Are OKC Thunder youthful starting unit ahead of schedule?

Comparative production versus season:

In each individual case, the players are witnessing improvements in at least one of the major statistical categories when playing within this starting lineup…

Roby:

Isaiah Roby”s overall stats don’t vary much whether he starts or comes off the bench with one big exception — his scoring increases when he plays with this unit. As a reserve, he averages 8.1 points, as a starter 8.6 points but with this quintet his scoring increases to 11.4 points per game. Overall his core statistics with this unit are 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and a steal.

Maledon:

In the five games with this starting unit, Theo Maledon averaged 9.6 points, five rebounds, and 5.6 assists. His seasonal averages are less in every category – 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Intentions made the observation recently without Diallo playing Maledon has struggled to find offense when he plays with the reserve unit because there isn’t consistent scoring available.

With George Hill out, Maledon has started in 16 games, yet even in those situations, his averages aren’t as robust as they are with this unit (7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists). Obviously, this group has undeniable chemistry.

Dort:

On the season Luguentz Dort is posting core statistics of 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals. Compared to his output with this lineup there isn’t much variance as he’s averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals.

The slight upticks in assists and steals may speak to how well this unit communicates on defense and the youth allowing for the unit to play with speed and switch faster.

Bazley:

On the season Darius Bazley is averaging 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. With this specific starting unit his scoring (15.8) and rebounds (8.2) both witness increases while his assists (1.2) take a minor drop.

Could it be he’s developed a better chemistry with Roby? Or is it easier for him to play his role with this unit? While the big question is how this group would do playing in a typical game and not in a back-to-back situation that is amplified for Bazley who has a tendency to not play as well when he’s tired.

Gilgeous-Alexander:

Of all the players the key is clearly the cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His seasonal stats of 23.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and  6.2 assists aren’t that much different than his numbers with this unit (26 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists).

The key with this group however is perhaps the fact SGA isn’t having to do as much. Maledon is a solid rebounder and capable ball-handler that frees him up to not have to carry so much of the load. Meanwhile, his point total increases, and the team has a better win percentage.
Putting what this starting group has done in perspective it’s important to look beyond the back-to-back sets