Photo courtesy of David Ramil, Thunderous Intentions
Support Comes From All Levels
The more obvious benefit of OKC being so well-represented during Summer League is just how apparent the team’s dedication to player development is. Presti explained to me that he sees the tournament as a benchmark for their players. They commit to improving all year long and the week in Orlando serves as a way to judge how far each player has – or hasn’t – progressed.
And it’s not always about just building the Thunder. Presti pointed out that he was specifically hoping Talib Zanna would have a good showing in Orlando and perhaps latch on with another team. The commitment is to the players, which is what it should be.
There were other signs as well, like newly installed head coach Billy Donovan offering instruction during a team practice. Or when assistant coach Darko Rajakovic leans over a player to offer support as he sits on the bench. Notably, you can see it as Maurice Cheeks – back for another stint as an assistant in OKC – sits next to Payne during games and points out details that come from decades of playing and coaching in the NBA.
Again, you can look at this constant instruction as intrusion, as some critics do. But you can’t help but notice that Durant, Anthony Morrow and Dion Waiters were all in attendance and offered valuable advice. For hopeful prospects like Duke’s Quinn Cook or Zanna or 2015 draft selection Dakari Johnson, the presence of these established veterans means a great deal.
If these young players view Summer League as an opportunity to learn how to be an NBA player or to fine-tune their skills, then Oklahoma City is doing their best to help that process along.
Which is exactly what it should be.
Next: Donovan's Influence Extends Beyond Coaching