Thursday Bolts – 2.26.14
John Schuhmann of NBA.com has blown this OKC defense thing wide open: “Contesting every shot is impossible, but Brooks’ team certainly can do a better job. According to SportVU, no team has contested a lower percentage of its opponents’ jump shots than the Thunder . They’ve contested just 24 percent of opponent jumpers, a mark well below the league average of 31 percent. There’s a much stronger correlation between defensive efficiency and opponent effective field-goal percentage (EFG%) than between defensive efficiency and any of the other “four factors” (rebounding, forcing turnovers, keeping opponents off the free-throw line). Here’s the thing, though. The Thunder rank fourth in opponent EFG% and fourth in defensive efficiency. They’ve been a great defensive team — even though they haven’t contested jump shots very well. There is a correlation between the percentage of jumpers a team contests and its opponents’ EFG% (and in turn, their defensive efficiency). The Thunder are an outlier.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider: “Whether Durant and James specifically altered their games because of metrics or not, their lessons have surely had an impact. In a league in which efficiency is valued more than ever, Durant and James stand as the ultimate tribute. The new NBA, shaped by analytics, has helped them reach heights no scorers in modern league history have reached before.”
Darnell Mayberry: “This team is still the best team in the Western Conference. It still has the best record and best talent and best chances in the West. Three straight losses hasn’t changed that. A forgettable month hasn’t changed that. Just as fast as the Thunder fell into this hole, it can and perhaps will climb out. The next three games are against Memphis, Charlotte and Philadelphia. Right now, Wednesday’s wound is still fresh. Right now, it feels like the Thunder can lose to anyone, anywhere, after blowing a 12-point, third-quarter lead and losing by 10 at home to the shorthanded Cavs. But let’s not forget that OKC also can beat anybody. This is a championship-caliber team. And no matter how bad things look, three losses in late February aren’t going to make or break the Thunder’s season. They’re just not. So stop panicking.”
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Andrew Gilman of Fox Sports Southwest: “The struggle is real. Three losses in a row, and this time even Russell Westbrook staying out past his minutes curfew couldn’t save the Thunder from mighty Cleveland. A 114-104 loss where Oklahoma City’s defense never showed itself, where Kevin Durant kicked over a water cooler and where there is growing concern, issues and legitimate questions to answer. Is it time to panic? Maybe not yet, but OKC can certainly see panic from where it’s at now.”
Berry Tramel: “I don’t think it’s strategic. I’ve seen no glaring errors in how the Thunder has tried to play. I don’t think it’s rotational. Brooks isn’t screwing up the minutes. Anytime the Thunder has a defensive lapse, the first place I look is Thabo Sefolosha’s minutes, but Brooks was desperate enough Wednesday night to play Thabo for 30:17, which ranks among his 15 busiest games of the year. I don’t think it’s communication. In pregame, Brooks stressed energy and defense. Even Durant talked about how much he looked forward to this game after having to wait more than 72 hours since the Clipper debacle.”