Oklahoma City Thunder Regular Season 2015-2016 Part 2

[getrichordie]

Last year Roberson played without Russ, KD, Ibaka, and Steven for lengthy stretches and rated as the second best defensive shooting guard in the league.

Well, I would imagine. He was playing back-ups.

Except he still rates the same this year. So he's elite either way.

Yeah, I don't question that at all.

[spearsy23]

Oh, and I'm all for playing Singler over Dion, but that's just a function of how much Dion Sucks. Singler was legitimately the worst player in the league when he was getting minutes, but at least he won't take the ball out of Cam's hands.

[getrichordie]

Oh, and I'm all for playing Singler over Dion, but that's just a function of how much Dion Sucks. Singler was legitimately the worst player in the league when he was getting minutes, but at least he won't take the ball out of Cam's hands.

But have you seen Singler get minutes recently? I think he is beginning to adquately understand his (very different from Pistons' role) offensive and defensive roles on our team. He's made some big plays and knocked down some nice threes and even has had some assists! I think long-term Singler is the answer to a lot of our issues.

[spearsy23]

Oh, and I'm all for playing Singler over Dion, but that's just a function of how much Dion Sucks. Singler was legitimately the worst player in the league when he was getting minutes, but at least he won't take the ball out of Cam's hands.

But have you seen Singler get minutes recently? I think he is beginning to adquately understand his (very different from Pistons' role) offensive and defensive roles on our team. He's made some big plays and knocked down some nice threes and even has had some assists! I think long-term Singler is the answer to a lot of our issues.

His recent minutes have been better than his previous ones, but I could have done better than that so it's not saying much. He is still a walking foul who can't defend, pass, or dribble. He is averaging 40% on threes over his last ten played in games... By going 2/5.

Edit: And I'd hope he is understanding his current role. If he can't even figure out how to sit on a bench I'm not sure how he remembers to breathe.

[getrichordie]

Oh, and I'm all for playing Singler over Dion, but that's just a function of how much Dion Sucks. Singler was legitimately the worst player in the league when he was getting minutes, but at least he won't take the ball out of Cam's hands.

But have you seen Singler get minutes recently? I think he is beginning to adquately understand his (very different from Pistons' role) offensive and defensive roles on our team. He's made some big plays and knocked down some nice threes and even has had some assists! I think long-term Singler is the answer to a lot of our issues.

His recent minutes have been better than his previous ones, but I could have done better than that so it's not saying much. He is still a walking foul who can't defend, pass, or dribble. He is averaging 40% on threes over his last ten played in games... By going 2/5.

Maybe the function of his role is spacing? He can hit 3s. I mean I've seen Westbrook pass up an open Singler for a contested jump shot so that doesn't surprise me. I think Singler would definitely improve if given some of Dion's minutes.

By the way, if I'm not mistaken. DRPM tells a different story on Kyle Singler's defense.

[spearsy23]

But have you seen Singler get minutes recently? I think he is beginning to adquately understand his (very different from Pistons' role) offensive and defensive roles on our team. He's made some big plays and knocked down some nice threes and even has had some assists! I think long-term Singler is the answer to a lot of our issues.

His recent minutes have been better than his previous ones, but I could have done better than that so it's not saying much. He is still a walking foul who can't defend, pass, or dribble. He is averaging 40% on threes over his last ten played in games... By going 2/5.

Maybe the function of his role is spacing? He can hit 3s. I mean I've seen Westbrook pass up an open Singler for a contested jump shot so that doesn't surprise me. I think Singler would definitely improve if given some of Dion's minutes.

A floor spacer who shoots 20% from thre? It's a bold strategy cotton. he got dumped from the rotation because he sucked more than the head cheerleader after winning a state championship. Westbrook was so frustrated by his play that during one game he yelled "get me a ****ing shooter" to Donovan while Singler was in the lineup.

[spearsy23]

By the way, if I'm not mistaken. DRPM tells a different story on Kyle Singler's defense.

There's context and the problem of using a single stat to tell a story here. What RPM says currently is that 'as a bench warmer in limited minutes Kyle Singler prevents 0.81 points per 100 possessions over a replacement player.' What RPM said last year is that 'as a rotation player Kyle Singler gives up 1.2 more points per 100 possessions than a replacement player.' That's much more important when we're discussing giving him minutes as a rotation player.

