{"id":99046,"date":"2024-10-02T14:18:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T18:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=99046"},"modified":"2024-10-02T14:18:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T18:18:26","slug":"this-thunder-defense-has-the-potential-to-be-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/02\/this-thunder-defense-has-the-potential-to-be-special\/","title":{"rendered":"The Thunder’s Defense Has Potential to be Special This Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, the Thunder had a top-five defense<\/a>. They ranked<\/a> fourth in defensive rating and were tied for the leaders in steals and blocks per game. OKC’s defense was a big reason they won 57 games last year and earned the number-one seed. Their defense improved this offseason with the additions of Alex Caruso<\/a> and Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a>. In addition, they got rid<\/a> of Josh Giddey<\/a>, who was their weakest defender last year. With training camp<\/a> beginning for the Thunder this week, let’s look at the upside of OKC’s defense this upcoming season.<\/p>\n

This Thunder Defense Has The Potential to be Special<\/h2>\n

The Three-Point-of-Attack Defenders for the Thunder<\/h3>\n

The Thunder already had one of the best point-of-attack defenders in Lu Dort<\/a>. They also had Cason Wallace<\/a>, a rookie, coming off the bench who showed great potential<\/a> to be another great defender. Now the Thunder have added Alex Caruso to the mix, coming off back-to-back years of being named to the all-defensive teams. The Thunder can rotate three defenders on the opposing team’s best player. Most teams in the NBA are lucky to have just one, maybe two of them, let alone three.<\/p>\n

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The top 10 in Perimeter Isolation Defense<\/p>\n

1. Luguentz Dort
\n2. Alex Caruso
\n3. Jaden McDaniels
\n4. Vince Williams Jr.
\n5. Jeremy Sochan
\n6. OG Anunoby
\n7. Ausar Thompson
\n8. Derrick Jones Jr.
\n9. Isaac Okoro
\n10. Dillon Brooks<\/p>\n

-1000 minute min<\/p>\n

\u2014 BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) October 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n