OKC Thunder Trivia: uncovering 50 fun, surprising and random facts

Kyle Singler has a float tank.

Changing up the pregame routine is commonplace for NBA players. But, what about cupping? Float tanking? OKC Thunder player Kyle Singler has gone on record as being a fan of both.

If you’re wondering what a float tank is, you’re not alone. According to Wikipedia:

"An isolation tank, originally called a sensory deprivation tank (aka float tank, flotation tank or sensory attenuation tank) is a lightless, soundproof tank with high epsom salt  content in which the participants float in salt water at skin temperature."

In addition to floating, Singler has been reported to use numerous other alternative training techniques. For example his key preference is cupping therapy.

According to the Norman Transcript, cupping therapy is something only recently brought into mainstream American sports by Michael Phelps. Fred Katz explains:

"“The therapy leaves Singler with temporary bruises two inches in diameter covering his legs and back, too. It’s used to relax muscles before a workout.”"

Another not-so-common tradition of Singler’s is to rub an “Icy Hot-smelling substance” on his legs using a large scraper. According to Katz:

"“It’s not the team’s. Singler bought this one on his own. As he describes it, it relaxes the skin on top of the muscle so that the muscle can become more relaxed by proxy.”"