[getrichordie]

By the way, if I'm not mistaken. DRPM tells a different story on Kyle Singler's defense.

There's context and the problem of using a single stat to tell a story here. What RPM says currently is that 'as a bench warmer in limited minutes Kyle Singler prevents 0.81 points per 100 possessions over a replacement player.' What RPM said last year is that 'as a rotation player Kyle Singler gives up 1.2 more points per 100 possessions than a replacement player.' That's much more important when we're discussing giving him minutes as a rotation player.

Not neccessarily. If we are giving Dion's minutes to Robes and Morrow, and SIngler is playing 10-15 minutes a night, then these numbers are more important.

And here's the thing that numbers can't tell: Singler is a blue collar guy that we know, once he figures it out, will bring it consistently. He's like Collison at SF.

As the OKC defense struggled again to get stops head coach Billy Donovan, who hadn't used Singler for any meaningful minutes since December 21st against the Clippers, decided his length might be able to help slow down the Suns attack.

Turned out Singler proved valuable on the offensive end too with his best quarter of the season. Playing all 12 minutes in the fourth quarter Singler scored seven points on 3-for-5 shooting, including a huge corner three in the last minute. He also grabbed four rebounds, two off the offensive glass that kept possessions alive and he even handed out an assist.

"I really admire Kyle for being as professional as he is," Donovan said. Though Singler has been out of the rotation for a while because of his struggles on offense he's always one of the first Thunder players in the gym to work on his game and one of the last to leave.

"I just thought he could help us because of his length defensively against their small lineups," Donovan added.

This is the type of stuff Singler can do night in and night out. I think you guys have seen the worst of Singler and have held on to that, but he's made the most of his second chances by sticking on his man, making those hustle plays, and sometimes even game-changing plays when called upon.

Basically, Singler's ceiling > Dion's ceiling and it isn't close, in my opinion. Mark my words when I say you are going to see a lot more Singler and love Singler like you never have before if you continue to follow the Thunder this season.

#FREESINGLER

[KD35Brah]

Your view of Singler has changed because you haven't seen him in a while. But he is still trash, if his shot isn't falling he is awful.

Dumb fouls, horrible shooting, and attacking closeouts which always ends horribly.

[getrichordie]

Your view of Singler has changed because you haven't seen him in a while. But he is still trash, if his shot isn't falling he is awful.

Dumb fouls, horrible shooting, and attacking closeouts which always ends horribly.

My view hasn't changed. I've said it from the beginning. He's having to adjust. OKC is asking him to play differently and within a different role than he played in Detroit and than he played in last year with us. The closest scenario I can think of is how Dragic is having to adjust to his role in Miami. His numbers have dipped and he's having to figure out a whole new way to play.

[KD35Brah]

Also how exactly is Kanter to blame in this game? Their bigs didn't go off and most of the points the opp benched came in transition.

All these plays in this vid with Kanter on the court had nothing to do with him, yet his DRTG takes a hit for it. Shabazz's big game did not happen by Kanter being on the court either.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaZvH-O7jLA[/youtube]

0:22 Russ leaves Lavine wide open for a midrange 2, no contest
0:35 Serge turns his back to the ball in transition
0:51 Payne allows Lavine to get close to the rim
1:12 Forces Dieng to kick out the ball(with Russ' help) but Russ leaves Lavine wide open for a 3
1:20 Russ allows Lavine to blow by him in transition which forces Serge to foul him for FTs
1:30 Russ commits a TO that turns into an immediate fastbreak forcing KD to foul Lavine for FTs


These defensive lapses are a team wide problem, not sure what you expected Kanter to do on all these possesions while on the floor.

The Perimeter players he plays with have been hopeless, he is playing with Morrow, Dion, Payne, and Collison all at the same time.

[KD35Brah]

I'm sure Kanter was on the floor when Durant fouled Wiggins on a 3pt attempt and then allowed him to get close enough for an easy layup as well. Was that all on Kanter as well?

[getrichordie]

Also how exactly is Kanter to blame in this game? Their bigs didn't go off and most of the points the opp benched came in transition.

