How OKC Thunder should tweak their identity to better fit modern NBA era
Championship teams of 2010’s – defensive and 3-point efficiency rating:
Diving into the perimeter shooting efficiency and defensive prowess of championship teams during the decade rarely found the teams ranking outside the top 10 in either category.
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So, while the era’s offensive shift occurred the fact defense remained important made the Thunder chosen identity of defense-first an intelligent choice.
- 2009-10, Lakers: defensive rating – 4th | 3-point efficiency rating – 34.1 percent, 24th
- 2010-11 Mavericks: defensive rating – 8th | 3-point efficiency rating – 36.5 percent, 11th
- 2011-12, Heat: defensive rating – 4th | 3-point efficiency rating – 35.9 percent, 10th
- 2012-13, Heat: defensive rating – 9th | 3-point efficiency rating – 39.6 percent, 2nd
- 2013-14, Spurs: defensive rating – 3rd | 3-point efficiency rating – 39.7 percent, 1st
- 2014-15, Warriors: defensive rating – 1st | 3-point efficiency rating – 39.8 percent, 1st
- 2015-16, Cavaliers: defensive rating – 10th | 3-point efficiency rating – 36.2 percent, 7th
- 2016-17, Warriors: – defensive rating – 2nd | 3-point efficiency rating – 38.3 percent, 3rd
- 2017-18, Warriors: – defensive rating – 11th | 3-point efficiency rating – 39.1 percent, 1st
- 2018-19, Raptors: defensive rating – 5th | 3-point efficiency rating – 36.6 percent, 6th
Diving in deeper the majority of championship teams of the decade ranked in the top third of the league in both defense and 3-point shooting efficiency. In fact, a quick glance at the title winners showcased only one title team (the 2017-18 Warriors) ranking outside the top ten defensive clubs and all but two ranked top ten in 3-point shooting (2009-10 Lakers/2010-11 Mavericks).