Sefolosha's Starting Role Isn't Without Reason!

Once this idea was put into practice, George would no longer underestimate Ibaka. He defended seriously on every possession.

His teammates also had to help defend.

Under targeted defense.

Ibaka's outburst finally subsided somewhat.

The Thunder immediately sensed it. They promptly reduced Ibaka's touches in isolation and put the ball in Durant's hands instead.

That was right.

Every one of the Thunder Five Young could play.

Whoever was hot kept playing.

Once their form dipped, or once they were targeted by the opponent's defense and their offense stopped flowing, they were replaced immediately.

Having more players was great.

"Swish!"

Durant extended Ibaka's offensive momentum with a mid-range shot.

On the defensive possession.

Curry used a silky behind-the-back crossover... to blow past Harden.

Harden's defense was still solid during his Thunder days. He was not the Rockets Harden who defended with his eyes.

For Curry to get past him, he had real skill.

But the Thunder's help defense was quick as well. Sefolosha followed immediately and picked Curry up again.

He gave him no room to drive and did not let him fire threes easily.

When the Thunder promoted themselves to the public, they were all about the Five Young?

Yet Sefolosha, an obscure player, was able to firmly hold down a spot in the team's starting lineup.

He definitely had his own strengths.

What was that strength?

Defense.

That was right.

The Thunder had plenty of extraordinarily gifted players, and they naturally put more of that talent into offense.

Or they dominated the restricted area.

What about perimeter defense?

Westbrook was ferocious when he got the ball and charged forward, but if you really asked him to defend, honestly, he was a little lacking.

Harden was the same. During his Thunder days, he was willing to defend and would defend