OKC Thunder Sunday practice roundup

Mar 5, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Norris Cole (30) in the second half at American Airlines Center. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Another practice for the OKC Thunder; this time Norris Cole and Billy Donovan talked to the media.

Billy Donovan

Watch Video Here – Source Oklahoma City Thunder – Billy Donovan

Coach Billy Donovan is a realist…I guess you have to be to succeed as an NBA head coach. It is easy to see that Donovan is happy that he has been given an upgraded OKC Thunder team post All-Star break. He also knows that good things take time.

This thought takes me back to the 2014-15 season. The Cleveland Cavaliers added a reasonably talented player. His name? LeBron James. He had just come back from the Miami Heat, having won championships with them. Why am I taken back to this time?

Because the Cleveland Cavaliers added LeBron and they were not performing up to expectations at the start of the season. That season ended up pretty well for Cleveland. They ended up losing the NBA Finals if you remember.

Must Read: Five reasons why OKC Thunder fan should NOT start panicking

I am not comparing Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott or Norris Cole to LeBron James. This just highlights the difficulty of transitioning into a new system with new teammates, even for the greatest player in the world. For me this says there is still hope for the OKC Thunder this season.

The Importance Of Time Together

Donovan knows that you have to utilize every single available moment to practice, including shootaround before a game. This is the only time that he has had with the new players to learn the timing, execution, spacing and screening on offensive plays. In very simple terms, Donovan knows that the OKC Thunder have to get better. He needs time to get the team working together.

Related Story: Getting To Know Norris Cole

It is the same on defense. Most players understand pick and roll coverage. The new players need to understand what they are doing when they are not involved in pick and roll defense. Where they are to stand. Who they are guarding.

Donovan talked about finding a vision for the team. Playing with a clear identity that the new players can relate to and play towards.

One problem for the team is the amount of comings and goings within the team. It is not just the new players. The rotations and rhythms of the OKC Thunder have been affected by the injuries to Enes Kanter and Victor Oladipo.

The positive? Donovan has a team of good character guys who happen to be good players.

Norris Cole

Watch Video Here – Source Oklahoma City Thunder – Norris Cole

After playing some games with the OKC Thunder, Cole said that it was a little like riding a bike. It is the rhythm of the game, the rhythm of the team that he needs to find. The upside of this for the OKC Thunder? Cole is doing everything that he can to fast track it.

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Coming in as a point guard is incredibly difficult at this point of the season. Cole needs to learn the preferences of his teammates. It is Cole’s job to manage the team when he is on the court.

According to Cole the toughest part is learning what the coach wants. Fortunately for Cole and the OKC Thunder, Donovan has communicated this effectively with Cole.

Donovan has simplified his coaching message for the new players. He has had them studying film, trying to fast track the learning.

The plus side for Cole is how much he has learned from doing walk throughs. I believe that Cole and the new players will be so much better when they have full practices with the team.

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