More questions than answers from OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti -5 takeaways

Insufficient answers to what went wrong:

In his opening statement, Presti said he would review the year and talk about the future and answer all the questions. The problem is over an hour later I didn’t feel like I knew much more than I did prior to his press conference.

Presti did admit the season was frustrating calling it disappointing and defining it as inconsistent. More than once he offered up the organization was satisfied with the high level of play the team had through 70 percent for the season. The issue is that 70 percent included the easiest segment of the schedule. The team failed miserably in the noted “bad March segment” where they registered a 6-13 record.

Presti noting the loss of Alex Abrines and disappointment in Andre Roberson not returning as reasons for the team not succeeding again feels like a cop out. Own the fact this teams offensive system is lacking, that there is a dearth of shooting and not addressing those situations led to the team’s demise.

To not address or own those reasons or specifically cite others feels like Presti is either unwilling to state there is an issue or to share that sentiment publicly.

In truth, it’s not a surprise as this is how the franchise operates. Things are kept internally on all fronts and expecting to get more insight from Presti is wasteful wishing. The only time we can expect a more open session will be if the team exceeds expectations. Recalling the year after Durant left for example (Westbrook’s MVP season) offered a much more optimistic press conference with ample insight.

Other areas of note:

• Earmarked style of play goals of the season was to improve defensively, increase the pace and utilizing the team’s athleticism to their advantage.
• Alex Abrines situation is still a mystery although he remains in touch with the team. Presti had expectations for a break out year from Abrines prior to his departure. All we know is it is a personal situation and the team is remaining mum on the specifics. We’ve discussed this a lot internally and feel it’s possibly a family illness or potentially something non-athletic related. Abrines did appear to be losing weight prior to his departure but that could’ve been stress related.
• Terrance Ferguson was pinpointed several times for his leap forward this season and Jerami Grant was also cited.
• Presti gave Andre Roberson major props for helping TFerg and the other young players growth saying he worked diligently with them to help advance them specifically on the defensive side of the court.
• Wesley Matthews was obviously someone the team wanted to add in the buyout market as Presti cited him. He’ll be a free agent this summer and is a career 38.2 percent 3-point shooter. That might be a hint Presti will once again try to lure him to the OKC in free agency.
• Although Presti gave a nod to Nerlens Noel in terms of helping improve defensively there was no indication made on whether the Thunder would try to retain his services. (Failure to say we’d like to keep him or even a hint at that seems to point to his likely departure).
•  Hat tips were given to Abdel Nader, Deonte Burton, Hamidou Diallo and even asset Kevin Hervey who played with the OKC Blue. Other than Nader none of these assets shoot from the perimeter well so to expect them to fill the shooting void would be overly optimistic.
•  Paul George will meet with an independent specialist to assess his injury situation with OKC Thunder medical staff in attendance.
• The only areas Presti cited as needing improvements were free throw shooting (Steven Adams was called out specifically) and the ability to convert on transition.

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To reiterate, although there were little bits and pieces offered this wasn’t a press conference which offered any major insights. Even the response of “we’ll look to improve in every way possible” or “turn over every stone” were things I could say at a  press conference and would carry as much weight.

That said, it does give me pause that Presti offered so little, even for him. Could there be more to the heart of why? Again – take this for what it’s worth because it’s simply an opinion but I wonder if this ties back to Billy Donovan. Although Presti said the plan is for Donovan to return his endorsement in the past few seasons was much more definitive. This year it felt more like he was giving a party line and there are changes coming.

If this is the case it makes more sense why Presti offered so little because if the organization planned on hiring a new coach they would want to discuss future direction and how the team would change under new leadership.

If this isn’t the case, then there is no excuse for why so little was offered.