5 Adjustments That OKC Thunder Need To Make To Be A True Contender

#3 Setting More Off-The-Ball Screens

Paul George

This is a dicey issue because a number of players and teams in the league are guilty of neglecting this crucial component of a motion offense. While Billy Donovan has handed the reigns of his offense to the able hands of Westbrook, the reigning MVP is a virtual non-factor in the offense when the ball is not in his hands.

He is neither an effective cutter nor does he do any screening work for teammates. Instead, he settles at the corners or near the half-court mark when his other teammates have possession, leaving the man defending him free to go in help defense.

The rest of the team follows suit, as the bulk of the team's screen assists have come from Steven Adams' efforts, or during the limited timeframe of their bench players' minutes.

Thunder could pick up a cue from Golden State, who are adept at providing off-the-ball screens to get their shooters free of their marking men.