ESPN graphic accidentally revealed devastating Spurs advantage over Thunder

ESPN released a graphic highlighting a fascinating stat detailing the Spurs' effectiveness when they double-team Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Spoiler alert, it's not working in the way they've hoped (thanks, Alex Caruso). However, the Worldwide Leader intended to question San Antonio's strategy, and it did that, but it simultaneously revealed something much scarier for Oklahoma City.

The Spurs have seemingly assisted the Thunder's offense by deploying this strategy. The idea behind doubling SGA makes sense on the surface. He's a dynamic offensive star, so you make others beat you instead, understanding he has the highest ceiling in terms of point output. However, I'd argue, and the numbers seem to back this up, that the rest of the game has been made easier for his teammates.

Spurs don't have to double Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this often

I'm not saying that San Antonio should never trap, crowd, or double Gilgeous-Alexander. That would be crazy. They should do it sparingly, though. Teams like the Lakers and Suns would need to implement that style more often because they don't have the personnel to defend him straight up. That's not the case for Mitch Johnson's club.

Think back to the meetings between these two in December. One of the most impressive revelations of those Spurs wins was discovering they didn't have to double Shai. Switching was plenty effective. De'Aaron Fox is the shortest player in the rotation, and he's 6'3" with a 6'6" wingspan. His ability to move his feet, get under his opponents, and play with active hands makes him a solid defender.

That's the "weakest link" in that chain. Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant can all take turns on the two-time MVP with varying degrees of success. As long as they continue to play with discipline, they'll be fine. He'll score at times, but they can make him work for it while limiting his teammates' effectiveness.

Right now, all the Thunder's role players have to do is be ready. When the trap comes, SGA is getting the ball out of his hands quickly, finding the open man, and forcing the defense into early rotations. The longer your defense has to rotate, the more likely it is to falter. Similar to the Spurs, one of OKC's biggest strengths is their depth, so if the strategy is to make those guys beat you, they just might.

If the Thunder only look unstoppable once the Spurs start overreacting to Gilgeous-Alexander, that's an incredible sign for San Antonio moving forward. The deeper implication behind ESPN's graphic is terrifying for OKC because the Spurs clearly have the personnel to guard the MVP without breaking their own defense.

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