The Stages of Shai
Game Notes Thunder v. Knicks
January 8, 2021
Shai’s game is dependent on his ability to cleanly knife into the lane for buckets and kickout passes. He doesn’t have explosive leaping ability, so he relies on crafty finishes to score around defenders instead of over them. In this game, Mitchell Robinson and his 7’4’’ wingspan repeatedly denied Shai at the rim. Even with his favorite scoring zone walled off, Shai put up stellar numbers with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Let’s look at how Shai found ways to be effective over the course of a game against one of the league’s best young rim protectors.
Denial
Shai first tries to beat Robinson in a race to the rim. In his haste, Shai avoids making contact to ward off the shot blocker, and Robinson stretches to alter the shot.
Robinson is able to commit to Shai because the Knicks rotate effectively, and the low man in the corner is there to help on his man.
Bargaining
On the next possession, he attacks out of the pick and roll again. But this time there’s no defender in the corner, and Shai uses a hesitation to throw off the defense’s timing before driving and dishing.
Depression
The Thunder run the same play as the previous clip, but on the other side of the floor. Instead of slipping a pass to Al Horford, Shai employs his tools of craft to try to create an open look inside. His pump fake gets one defender in the air, but Robinson stays on his feet. Shai throws his body into Robinson to draw the foul, but Robinson is disciplined and doesn’t bring his arms down.
Acceptance
Once again, Shai tries to out-quick Robinson to the rim. Al Horford is plodding over to set a screen, but Shai takes off before it arrives. By the time Robinson comes over to erase the shot, the pass is already going out for the open 3.
More Acceptance (take the shots they give you)
With points hard to come by in the paint, Shai pulls up for 3 in the pocket of space created off the pick and roll.
These shots force the dropped big man to come up higher on the floor, which makes them easier targets for blow bys.
Shai shot 3-for-3 from 3 this game.
A return to denial
Shai’s change of pace gets him by his defender. Once again, he launches into Robinson to avoid the shot block and draw a foul, but he can’t get the finish or the call.
This is disciplined defense by Robinson to absorb contact and force Shai to finish over his length.
Smarter Bargaining
With Robinson all the way out guarding a stretch big man at the wing, Shai attacks quickly with an aggressive change of pace and direction. He wants more than a layup and extends his arms — James Harden-style — to collect the and 1.
Lasting Acceptance
The Thunder run a guard-to-guard pick and roll with Mitchell defending the weak side corner. The defender guarding the screen is out of position, so he jumps out to contain Shai, who crosses over to break down the defense. Mitchell's rotation is on time, but so is Shai’s pass.