Pace and Defense

[slick_watts]

Here are some things to think about:

Since the Phoenix game, the Thunder are under 90 in pace, and since Perkins started playing, all but one game (Washington blowout) have been under 90. The game last night against Utah had a pace of only 84 and was the slowest game that the Thunder have played all season.

Somewhat related to this, the team defense has given up 102.8 points per 100 possessions since Nazr Mohammed started playing, almost five points better than the season average.

One of the hallmarks of a good defensive team is forcing the opponent into long shot clock situations. I don't have any data that directly supports this, but I feel that the defense has been much more successful since the trades at getting teams late in shot clocks. This is one of the reasons our pace has been so slow lately.

The other reason, is that I think our own offense is having the same problems that our defense is giving to other teams. I know everyone wants the offense to operate with more prudence, but it seems like the last week or so we're getting into a lot of short shot clock situations, especially with the starting five out there, and end up with tough shots as a result. This doesn't really bear out in the numbers (the offense is 2 points better per 100 possessions since the trade), but I think the offense has benefited mostly from improved three point shooting, not deliberate offensive execution.

Anyway, I think the pace is something to keep an eye on. We've been faster most of the year than last year, and since the trades that's gone down. I might go through play by play data to get shot clock usage stats to see exactly why this is (good defense or poor offense) but I think it's an interesting effect that the trades have had on the team.

[dream_catcher_9]

I think the reason the pace has slowed down is because our defense has tightened up. Before we had no interior presence besides Ibaka, now we have guys who play big so the opponents kick it back out, or dribble back out when nothing opens up.

We also aren't getting as many transition buckets. I dunno if that's by design or teams are trying to take that away from us. Either way I like this slow pace, because that's what we will see in the playoffs.

[slick_watts]

I think the reason the pace has slowed down is because our defense has tightened up. Before we had no interior presence besides Ibaka, now we have guys who play big so the opponents kick it back out, or dribble back out when nothing opens up.

This is possible. There is a slight difference in opponents shots at the rim. In the last 12 games, teams are attempting an average of 25.6 shots at the rim (27.8 before) and are shooting 63.2% (64% before). Roughly 2 points less per game at the rim.

I believe the difference has been on the perimeter, where opponent 3pt shooting has been going down. Maybe it's because we're forcing opponents out there, or over helping less due to better size.

[fallacy]

I'd rather play a slower pace, defensive minded game. Even our offense has improved (for whatever reasons) so there really can't be any complaint about it.

I'd much rather have a feared team because of our defense, what we have now, over having a team feared for our offense and fastbreaks, which we used to have

[Devilanche]

I'm not too worried in terms of the slower pace.

We haven't overhelp so much on defence anymore, so i guess our opponent are taking longer on offence. Side track: I wonder how we'll perform if denver move the ball as well as this.

http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/03/24/denver-beats-a-double-team-with-ball-movement/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NBAPlaybook+%28NBA+Playbook%29

[Krodis]

I won't be worried about our offense until our offense actually starts playing worse. It can be ugly at times (for long stretches, even), and part of that is because Westbrook is not always the most graceful player in the world, and part of it is because we rely so much on free throws. But I'm not concerned about its effectiveness, and I won't be until it stops working.

The defensive improvement is good to see, though.

[wiff]

Before these trade went down I had actually felt like this team had regressed even though they were on pace to win more games this season.

Last year this team played tough 'D" or at least attempted to. Before the trades the team was looking more and more like the old Phoenix Suns.

These trades have given me real hope that they can seriously contend for a title. Possibly even this season.

"D" wing rings and now this team is playing it again.