Sam Presti press conference launches tenth OKC Thunder preseason

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 14: Sam Presti, of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Thunder Girls shop for the holidays with families from the Sunbeam Family Services Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program on December 14, 2015 at Target in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is the teams eighth annual holiday shopping spree. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sam Presti held his annual preseason press conference to launch the OKC Thunder 2017-18 season.

It officially now a decade of OKC Thunder basketball as Sam Presti met with the media in his annual preseason press conference.

Presti opened his address commenting on how thrilled the franchise is to add a player of Paul George’s ilk to the team. Furthermore, Presti highlighted how excited they are to see George walking the halls and notes he will add a rare dimension to the squad. In addition, Presti commented the additions of Patrick Patterson, Raymond Felton offers maturity, toughness and reliability. The team is also excited about rookie Terrance Ferguson and what he can bring to the team.

The GM noted the return of quality individuals like Nick Collison and the obvious excitement over Russell Westbrook returning after his MVP season. He notes players like Dakari Johnson and Josh Huestis who’ll be stepping up to the varsity squad. There is also excitement over the youngsters who’ve worked to progress their games this summer.

Patience is a virtue:

Presti notes with so many new players, fans need to be patient as the squad will take time to find a natural flow and develop chemistry.

Areas to improve:

The key areas Presti noted the OKC Thunder need to improve are:

focus on not turning ball over
lower fouls and opponent free throws
lower uncontested layups
half court and transition defensive improvements
improve ball movement specifically before attacking defense

At this point progress will come via a versatile group with major upside. Presti feels the teams’ dynamics, age, toughness and versatility will be key as the Thunder focus on getting better and specifically on creating strong fundamentals.

Media Questions:

The first question was how Presti and the team felt about Kevin Durant’s recent shade.

Of course Sam Presti took the high road saying he nor the organization have anything negative to say about Durant. Everyone has tremendous respect for him.

Concern over Russ not signing extension yet.

Westbrook has until October 16 to sign the extension and Presti said they will let the situation play itself out. The OKC Thunder remain hopeful Westbrook will sign by the due date. The follow-up was how desperate the situation becomes if Westbrook doesn’t sign by the 16th. Again, Presti somewhat dodged the question saying they would wait until the 16th prior to addressing any future moves.

In addition, Presti notes the franchise will keep their eye on the ball and how Durant dealt with his contract season was a perfect template to follow.

How last season will help this year in terms of the big roster changes.

Sending laughs through the media throng Sam Presti said “Paul George will help a lot”. “Last season was an important season for the organization and franchise.” Presti notes how proud he was of the team, noting Westbrook specifically in terms of his leadership and how he chose to deal with the situation.

Presti praised the coaching staff and noted growth from Alex Abrines, Doug McDermott and Jerami Grant and how the coaching staff utilized them late in the year.

Asked whether Donovan will always have one of the two stars on the floor:

In general the size and length Donovan can use is exciting notes Presti. He further opines who gets to guard the top opponent between George and Roberson will offer an intriguing opportunity for Donovan. Notably, Presti avoided answering the specific question.

Alex Abrines bone bruise, Westbrook PRP injection:

The team will be cautious with Abrines bone bruise and not rush him back. Presti took this opportunity to note they’ll also be cautious with Patterson’s return. The surprising injury note was news Westbrook had a PRP injection in his right knee (patella tendon). It was noted this is not anything serious and not related to a previous injury. Westbrook will miss the first few days of camp though to allow time for the injection to work.

Can you win without a team full of super stars:

“History shows you can“, notes Presti. He further added the league is in transition and will continue to do so based on rule changes and although he avoids the word it’s clear he’s implying “trends” since many teams tend to follow the leader.

First impressions of Paul George:

He’s a mature guy, Presti notes what he takes away is his maturity, stability and confidence. Clearly the team, players, management and franchise are excited about all the components George offers.

Draft lottery reform:

There is a significant effort on the part of the league to address the perception of tanking. Presti says you have to trust the process to highlight the issues are being handled properly. He notes there are a lot of big issues the NBA needs to deal with.

Expectations for how George and Westbrook will mesh:

Asked if Westbrook will have an easier go with George having already played with a super star (Durant), Presti was quick to say there will still be a feeling out period. However, the GM did cite how many qualities George brings to the court. Presti further noted how well the two complement each other and the similarities they share like both possessing a killer instinct. Other things Presti noted was the myriad of tools George possesses, he almost said George is under appreciated but he backed off that statement to take the high road (ever the diplomatic Sam).

Enes Kanter issue with travel to Mexico and Canada:

There is work being done behind the scenes by the league, but no resolution has been determined yet. All Presti would state specifically was it wasn’t in the OKC Thunder’s hands, but the NBA would do everything in their power to find resolution before the games in Mexico and Toronto.

Westbrook’s growth as one of the faces of the NBA:

A reporter noted how far Westbrook has come since his rookie season and cited all his talk show appearances lately have him becoming not just the face of the Thunder, but potentially the face of the NBA.

Presti said as thrilled as they are by Westbrook’s growth it would be unfair to say they expected what he blossomed into. He further highlighted Westbrook’s commitment, work ethic and character are things that punctuate what makes him so unique. The organization feels fortunate to have gone on this ride with Westbrook. Presti noted how unique an individual Russell Westbrook is and cited things beyond his ability to his passion for fashion, his Why Not charity and just what a wonderful person he is.

Where does Westbrook go from MVP triple-double season.

Of note, Presti felt as great as Westbrook was last season physically he felt his true growth was his mental improvements. Further, he notes Westbrook improved over the course of the season evolving as the team needed. With the changing circumstances Presti is confident Westbrook will figure out a way to personally improve while also helping the team improve.

Thoughts on rule changes:

Sam Presti was on the competition committee who comes up with what needs to change. This season the two areas referees will be focusing on are close outs (think Zaza Pachulia on Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs) and players creating contact for free throws (the Harden rule). Presti believes great players will figure out a way to get advantages. This is probably in reference to Harden who repeatedly gets to the line for what shouldn’t be a shooting foul.

Will the NBA address tampering:

Apparently there is nothing being discussed at this point with a specific emphasis on tampering. Presti notes the league will always focus on the integrity of the league and that will dictate which ares take precedent.

Western Dominance and playoff structure:

More from Thunderous Intentions

Sam notes since he’s been in the league the West has been the superior conference. He feels it’s difficult to create more wins when you are one of the teams trying to gain leverage against what he calls “the bear” (the West). Sam Presti is an advocate for the top 16 teams being the playoff seeds instead of eight from each conference. Though Presti does note playing better squads also makes you a better team.

Apparently Adam Silver has discussed the limitations of going with the top 16 teams instead of it’s current method. Presti does feel it would limit tanking and improve competitive balance.

OKC Thunder 3-point shooting improvement:

Sam Presti notes the team had four guys under 24 who shot 38 percent or better. Although they lost one in Victor Oladipo they’ve added George and Patterson. He feels internal growth and development is important. Specifically the GM who notes “on paper” the team is better, but they’ll need to wait to see what the season brings. Further, Presti notes how open the players are plays a factor which again speaks to the need for better ball movement to create uncontested shots.

Paul George trade a calculated risk:

Asked to expand on why Presti felt the trade to obtain Paul George wasn’t a risk. Presti said when you have the opportunity to add a player of such rarity you have to take the chance. He believes the OKC squad showcased a big upside last season, but adding George allows them to improve exponentially immediately. Players like George are generally added via the draft so Presti says any trade of this nature has to be viewed as a calculated risk to obtain one of those rare talents.

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