Thunder's Defensive Versatility on Display at Summer League

Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder were in the top half of the league in defensive rating.

OKC finished last season with the 14th-ranked defense due in large part to a great system by Mark Daigneault and his team always playing with maximum effort. Additionally, players like Jalen Williams, Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and very tough defenders due to their size and length.

After watching the Thunder's start to Summer League, it appears as though Oklahoma City has a few more talented defenders who are ready to make an impact this season.

Rookie big man Chet Holmgren has lived up to expectations in his first two Summer Leagues, making a remarkable debut last summer before impressing fans once again this year. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft has two or more blocks in each of his three Summer League games so far this year, tallying nine blocked shots through two games in Salt Lake City and one in Las Vegas.

Even when Holmgren is not swatting the ball away, he is able to alter shots or even prevent the ball handler from taking a shot due to his length, When the Gonzaga product is roaming the paint, many guards will refrain from shooting in order to avoid being blocked.

Holmgren's blocks have been emphatic, often getting two hands on the ball and setting the tone as a commanding defensive player.

Workin’ on both ends of the floor 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Wi27vkX9qH
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 4, 2023

Rookie guard Cason Wallace also looked as though he would fit right in on defense, performing well in his NBA debut against the Dallas Mavericks. While Wallace's offensive highlights got all the recognition, the 6-foot-4 guard also finished the game with two steals.

At one point, the 19-year-old jumped a passing lane and almost secured what would have been another steal, but was unable to corral the ball. Still, Wallace's defensive prowess was on full display in his first professional contest.

Second-year players Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng have also had solid performances on defense so far this summer. Dieng has tallied five steals and four blocks in OKC's first four games, using his size and length to make his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor.

Williams, who has of course been drawing charges with success in the Summer League, also had a three-block performance against the Memphis Grizzlies.

If Williams, Dieng, Wallace and Holmgren can continue to play defense at a high level during the regular season, Oklahoma City should easily have a top 10 defense in 2023-24.

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