Three Areas OKC Thunder Must Improve

The OKC Thunder have started the season strong at 4-3 with wins over the Bulls, Cavaliers, Pistons, and Hawks. Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort, in particular, are beyond impressive at the moment; however, OKC possesses a few areas that need considerable improvement.

OKC Thunder Rebounding Woes 

Although Holmgren is an exceptional player, but he can not collect the boards alone. The Gonzaga product is averaging eight rebounds a game.

As a result, the Thunder have surrendered the second-largest opponent offensive rebound percentage and the most considerable put-back frequency across the NBA.

In addition, OKC ranks 20th in box outs per game. Because they cannot protect the glass, opponents are racking up extra possessions that typically lead to layups or kick-outs for an open catch-and-shoot three. Therefore, the additional control also holds a significant expected point per possession.

Claiming that a single area is solely responsible for a loss is often misguided and incorrect, but OKC’s defensive rebounding woes may be an exception.

For example, they lost to the Pelicans by four points essentially because New Orleans grabbed an astonishing 22 offensive rebounds and procured 14 more field goal attempts than OKC. In their two-point loss to Golden State (an average rebounding team), the Warriors snagged 13 offensive rebounds, which led to nine more field goal attempts.

The Thunder must be hyper-efficient; otherwise, they drown under the wave of lost possessions. Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams’ return aid OKC in this department.

Still, everyone must increase their effort and fully commit to boxing out a man or embracing the contested rebound contact. Unfortunately for OKC, this issue will likely plague them until Sam Presti acquires a bruiser via the draft, free agency, or trade market.

OKC Thunder Turnovers

Speaking of lost possessions, the Thunder have struggled out of the gate to protect the basketball. They rank 17th in turnover percentage and 19th in assist-to-turnover ratio.

OKC is already losing the possession battle to offensive rebounds, so throwing the ball away is equivalent to pouring gasoline on the fire.

Now, OKC owns a plethora of capable playmakers and finished with the fourth-lowest turnover percentage last season. Their struggles this year are primarily due to early season rust, integrating critical players into the rotation, and losing Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams to injury.

The Thunder should correct their turnovers soon and return to efficient passing, thus decreasing the possession deficit that has haunted them. Unlike the rebounding situation, look for OKC to clean up this flaw quickly.

Offensive Movement 

When combining cut, hand-off, and off-screen possessions per game and adjusting for pace, the OKC Thunder rank 28th across the NBA. Their offense revolves around isolation and pick-and-roll handlers surrounded by catch-and-shoot threats.

It’s been a productive system for them, as OKC is 11th in Offensive Rating and 4th in actual shooting percentage; opponents have subsequently been able to pack the paint and reach inside to help more effectively.

When a defender knows his primary assignment is stationary, he can ball-watch, shade, and recover because he instinctively knows where to contest after the kick-out.

On the other hand, a defender in an off-ball chaser role or marking a cutter cannot focus on the ball handler because he will surrender an open shot to the man in motion.

OKC doesn’t need to morph into the Golden State Warriors and run a motion system. However, diversifying the offense would help open lanes for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey’s drives and sow defensive confusion.