OKC Thunder: Sunday March 12th, Practice Roundup

After two straight wins, the OKC Thunder returned to the Intergris Practice center to continue to work on their chemistry.

Following practice today, the media spoke to OKC Thunder player Enes Kanter and Head Coach Billy Donovan.

Enes Kanter

On getting screens

Enes Kanter often sets up in the post having received the benefits of a screen. According to Kanter, this makes a big difference. Either Doug McDermott or Alex Abrines will give the screen. This will either create a mismatch or causes the defense to make a decision.

Must Read: It is time to start appreciating Enes Kanter

If the defense chooses to play Kanter one-on-one then he will back himself to make an easy bucket. If they choose to double team him, then the player open is either Abrines or McDermott, a lethal outside shooter, ready for the easy kick-out.

Kanter is enjoying playing with the second unit, “They are making my job easier.”

Preferences

As each player learns more about each other, there should be less turnovers. This is because they will learn each others preferences.

Kanter prefers to catch the ball away from his body. He has always liked to catch the ball this way despite his coaches trying to get him to catch the ball down low.

Since coming back from injury

After returning from injury, Kanter had to play with three new team members. He does not see this as a problem as everyone is willing to learn on both ends of the floor.

However, Kanter was very definite on the need for one thing. “If we want to go far in the Playoffs it will be with defense.”

On Sabonis

The media asked how it was playing with Domantas Sabonis, now that he is primarily with the second unit. Kanter was full of praise for the rookie. “He is so skilled as a big man.” Sabonis gives great options with his shooting and passing ability. His skill-set makes the game so easy for everyone else.

Difference between home and road

Kanter was asked what about the home –  road disparity. The OKC Thunder “should play games with the same mindset.”

Related Story: Don’t be excited until the OKC Thunder win a big road game.

The other piece of sound advice that Kanter gives is simple, “We should worry about us.” If the OKC Thunder play their own way, as well as team defense, they can go along way in the Playoffs.

Billy Donovan

Billy Donovan

On the new players

Coming out of the All-star break the OKC Thunder struggled. They added Taj Gibson, McDermott, Norris Cole to the line-up as well as welcoming back Kanter and Victor Oladipo from injury. This many changes at this point in the season is bound to lead to some bumps in the road.

Donovan has faith in the team “When you look at our team we have a lot of really really good players in my opinion.” Russell Westbrook has a lot of good players and pieces around him. The importance of “how we can gel and mesh and play together will be very important.”

Creating Offense:

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Donovan cited three playmakers who are vital to the success of the team:.

• Oladipo has the ability to create off the dribble for himself and others.
• Westbrook can create offense in a number of ways, (third in assists per game).
• The third player is Sabonis who Donovan believes has the ability to transfer the ball and possibly become the play-maker of the reserve unit.

This is vital for the Thunder offense. McDermott, Abrines, Kanter and Steven Adams all need help  others to create shots for them.

As a team the OKC Thunder need to help each other. They need to find the open man in either the half-court or on transition.