OKC Thunder in the news for September 23 features player previews and more insight from Presti on Steven Adams, Nerlens Noel and Dennis Schroder.
One more sleep until all your favorite OKC Thunder arrive for Media Day and then training camp on Tuesday. OKC Thunder in the news focuses on TI’s initial player previews and a bit more insight from Sam Presti’s media session.
Season Previews:
Tomorrow the players will arrive and take to the podium as the official OKC Thunder Media Day commences. Thunderous Intentions will provide top line comments from the players. The day after training camp begins, albeit without Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson on the court. That won’t stop Billy Donovan from establishing specifics within the team’s planned identity and system this season.
As the team nears preseason play and the regular season commencement on October 16 versus the Golden State Warriors TI will roll out our season previews. In case you missed the initial previews here’s the menu of what we’ve published so far:
- Super Star: Russell Westbrook
- Poised to take another leap: Jerami Grant
- Rookies: Hamidou Diallo, Devon Hall, Kevin Hervey
- Training camp invites: Donte Grantham, Richard Solomon
OU Medicine and OKC Thunder partnership:
Earlier this week the OKC Thunder announced they are entering a 10 year partnership deal with OU Medicine who’ll work with the franchise. The companies share a common vision of innovation and community. As for the dynamics of how it will affect the team directly OU Medicine will work closely with the Thunder medical team. It’s anticipated OU will provide knowledge and resources to enhance player training and support in treatment and care.
For the full press release visit the OKC Thunder main site.
"The Oklahoma City Thunder and OU Medicine today announced a unique and innovative 10-year partnership in which OU Medicine becomes the official healthcare partner of the Thunder. Under the agreement, OU Medicine will join with the team on a number of organizational, medical and community initiatives. Thunder Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Danny Barth and OU Medicine President and CEO Chuck Spicer made the announcement."
More from Presti media session:
Although Rylan Stiles hit all the top line takeaways from Sam Presti’s session with the media on Thursday, the GM provided additional insight on three players:
Dennis Schroder the Defender:
Presti, as he often did during the presser pointed to the number of players on the team well short of their prime. Although the GM was hesitant to speak in specifics he suggested the 24 year old Schroder’s ability to drive will be utilized and presents the team with another playmaker.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Presti pointed to the German’s defensive chops noting the initial benefits he’ll offer may well be on the defensive end of the hardwood. The bar appears to be high as Presti suggested Schroder can be a high level defender and the hopes are within OKC’s system and players he’ll be surrounded by this will be a natural transition for him.
Nerlens Noel the passer:
Yes he can run fast and block shots – but OKC are anxious to put his passing skills into the mix. Flashing back to the when Enes Kanter was still donning an OKC Thunder jersey it offers hints to what perhaps Presti and Donovan may be thinking. Prior to his mix-up with a chair Kante had TI discussing his point-center possibilities.
I’m not suggesting Noel fulfills that specific role, but the bench was just beginning to find it’s groove post Durant prior to chair-gate. After the injury the reserves never rediscovered that chemistry. With Dennis Schroder in the mix the combination of the duo offers room for optimism.
Steven Adams is still five years from his prime:
Presti was quick to point to the fact Steven Adams has returned each season progressively growing and adding nuances to his game. The Magician GM re-iterated several times the OKC center is still just 25 years old.
Perhaps that seems like a throw away, but Presti has a valid point. Centers have historically taken the longest of the positioned roles to reach their true ceiling. At 25, Adams is well shy of that apex which also speaks to the future core of this group.
‘That wraps up OKC Thunder In the news for Sunday, September 23. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and be sure to check in with us tomorrow as we’ll be serving up all the highlights from Media Day.