Who’s truly Oklahoma City’s top defender? Thunder fans have asked me that question over and over throughout OKC’s impressive 7-0 start.
OKC was projected to be strong defensively, but no one quite anticipated they’d have six players with realistic All-Defensive potential.
The quick answer might be OKC’s two-time All-Defensive wing, Alex Caruso, or Lu Dort, twice deserving of but overlooked for All-Defensive honors. Those are the straightforward choices for casual fans, yet the Thunder’s defensive roster runs deep. It starts with these two, but four other players could arguably be performing at their level––or even better––this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, has carried over his intensity on that end of the floor into October and November. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams, now up to 220 pounds, has expanded his defensive versatility. His strength lets him handle smaller guards on the perimeter, use his wingspan to guard lanky wings and stretch-fours, and hold his own against bigs in the post.
Then there’s Cason Wallace, the overlooked second-year guard whom Jalen Williams calls OKC’s most relentless defender. Wallace plays with the intelligence of Caruso and has Dort’s grit––but is also an exceptional athlete. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had many opportunities to fully showcase his skills, though that could change as the season progresses.
When it comes to rim protection, Chet Holmgren stands out, averaging 2.9 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Holmgren’s defensive impact has been evident since high school. Isaiah Hartenstein, another 7-footer, might give Holmgren a run for “OKC’s Best Rim Protector” once he recovers from a preseason hand injury.
The first noticeable defensive drop-off happens with Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, though both remain solid options. Coach Mark Daigneault still trusts them to step in and make critical stops.
So, who’s OKC’s best defender? I’ll leave that to you to decide as the season progresses. But, excluding OKC’s tight 124-122 loss to Denver on Wednesday night, they’re holding teams to just 95.8 points per game––well under the league average.
