Are the Oklahoma City Thunder even more dangerous this season than last? If so, why? NBA expert Tim Legler is convinced that the Thunder are a more significant threat due to their improved defensive and offensive strategies hinging on one of their off-season signings. Which signing? Legler breaks it down and explains why the Thunder will be a big problem for other teams.
NBA Expert Praises Thunder Offense and Defense
Thunder A Bigger Problem Than Anticipated?
The Thunder proved last season that their offense is already excellent. The presence and emergence of Chet Holmgren only added to the threats the Thunder roster imposes. Of course, OKC’s most notable threat is the exceptional Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, ESPN’s Legler is noticing this about the Thunder: their offensive game plan could be even more threatening this season. While breaking down film on ESPN’s NBA Today from this week’s Denver versus OKC preseason match, Legler went into great detail about how Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein massively affect the game together.
As Legler broke down how Holmgren acted as a decoy, using his threat as a center who likes to and can shoot three-pointers, it drew Denver’s Aaron Gordon out to respect that threat. This floor action provided SGA space and one less defender to move toward the basket. Holmgren is already a threat underneath the basket. But his long-distance shooting threat can heap benefits on the Thunder’s offense as a whole. Gordon has to respect Holmgren’s three-point shooting, so he leaves SGA. In a way, compare the strategy to that of a wide receiver in the NFL. A number one receiver will draw a double team, leaving the number two and three receivers either one-on-one, or open in many cases. As the corner or safety respects the threat of the number one option, it opens up the others.
Legler points out that Holmgren draws defenders to him, opening the floor for the ball handler and scorer. In the same way, Shai draws two defenders to him while Hartenstein is left open for a pass and score. Hartenstein’s addition opens up OKC’s game plan in a big and exciting way. And that is why his addition as a free agent was one of the summer’s biggest NBA deals.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s Affect on Chet Holmgren
As Legler points out during a Thunder defensive excerpt, with Hartenstein now in the fold, he ushers in his own impact, helping Holmgren.
“…and this right here is where Isaiah Hartenstein’s gonna help Chet Holmgren most. He’s guarding the biggest, strongest guy on the floor. He’s absorbing the contact on the offensive rebound. You saw Chet get thrown around a lot when he was the only big on the floor leading to offensive rebound opportunities. Isaiah Hartenstein’s eating up all that contact. What does that mean? Look at Chet Holmgren, he’s got nobody around him, he’s got free space to just get up here and chase this basketball. Completely, unencumbered, defensive rebound.”
Hartenstein brought rebounding to the forefront while he was with the Knicks last year, especially in the postseason. However, now paired with Holmgren, his presence in the paint should actually make Chet’s impact greater, as Legler pointed out in his breakdown. It is a beneficial option for Holmgren, considering his body size and composition compared to Hartenstein’s. The latter’s ability to take on the more physical play bodes well for Holmgren, as he can avoid a lot of the physical back-and-forth with the league’s larger and more bruising centers.
Of course, Hartenstein isn’t the better player over Chet. However, his defensive and offensive impact are bound to unlock Holmgren’s game to another level. Holmgren’s threatening presence in the offensive zone steals away defenders. So, Hartenstein has the paint all to himself, where he can get his buckets and rebounds. OKC’s Holmgren-Hartenstein combo has serious potential to be a huge threat for OKC. Imagine the floor space SGA and others will have to work with going forward.
