Redick says Lakers must prepare for Thunder’s elite, low-foul defense
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Assistant coach JJ Redick underscored the challenge awaiting the Los Angeles Lakers in their upcoming second-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, emphasizing the league-leading discipline of the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed.
“They don’t foul, so the whistles aren’t gonna be there,” Redick told reporters after practice, according to Lakers Nation. “You accept that going in. They don’t foul.”
Oklahoma City finished the regular season with one of the NBA’s top defensive ratings while averaging just 19 personal fouls per game, among the fewest of all 30 teams. Led by perimeter defenders Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso, the Thunder pressure the ball, force turnovers and contest shots without sending opponents to the free-throw line.
“You’re talking about a team that is top five in every disruptive category,” Redick continued. “Steals, blocks, turnovers forced — all that stuff. And they somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things in NBA history.”
Redick placed Oklahoma City in rare company, mentioning the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls and the 2015-17 Golden State Warriors as the only other clubs he recalls combining that level of defensive havoc with minimal fouling.
“The Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” he added.
Los Angeles opens the best-of-seven series on the road later this week, fully aware of the defensive task head coach Darvin Ham and his staff have spent days preparing to solve.
Source: Hoops Wire
