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OKC Thunder Lightning Report: Checking in on Terrance Ferguson

By Noah Schulte

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 3: Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is seen before the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 3, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 3: Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is seen before the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 3, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrance Ferguson. OKC Thunder (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

Growth Defensively:

This column would be a lot more negative had Ferguson not begun to put the pieces together on defense this year. He’s no Andre Roberson, but he’s done an admirable job stepping up this year in the veteran guard’s absence. The biggest difference between this season and last has to be his effort.

He always had the tools to make a difference on that end but never played hard enough to actually do it. This year is the first where he has.

Most of that effort is showing itself in his help defense where he’s had some incredibly impressive moments this year.

For example, in the play below where he funnels his man down into the paint, anticipates the pass to Justin Holiday in the corner, gets around a screen by Wendell Carter, and makes a fantastic close-out:

He’s had more than a few moments like that this year where he shows spectacular instincts and the tools to make good on them.

His impact has been just as good on the ball where he’s finally using his freakish athleticism to lock guys down, as he does in the following clip where he hounds Jamal Murray and draws a charge:

Coming into this season, there was a lot of debate around whether or not the Thunder could even make the playoffs in the West with their best defender (Roberson) out for a while and a subpar offense. Thankfully for them, Ferguson has stepped up on defense and kept the machine humming.

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