Donner transform the belief in Playoff advantages

Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace did important contributors from the bank for the thunder.

Minneapolis – The Thunder spent the last seven months to set standards, break records, win 68 games, to brood through the first round of the playoffs and to get to coupling in the second coupling.

They also smashed something else: the long-cherished NBA conviction that a bank does not matter in the playoffs.

This philosophy extends back when the idea of using eight, nine or ten players was considered worthless. Games games for bankers when the lights are so bright? Not smart. Instead, there was a general consensus:

So the thunder did not come at that time and they do not change now, here in the Western Conference Finals or beyond when they win two more games.

In fact, the depth of this team according to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a relentless defense is probably number 3 in the Hack order. OKC spreads the minutes, love loving and getting love back. Therefore, coach Mark Daignult has no concerns to bring the team's backups into the fire.

For these players, the urgency and the larger stage were not intimidating. If at all, you have retained an acceptable level of intensity and production, in particular defensive.

Daignault believes in his bank; Otherwise, he would not risk rarely used players in the middle of the playoffs, where a bad route could prove to be expensive.

“There is an advantage to have depth,” said Daigneult, and the wolves find out, just like the nuggets in the previous round.

Here is a look at that, with which the thunder over five from Shai, Lu there, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren goes out. Note: it is a lot.

Alex Caruso

He tasted the Lakers success when he was helpful in LA and won the 2020 championship. Then he was shipped to the bulls, where the expectations and results were lower.

And now Caruso is back with a candidate who was missing in an exchange against Josh Giddey, an esteemed playmaker who was lacking defensive reputation, after whom the thunder was longing.

Caruso's transition was uncomfortable at first. He should probably get a healthy supply of minutes, but at 19 minutes per game he saw the ninth season in the team during the season. He never complained publicly, accepted his role and waited for his turn. And it is now.

That is why the thunder longed for Caruso – after his championship experience and obviously because of its forbidden defensive mentality. In most situations he is now the bank's first guard, and his value rose in the semi -finals when he was asked to review Nikola Jokić.

Caruso gave up 100 pounds and six inches to the three -time Kia MVP of the Nuggets, but got up, attacked Jokić's dribble and survived to tell.

As a bonus, Caruso shoots 44% in the playoffs from the playoffs and ensures at both ends.

Aaron Wiggins

It came massively with two very important playoff victories – in games 2 and 4 against the nuggets. Why were these competitions so important? These victories even helped the thunder twice in this second round and gathered from 1: 0 and 2: 1.

And Wiggins performed and played like a starter. In game 2 he had 10 points in 15 minutes, then in 16 minutes in game 4 11 points. He helped in game 4 when Williams did not find his shot or a groove.

Wiggins are productive at both ends and could be a starter in most NBA teams. But in this system it receives 15 to 20 minutes and is asked to make the best of it. What he has.

Cason Wallace

Similar to Wiggins, the production of Wallace is useful when the thunder changes to a small ball. He is a solid ball handler and can make teams pay if he stays open.

He was instrumental in OKC when aggressively struggling there. Wallace had 11 points from the bank in a win 5 against Denver and in game 7 five templates. He shot 38% against Denver, and suddenly there were no mistakes.

Jaylin Williams

His post -season was largely reduced to a Cameo appearance, but as a secondary defender against Jokić. Williams did not withdraw from the challenge or from Jokić, using his strength to make the center of the nuggets, even though he gave up three centimeters.

Williams did not play in the first two games of the Western Conference Final, especially because the Wolves Center Rudy Gobert doesn't offer much offensive.

Isaiah Joe

Isiah Thomas, the two-time NBA champion of the Hall of Fame, loves this backup guard and says: “He is Isiah and Joe.” That means the first names of the Pistons' Championship Backcourt (together with Joe Dumars).

Well, this namesake is still working on his first championship. And in his current role he could get it next month. Joe's biggest contribution to the playoffs was game 1 against the wolves when he had seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes. That night he exceeded every Wolves Point Guard from Mike Conley about Donte Divincenzo.

Kenrich Williams

It was a surprise in game 1 of the Westfinals when Daignault signaled Williams, who only played two games for a total of 38 minutes in each of the first and second rounds.

But Williams came in without rust – 10 minutes, eight points, three rebounds. Everything was useful in a game that was initially closely competitive. Daignault said that Williams had illustrated the mentality of the reserves by accepting his role, was a good teammate and was ready if necessary.

As if the thunder does not get enough of the newly mentioned Kia MVP and the starters, they loosen your bank against the wolves, and in these cases the production fluctuated, if at all.

OKC wins the bank's battle in this series. And that is one reason why you have control over the series with 2-0, with all the urgency on the wolves for game 3 Saturday (Saturday (Saturday (Saturday8:30 ET, ABC))).

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can send him an email Herefind His archive here And Follow him on X.

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