takes calculated gambles when playing the passing lanes. Similar to Roberson, the Swiss is excellent on switches and plays bigger players tough on the low block. While he won’t overpower bigger forwards in the post, Sefolosha uses quick hands to bother the dribbler and force lose balls.

It remains to be seen how Thabo returns following surgery to repair his MCL. If he comes back the same, the veteran remains one of the better perimeter defenders around the league.

Intangibles

Every championship team needs role players willing to step-up and take it to opposing stars. Sefolosha is a blue-collar player that bring tremendous value through hustle, physicality and competition. Intangible qualities are often overlooked but are a necessary requirement to shift momentum of games or inject energy if the team is struggling.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, Sefolosha gets into it with the King LeBron James and forces the refs to call a double technical.

The double-technical rule is one of the controversial rules in the league however, these kind of plays are sometimes needed. Effort plays and veteran players make championship teams and his intangibles contribute to the success of the team overall.

Weakness

Consistent Perimeter Shooting

Throughout his 11 year career, Sefolosha has always struggled with consistent perimeter shooting. Prior to his injury last season, the Swiss shot 38.1 percent from deep on 2.2 attempts and was on track to have his best season since 2012-13. Thabo shot a career best 41.9 percent from range that season in Oklahoma City colors.

While the veteran shot impressively from the corners (21-46 for 46.5 percent), he converted just 27 percent of his shots above the break (10-37). He isn’t a comfortable shot taker thus needs to restrict his attempts from those spots and concentrate on taking corner three’s.

Thabo can’t create his own shot and needs others to create for him. On catch and shoot attempts, he converted at a reasonable 36.8 percent rate. He is a confidence shooter and if the shot isn’t falling, he will shy away from letting it fly. To be accounted for on offense, Sefolosha needs to find consistency from deep to provide spacing.

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