Oklahoma City's Jeremy Lamb (11) tries to block the shot of Minnesota's Kevin Martin (23) during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The Thunder has cultivated an expanding history of talented back-up shooting guards, guys who could start on most other teams, but instead serve as the offensive centerpiece of OKC’s second-unit.

James Harden created the role, branded it and eventually outgrew it. Then, Kevin Martin tapped in as a one-year stopgap, filling in admirably before bolting for more minutes and shots in Minnesota.

And now, lanky second-year guard Jeremy Lamb has slid into that all-important slot. But don’t compare Lamb to his predecessors.

He’s less established and, for now, far less feared on the offensive end. Lamb hasn’t put up nearly the points (or shots) that Harden and Martin did in OKC.