OKC Thunder key no. 2 – Capitalize on defensive prowess
It’s no secret the Brooklyn Nets are an offensive smorgasbord or that they are deficient defensively.
Proving the point that small sample sizes shouldn’t be relied upon — after the first week of action the Nets ranked first defensively. It’s been a steady descent down the defensive ladder since then. They toiled in the middle of the ladder for several weeks but following the trade have dropped even further to 25th.
The Thunder, on the other hand, is young and a work in progress but has demonstrated capable defense and can lock down teams for segments of games.
Part of that is due to the athleticism of the youngsters and high IQ. As TI recently noted Luguentz Dort and Hamidou Diallo found themselves on a recent stat board with James Harden but at opposite ends of the spectrum. The category is average defensive speed.
Diallo produced the 13th ranking with an average defensive speed of 4.15 and Dort ranked right behind in 14th with an average speed of 4.14.
Harden lands on the list as the worst. A factor that will become more pronounced in Brooklyn since Irving isn’t a stalwart in the defensive department either.
Even if the Thunder were to experience a game of offensive perfection they’ll need their defense to be above par to produce a win.