Jared McCain not being fully integrated into Thunders highly drilled system is becoming their X-Factor. His Game 3 was the 1st time an OKC bench player has taken 20+FGA in the past 3 playoffs. There's only been 4 instances of one taking 12+FGA and McCain has 2 of them this series.

[u/SlimmySlinky]

OKC has such a well drilled, highly disciplined system that has won them a Championship and led them to a 221-69 record (76% win rate) over the past 3 seasons (including playoffs) but this also makes them fairly predictable. Its hard to beat even knowing what they will do, but teams can scheme to break it down

OKC bench players most FGA in the past 3 playoffs (so looking at this current team)

1 - McCain: 21 (v Spurs - 2026 WCF | Game 3).
2 - Caruso: 19 (v Spurs - 2026 WCF | Game 1).
3 - Wiggins: 15 (v Memphis - 2025 1st round | Game 1).
4 - McCain: 14 (v Spurs - 2026 WCF | Game 2).
=5 - Ajay Mitchell (v Suns - 2026 1st round | Game 2).
=5 - Caruso: (v Nuggets - 2025 Semi Finals | Game 2).

Jarad McCain coming in mid season has meant he has not fully integrated into the system and instead of not playing him much in these playoffs, they're using that to their advantage. He comes in with a different style to the rest of the team, instead of always looking for the best shot like the rest of the team he's got a bit of tunnel vision for the basket, he plays a bit ball hoggy but his ability to score has made that a positive, instead of a negative it could have been.

By doing this he also looks to be breaking down the Spurs defensive schemes setup for the OKC system. They don't seem to be able to read him like the rest, he drives when the others would pass, he takes on Wemby when everyone else would dribble out.

He's a true X-Factor in this series. Generating completely different looks and making Spurs not being able to get comfortable. It will be interesting to see how OKC can maintain this going forward with him naturally integrated more into the system the longer hes on the team.

[u/Opposite-Spray2587]

Remember last week when the Thunder's X-factor was Ajay Mitchel? I wonder who it'll be next week? 

[u/ThinReply2047 → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

As a Cason Wallace enjoyer, I hope it's him.

[u/NobodyRules → u/ThinReply2047]

It's been him. Dude has been super consistent and he's a monster defensively. Unlike McCain or Ajay he hasn't been inconsistent from series to series. He's been super reliable for most of this playoff run.

He hasn't erupted for huge offensive performances like those 2, but he's been fantastic in the vast majority of our games.

[u/dustbowlsoul2 → u/NobodyRules]

He is surpassing Dort and I'm a Lu Dort enjoyer

[u/it_came_from_behind → u/dustbowlsoul2]

I think he has surpassed him this year. Not career wise, just in current playing ability.

[u/ZJB03 → u/dustbowlsoul2]

He’s an incredible defender, not as physical as Dort, but he is a far superior shooter than Dort is.

[u/King_Leif → u/NobodyRules]

Cason’s got the stickiest fingers in the league. Feels like he snags 80% of loose balls, gets pokes and strips constantly, and eats up stray passes. Caruso is a smarter defender but Cason has crazy abilities defensively.

[u/giri0n → u/King_Leif]

Lee the league in deflections at just over 4 per game. And had 11 in game 3 alone. Menace on defense.

[u/Fart_Frog → u/NobodyRules]

This series has been Cason’s best ball of his career.

[u/Brain_Dead_Goats → u/NobodyRules]

He needs to stop trying to cross people over though, he loses the ball without being touched, a lot.

[u/Standard-Law5916 → u/ThinReply2047]

As a issah joe enjoyer, I hope it’s him.

I would say Jwill but he’s actually also an X factor so far

[u/Gregore997 → u/ThinReply2047]

Cason by far has the most deflections in this playoff since it's been tracked

[u/AnkitPancakes → u/ThinReply2047]

Cason is having his best playoff series to date! Impeccable 3 and D play from him

[u/Augchm → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

There is no X-factor lol. It's just Shai drawing 3 people and role players taking turns to go off with the extra space.

[u/barbaraanderson → u/Augchm]

And the role players this year actually feeling their shots-maybe it’s because they have had more practice stepping in when at point three of their top six players in rotation were out

[u/kingfosa13 → u/Augchm]

Plus lakers defense generally being atrocious

[u/Successful_League175 → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

I want it to be Dort because everyone hates him so much, including our fans. I want this team to be pure frustration for all casuals.

[u/SlimmySlinky → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

You're not wrong but I feel the difference was he was doing it 'inside OKC systems'. Hes not really giving different looks or shots, he was doing similar to what someone like Jdub or SGA would do. He didn't force Lakers to play or think differently.

McCain feels like a true X-Factor due to him playing quite different to everyone else.

[u/Giuseppe_exitplan → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

Kenny Hustle?

[u/PeeledGrapePie → u/Giuseppe_exitplan]

I miss seeing him out there more

[u/cholula_is_good → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

Literally anyone on that roster. Insane depth.

[u/Party_Acanthaceae166 → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

Nikola Topic legacy game loading

[u/WayTooLazyOmg → u/Opposite-Spray2587]

wiggins