OKC Thunder Saturday practice roundup

The OKC Thunder have now had a practice with all their players, with the exception of Victor Oladipo. Lets check in to see how they are going.

Billy Donovan

Watch Video Here – Source Oklahoma City Thunder – Billy Donovan

On Victor Oladipo

Coach Billy Donovan opened saying that Victor Oladipo may not join the OKC Thunder on the entire road trip. Fortunately the trip ends today, with a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Rather than risk him doing further damage on a flight, he has been left back in Oklahoma City to receive treatment. Hopefully Oladipo will be back for the return game against Portland on the eighth of March.

On the backup point guard

Donovan is looking forward to using Norris Cole in the line-up. Adding an experienced player into the rotation should be good for the team.

Semaj Christon has been professional all year but Cole should add another dimension to the lineup. The bounce pass that he threw in transition to Enes Kanter from half court against Portland gives me hope.

I can see Christon going back to the D-League to gain more experience. He has been consistent but has played the way a typical second round rookie point guard does.

Mixing and matching – Chemistry

Donovan has to make sure that his mixing and matching does not cost games for the Thunder. He is excited to figure out what he has got in the new players. It is Donovan who needs to find the balance between figuring out what they have and winning versus losing.

Chemistry is the key word in all of this. Donovan would love for the new players to develop a chemistry similar to that of Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams, which is beautiful to watch.

It is crucial to work out each new players skill sets and how to utilize them the best. Simple things like working out where Taj Gibson likes the ball on court. What the screening actions that Doug McDermott likes to come off. What pick and role action does Cole like.

These are all simple concepts but are critical for a professional basketball team to work out. It can be the difference between success and watching others play in May/June.

Related Story: Doug McDermott is the answer to the Thunder starting lineup

What I loved hearing was that Donovan believes that he has a team of good guys who can get better. It feels like the team chemistry is in a good place. As he said “The more time that goes by, the more comfortable the guys will be.”

On Norris Cole

Donovan expects Cole to be the experienced veteran that he is. Cole is to run the team when Westbrook is resting. Donovan expects Cole to make good decisions and to defend. On defense, Cole is expected to pressure the ball and have good quick feet.

The addition of Cole to the line-up is pretty exciting for me. His veteran leadership coming down the stretch will be crucial to this young team. The experienced leadership choir has added another voice. Drowning out Nick Collison, Westbrook, Gibson and now Cole will be hard to do. Add the intense yet playful nature of Adams and you can see why the feel of this team is so good.

Norris Cole

Watch Video Here – Source Oklahoma City Thunder – Norris Cole

I watched the Cole video with intense interest. Apart from the incredible player profile written by the supremely talented Heather Koontz, I new very little about the man. I knew some of the player, not the man.

The interview gave me a significant insight into the mind of the man. Yes, he gave the standard athlete line “it feels great to be back.” But I believe him.

Cole showed his professionalism by staying ready when he did not have an NBA team. However, it is what Cole said next which shows the man. Cole understands that sometimes life throws shade at you. His attitude to this? “You can only control what you can control.” Cole understands that he has to be himself to get through any situation.

Must Read: Retooled OKC Thunder Roster Exudes Family Chemistry

When he was not playing professionally, Cole spent time with his family and working in his foundation. Cole is a two time NBA Champion who enjoys spending time with his family and working with the community. There is a lot to like about this addition.

For the OKC Thunder, Cole believes that he needs to be solid, especially on defense. He is familiar with the game of basketball, obviously, but needs to know the terminology that the Thunder use for plays.

Cole is used to being the player with the most energy. He then came to a practice with Russell Westbrook. The Thunder will benefit from having two high energy players running the point. Cole is certainly looking forward to playing with Westbrook.

I mean who wouldn’t?

Russell Westbrook

Watch video here – Source Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook

One of the many things that I love about Russell Westbrook is how often he is available for the media. He is also very candid about how he needs to improve himself and the team.

Westbrook sees his job as point guard is to find the shooters. A pretty simple concept, but Westbrook has been the focal point of the offense all year. Westbrook is such a professional he does what the team needs to win.

When asked how the new players were fitting in, Westbrook gave the standard response. Gibson and McDermott are professionals. The difference between Westbrook and other people saying this? Westbrook says it how it is – he does not hide behind the rhetoric.

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Is Westbrook concerned with adding three new players so late in the season? No, he is not. It is the role of the rest of the team to make them feel welcome.

The addition of quality shooters was meant to open up the driving lanes for him. Has it? According to Westbrook there has been a little more space, but defenses are still loading up on him.

There is plenty of room to grow for this team; I am confident the OKC Thunder will be a danger in the Playoffs.

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