All these plays in this vid with Kanter on the court had nothing to do with him, yet his DRTG takes a hit for it. Shabazz's big game did not happen by Kanter being on the court either.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaZvH-O7jLA[/youtube]

0:22 Russ leaves Lavine wide open for a midrange 2, no contest
0:35 Serge turns his back to the ball in transition
0:51 Payne allows Lavine to get close to the rim
1:12 Forces Dieng to kick out the ball(with Russ' help) but Russ leaves Lavine wide open for a 3
1:20 Russ allows Lavine to blow by him in transition which forces Serge to foul him for FTs
1:30 Russ commits a TO that turns into an immediate fastbreak forcing KD to foul Lavine for FTs


These defensive lapses are a team wide problem, not sure what you expected Kanter to do on all these possesions while on the floor.

The Perimeter players he plays with have been hopeless, he is playing with Morrow, Dion, Payne, and Collison all at the same time.

Exactly my point. Thank you.

Easy to blame Kanter but the tape don't lie. True, our wings have to sit back so they don't let an inside pass in to Kanter's guy, but that wasn't the case in this game at all. Kanter has just become a scapegoat for what is overall poor team defense.






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[spearsy23]

I'm sure Kanter was on the floor when Durant fouled Wiggins on a 3pt attempt and then allowed him to get close enough for an easy layup as well. Was that all on Kanter as well?

The Kanter talk is about the entire season, this game was just typical for what you get with him.

As for your video
22 seconds- Kanter's man screens and Enes is caught in no man's land, sagging too deep to contest the shot.
36 seconds- Doesn't even bother jogging back, on plays like this Adams often gets back into the play. It may not make a difference, but you sprint because you may be able to help,
55 seconds- Kanter is in position to provide help defense but sticks to Dieng 20 feet from the basket instead. This play specifically is where a good defender helps his guards.
1:22- doesn't even bother running back. Again, might not matter, but these are the hustle plays that guys make to help each other out.

[getrichordie]

I'll just leave this here (turn your speakers up!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jf_kbpAkVk


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[spearsy23]

I'm sure Kanter was on the floor when Durant fouled Wiggins on a 3pt attempt and then allowed him to get close enough for an easy layup as well. Was that all on Kanter as well?

I'm not sure what you think this is proving? That other guys have defensive lapses? Yeah, no crap. But amazingly the defense is generally good when Kanter isn't on the court and is generally terrible whenever he is. That's not a coincidence, he doesn't understand how to help and it kills the team. A center is the most impactful defensive player, it's no longer possible to guard good players one on one on the perimeter and that's why Kanter specifically is so harmful. Anthony Morrow being a bad defender can be out-schemed by overloading and providing help, you can't hide a Center like that.

[bondom34]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

[spearsy23]

I'll just leave this here (turn your speakers up!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jf_kbpAkVk


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Counter argument
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/singlky01.html

[spearsy23]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

Meshes with the eye test though, that's real improvement from last year if I'm not mistaken.

[KD35Brah]

I'm sure Kanter was on the floor when Durant fouled Wiggins on a 3pt attempt and then allowed him to get close enough for an easy layup as well. Was that all on Kanter as well?

The Kanter talk is about the entire season, this game was just typical for what you get with him.

As for your video
22 seconds- Kanter's man screens and Enes is caught in no man's land, sagging too deep to contest the shot.
36 seconds- Doesn't even bother jogging back, on plays like this Adams often gets back into the play. It may not make a difference, but you sprint because you may be able to help,
55 seconds- Kanter is in position to provide help defense but sticks to Dieng 20 feet from the basket instead. This play specifically is where a good defender helps his guards.
1:22- doesn't even bother running back. Again, might not matter, but these are the hustle plays that guys make to help each other out.

22 sec - Are we really going to blame Kanter for Russ getting past a weak screen and not ever bothering to put a hand up and watching Lavine shoot a wide open shot? If Kanter jumps forward to contest that shot, that leaves a rebound opportunity for KAT against Russ or a wide open layup/dunk for KAT off a Lavine dime. That wasn't his fault at all, Towns was already trying to roll.

36 sec - Dude Kanter isn't running a 4.2 to the other side of the court to protect the rim, Serge turns his head around on a live fast break and has no idea what's going on, that completely his fault. Allowed an easy pass to Lavine running straight at the rim.

55 sec - Dieng is shooting 53% from 10to16 and 43% from 16to3pt, leaving him open for a midrange shot isn't really that smart. Morrow could have easily close off that lane better.

1:22 - Kanter's man(who is setting up to shoots 3s at the top of the key) isn't even there yet on an early fastbreak. Dion has his head completely turned away from Lavine and Durant doesn't even help Serge.