NBA Playoffs: 3 keys for Thunder to win series vs. Spurs
By Tom West
Utilize Steven Adams and his pick-and-roll
Steven Adams has been one of the top unexpected stars of the 2016 NBA playoffs so far. He’s a force in the paint with his physicality and startling speed as a 7-footer, and he has the ability not only to battle under the basket but also to switch onto players further afield and contest on jumpers.
In this series so far, he’s been the Thunders’ top big man, averaging a tremendous 10.2 points (on 66.7 percent shooting), 12 rebounds and one block per game.
Watch the footage of his 16-point performance from Game 4 below, and you’ll see how his agility and athletic finishing in the pick-and-roll has proven to be too much for the Spurs’ defense to handle, leaving the 40-year-old Tim Duncan left in his Aussie dust.
This physicality and quickness allows Adams to blow past Spurs defenders on those emphatic rolls to the basket. The threat of those finishes, coupled with the fear of a Westbrook drive or pull-up, has caused so much stress for San Antonio.
Adams has really impressed with his hands in the lane, too, whether he’s catching the ball from Westbrook on rolls through the paint, receiving passes dumped under the basket in traffic, or corralling loose balls from offensive rebounds.
When he can be counted upon for easy scores, it immediately takes pressure off the Thunder’s typical complimentary scorers. And with his pick-and-roll with Westbrook proving so hard to stop, not to mention his rebounding and overall defensive presence, it’s clear Adams is going to disrupt the Spurs as long as this series continues.
Next: Trust Enes Kanter