OKC Thunder: Practice Round-Up, 25-2-17

Today was the first practice for the Thunder with Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott.  Let’s check in to see how it went.

Assimilation

It is all about assimilation when a new player is added to the team. There would be very few players in the history of the game to be able to walk into a system and know it from day one. The two professionals that the OKC Thunder traded for understand this.

Must Read: OKC Thunder Trade For Gibson and McDermott

The team can help this process when they welcome a player into the fold. This is what the Thunder players did. Russell Westbrook, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams all went out of their way to welcome both new players.

Taj Gibson

The media interviewed Taj Gibson after his first Thunder practice. In response to the question of how the practice went, Gibson simply said he had tried to not get in the way. I mean, the man is a professional in his eighth season in the league. This talks about the character of the man. He was a key piece in Chicago but understands the need to learn the new system.

Video Source: Oklahoma City Thunder – Taj Gibson

Fortunately, Coach Billy Donovan understands the difficulty of learning a new system. Gibson said that Donovan kept practice simple so that the new guys could learn and be themselves.

Gibson said all the right things. He loves the team atmosphere and the defense is really locked in. Now he just want to play his part in the team. Gibson is excited about the talent on the team and thinks they could be dangerous in the playoffs.

Must Read: The OKC Thunder Trade Does Not Mean What You Think

Part of the deadline day drama is that players  often do not know that they are changing teams until the final minute. Gibson did not have any bags packed so only had a four hour window to get ready. His brother helped him pack his bags and in one of them Gibson’s brother packed a mini flat screen tv.

All in all, Gibson was light hearted and upbeat. He was probably tired but he did not show this to the media. The man is a true professional and I am glad that he now plays for the Thunder.

Billy Donovan

Billy Donovan is the man. He is a true professional and makes players welcome in the team. Where other coaches may have tried to cram massive amounts of information into the head of the new players, Donovan kept it simple.

Video Source: Oklahoma City Thunder – Billy Donovan

The concentration of practice was pick and roll coverage’s, screen angles, different screening actions and how the floor is spaced.

Donovan understands that the new players are professionals. He did not teach them how to play the game. The Thunder idiosyncrasies were his focus. He wanted them to learn the different terminologies that the Thunder use.

Related Story: Billy Donovan deserves consideration for Coach of the Year

Offensively, Donovan concentrated on getting the new player familiar with the plays that are run. This is because plays become concepts on the court. Once again, floor spacing and your position within that.

Today, Donovan tried to strike a balance between too much information and not enough. The fact that Gibson and Doug McDermott played a game before a practice really helped them understand the Thunder systems. It gave them a background to relate to in practice.

Doing something in a game day situation is always going to help the player grasp the concept in practice.

Donovan also showed that he is a true players coach. He believes that the basketball stuff will take care of itself. The two players bought in are professionals. He still takes the time to invite them out, making them feel comfortable in their new environment.

Next Game

The questioning soon turned to the next game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Donovan was particularly mindful of the fact that DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis will have had two games together when the Thunder play them.  He was also mindful of the skills of Jrue Holiday at point guard.

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The focus is now on understanding the personal and how to best defend them. In my mind, Gibson is going to make a huge difference in this game. Remember that his defensive rating was top ten back in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Must Read: Cousins trade puts pressure On Domantas Sabonis

I would rather have Gibson paired up with Adams in the front court to defend Davis and  Cousins than Domantas Sabonis. The rookie is struggling for confidence a little and taking on this combination will not help that. Sabonis is doing a great job with his energy and commitment. Gibson is an elite defender.

In my opinion,  McDermott and Alex Abrines are key to spacing the floor for this game. If they can keep the Pelicans defense guessing, Westbrook should be able to wreak havoc.