Three strategies OKC Thunder can use to fix shooting issues

Dictate out of the post

As I have pointed out in previous pieces, Oklahoma City pound teams when Thunder bigs are dominating inside. Steven Adams and (to a lesser extent) Nerlens Noel have been utilized as facilitators out of the post, finding cutters on the way to the bucket. Should OKC move forward with its current roster, I expect more action from the block.

As it stands OKC is doing a tremendous job forcing turnovers and playing in transition but struggle mightily in the half-court. Opposing teams are electing to collapse the paint when Westbrook or Schroder drives into the paint and the Thunder are forcing up tough, contested jumpers that will make a fourth grade coach cry.

One-way to neutralize this is to throw it down low and force defenses to make a decision. Allow Adams and Noel to go to work or double team to force the ball out of their hands

Here, Adams takes his time on the low block and schools rookie Deandre Ayton down low.

So far this season, Adams and Noel have shown great awareness finding cutters to the hoop. In the clip below, Adams is patient and finds a cutting Ferguson when the double team arrives.

Noel does something similar. Following a pick and roll with Schroder, Noel receives the ball and delivers a beautiful pass to a cutting Hamidou Diallo.

Oklahoma City is an exceptional team when the ball is moving and seem to fare better when the ball is out of the hands of its primary play-makers for stretches. Westbrook, PG, Schroder and Raymond Felton (shouldn’t handle the ball at all) are ball stoppers, often playing for their own shots in isolation.

The Thunder are best to grind away inside and live inside the paint in the half-court. Execution is key for a team devoid of shooting, therefore OKC must deploy more movement off the ball and allow their bigs to go to work.