OKC Thunder: 5 keys to victory over the San Antonio Spurs

OKC Thunder chalkboard note 3: Perimeter prowess

Following up on the above point while the Spurs bread and butter are their mid-range shots, opponents can’t sleep on their perimeter prowess.

Despite the Spurs holding the fourth-best 3-point efficiency (39.2 percent) they rank 26th in attempts.  That’s based on Pop’s team taking quality shots.

In an era where it’s commonplace to average between 40 and 50 perimeter shots per game the Spurs fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. Rather, the Spurs crew shoots 30.9 deep balls per match.

They began the year by stating they would take more 3-balls and even DeRozan participated. Case in point, last season in 68 games Deebo shot a cumulative 35 treys. That includes the talented wing jacking up long-range shots to beat the clock. Yet, through nine games this season he’s already taken 23 including four games where he attempted four or more. His efficiency rate is solid at 39.1 percent.

And therein lies the secret. Just because the silver and black jerseyed crew are adapting to the new trends they’ll never stop the one fundamental trait that took them to 22 consecutive playoffs. It’s team ball and a commitment to their system before anything.