OKC Thunder: 5 things to like and dislike surrounding big man Nerlens Noel

Offensive Rebounds

Considering how bad they have shot the ball this season (44.1 percent, 23rd overall),  Oklahoma City is fortunate to have two of the leagues elite offensive rebounders. While Adams is averaging a whopping 4.9 offensive rebounds (2nd), he’s playing more than 34 minutes a night. Noel, on the other hand, is 33rd in the league (2.2) but doing it in 40 percent of the playing time. Per 36 minutes, Adams and Noel are on par with one another (5.6 per 36).

Noel and Adams have completely different rebounding techniques. Adams is much larger and utilizes brute force and positioning to move players on the offensive glass. Noel is a better athlete, using his exceptional jumping ability and anticipation to corral the ball.

In his lone start against Phoenix, Noel aggressively pursued the ball and out hustled rookie Deandre Ayton. Despite a mid-air collision, Noel came down with the rock and put it back with a left-hand hammer.

How about a tap back on the missed Dennis Schroder floater?

Now let’s be clear this has nothing to with OKC, this is all effort, hustle and team ball by Noel. Oklahoma City misses a tonne of shots every game and it’s up to the big man retrieve the rock.